Motivational Jumpsuit
In terms of Guided by Voices albums, of which there are more than many, 2014’s *Motivational Jumpsuit* is a notable one. It\'s filled with songs that appear to have made the cut as opposed to just having been written during the time since the last one. Both Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout are writing at the top of their capabilities here, and while “Save the Company” starts with a lo-fi crusty guitar, the supplementary guitars come forward with a meaty bassline to solidify the attack. Sprout’s “Jupiter Spin” captures the beauty of low-key psychedelia. Pollard’s “Littlest League Possible” announces itself with a brash insistence. “Go Without Packing” speaks to the Syd Barrett end of Pollard’s late-\'60s troubadour phase. Since the band’s “reunion” in 2010, they’ve been trying to better their ‘90s selves—and the ghost of *Bee Thousand*, their “breakthrough” record of sorts, has been the measuring stick. Anyone who spends enough time with “Record Level Love,” “I Am Columbus,\" and “Calling Up Washington” will surely have another key reference album in the band’s overwhelming catalog.
While indie rock icons Guided by Voices' recent albums—five in two years—have by no means tarnished their legacy, they haven’t exactly expanded upon it either. So it goes with Motivational Jumpsuit, though it's the shortest and strongest of the recent batch.
While indie rock icons Guided by Voices' recent albums—five in two years—have by no means tarnished their legacy, they haven’t exactly expanded upon it either. So it goes with Motivational Jumpsuit, though it's the shortest and strongest of the recent batch.
Guided By Voices is currently in the fourth year of its “classic ’93-’96 lineup” reunion. And if there is anything particularly heartening to be gleaned from this new epoch, it’s that GBV seems determined to recreate the prolific creative output of their most vital era, even if that output amounts to photocopied…
Guided By Voices is currently in the fourth year of its “classic ’93-’96 lineup” reunion. And if there is anything particularly heartening to be gleaned from this new epoch, it’s that GBV seems determined to recreate the prolific creative output of their most vital era, even if that output amounts to photocopied…
GBV's fifth post-reunion album in two years sees the band playing to their strengths. The conclusion is electrifying.
GBV's fifth post-reunion album in two years sees the band playing to their strengths. The conclusion is electrifying.