Customer Reviews

Choreographed Man of War

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While perhaps not the ideal spot to come into GBV/Pollard saga, it rewards the diehard listener. I never considered myself a fanboy but with this release it has become apparent that I just enjoy Bob's take of rock which condenses the 60's and 70's punk/alt into a tasty frappe which is as much about nodding towards the past as it is about giving a personal stamp. Man of War filters the post big label sign-up lo-fi of Kid Marine, the album which this one shares the core band with, and older GBV articles like Vampire on Titus and Propeller. In other words a garage rock mixed metaphor buffet that car-crashes prog-rock whimsy with proto-punk directness. Two points of interest - The collapse of the pollard's personal life lends the album a more direct, almost confessional tone. And the military metaphors have a unexpected edge due to current events. But like all great works, these minor details do nothing to detract from the pure rock genius you find here.

For those who need highlights, there is plenty. From the Who style stomp of "I drove a tank" to the shambolic intensity of "Edison's Memos", from the sinewy stop-start of "40 yards" to the one-two post alien lanes push of "citizen fighter" and "kickboxer lightning", Man of War is a solid release. Ideal for those alienated by the arena rock of Isolation Drills. For the obssessed, all I have to say is "In Bob, We trust."

My header is supposed to be both funny and sad. Though I am a fairly new Guided By Voices fan, since buying Isolation Drills, I have rabidly scooped up everything from Pollard and Co. I can find. I don't remember being so into a band since I first got into REM in 1983. Though this album seemed to be one of Pollard's throwaways, I bought it based on the reviews I read. This is definitely a great one. From the first strains of I Drive a tank, you know Pollard is going to deliver. This song sounds more like vintage Who than the Who do now. Pollard pulls off his Daltrey imitation without flinching and the halting guitar chords are pure Townshend. Other highlights are Edison's Memo, Citizen Fighter and the butt kicking Kickboxer Lightning.

My personal fave Bob solo album. I admit, I am a GBV freak, but something about this solo record is really special to me. The chord choices are a little sadder, the songs a little more emotional and the sounds a bit more atmospheric than your average release by this artist, and the overall effect is an emotionally satisfying listen. Bally Hoo is particularly cool, in the way it incorporates two earlier songs from the album into its arrangement. Edisons Memos has a beautiful arrangement as well. Aeriel is simply gorgeous. This is a great record.

"Play some rock and ro-oool yeah!"

This is going to sell to the usual limited group of Pollard fans (GBV) and pop music fanatics... so reviewing it is not really required.

Yes it's a good record; the guitar work is textured like I can't remember him doing recently, so that's nice. The words are always funny and sad and just plain odd, which is why we're all here at Mr. Pollard's feet, we love him for just that.

Unfairly ( Because life is not fair ) it won't sell like a Sting Record or Dave Mathews, but as we already know it's better than anything ever done by them...Keep going Bob, we need you.

but he does it so well. another great song cycle by the master. buy it for edison's memos. it alone justifies the purchase. and the rest of the songs are real good, too. 7th level shutdown is another standout.

this is a different kind of record, the sound is muddy in the midrange yet the playing is tight and bob's vocals are in great form. you really owe it to yourself. and uncle bob could always use you support. so join the soft rock renegades today and help destroy the unbelievers!

If you're a GBV fan, you know that ANYTHING Bob Pollard puts out is gonna have a few duds, some playful weirdness, and some absolutley INCREDIBLE SONGS. In this case, the winners seem to be: Edison's Memos, 7th Level Shutdown, and Kickboxer Lighting. After all this time, and the relative success of GBV, Bob can still put together something that makes you feel like you've uncovered a lost recording by an unknown, schizophrenic songwriter. The performances are too flawed for the average consumer, but they're so endearing and unique that it makes their power ten-fold. As far as the feeling of the songs and their sound quality is concerned, I think this bears the closest resemblance to "Not In My Airforce." Not quite as good, but damn close!

This album teams Robert Pollard with ex-GbVers Greg Demos who plays bass and guitar (on three tracks) and Jim MacPherson on drums.There are songs that rock in that sort of anthemic Robert Pollard sort of way;I Drove a Tank, Edison's Memos,Citizen Fighter.There are songs that are sad; 7th Level Shutdown and the hauntingly beautiful ,Aerial.Each one of these songs is unique and has a killer hook delivered with heartfelt sincerity.Robert Pollard and his Soft Rock Renegades know how to rock.Let them show you.

This album is simply awesome. As he continues to release mild albums with different musicians, he always seems to get it right when he's with his homeboys. On this one, the chemistry between he, Greg Demos and Jim McPherson clearly shows and each of their own natural tendencies for kicking rock melodies and rhythms shine through. The songwriting is inspired and it has just the right mid-fi crunchy sound. They sound like they're having fun, which I can't say as much for most of the stuff Bob has released since then.

The one-two punch of citizen fighter and kickboxer lightning (along with the cool quick-cut transition between the two) is one of the best things he's done.

Get this album.

One of my favorite songwriters ever, Bob Pollard, has released another couple of gems among a collection of throwaways. I dont understand the many requests for Bob to abandon the newly polished sound (Isolation Drills) and return to low-fi. He still puts out about 10 low-fi albums a year. The problem with much of his new material lies in the song-writing not the production. In any case, every album is worth having for the inevitable couple of brilliant tunes. If you are a GBV/Pollard addict like myself, pick this up. If you can borrow this from someone, borrow it and burn it.