Customer Reviews

Fiction Man

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

 

 

I generally buy every thing Robert Pollard puts out, whether it is GBV, solo, or any of his many side projects or bands and numerous material he puts out. No person can write better melodies than him. He is simply the best. I don't know how he comes up with some of these songs. They are amazing. Fiction Man is just what you expect, lo-fi, rocking, crazy lyrics, strange song titles, etc. It is not easy being a GBV fan. Alot of his stuff is difficult to listen to. But he always manages to have a few gems out of the bunch. "I expect a kill", " The Louis Armstrong of Rock and Roll" are great and "it's only natural" is my favorite Pollard song since "Frequent Weaver Who Burns".Also, after a few listens, "Conspiracy Owls" will sound spectacular. It's sad GBV is putting out it's last album this coming August. But as long as Pollard keeps writing songs, solo, or other bands, I'll be happy. I'll give this album four stars. This is worth buying for any diehard GBV/Pollard fans.

The freshest and popiest Pollard solo project in a long while, Fiction Man is nothing less than astonishing. And, the record is another shining example of how much Guided By Voices only fans are missing by not plumming the depths of Pollard side, solo, and collaborative projects. Not only are the trademark hooks and stiring melodies of all Pollard penned tunes in evidence, but an incredibly dense sound layering and zesty musicianship is put forth by Todd Tobias, GBV producer and apparent rennaisance man, playing all the instruments and tweeking all the knobs. Especially shocking in its weird metal heaviness is "Trial Of Affliction And Light Sleeping", my personal favorite so far. If you love GBV, or are just curious about this prolific and gifted artist, give Fiction Man a try.

even with the breakup of gbv, these 31 and change minutes of music shows that pollard still has alot to offer. it won't strike you at the first listen, just like any other gbv/pollard release. but try it after 5 listens and it will scortch your soul.

as GbV were running out of steam, this record comes as a bit of a surprise. it rocks like coreographed man of war, it's got the melodies of kid marine and very little of the fray that showed on eathquake glue and half smiles of the decomposed. the only thing keeping this from a five and a half star review is the lack of that one unbelievably great song. conspiracy of owls comes close, but no cigar. infinitely better than its predecessor, motel of fools.

I like to call myself a Pollard/GBV dude from way back, although some fans might find it travesty when I say that I only became a fan after seeing them on Austin City Limits. (I was even at the Pine Knob Lollapoluza (sp?} in 95 I believe. Had no idea who these guys (all Pollard's many faces) were at the time....Anywho, now I'm the expert....

This one: Give Three/four good listens and it sinks in....Trippy.....

While your at it, check out the latest by Bob Pollard. This is as good as anything he has done as a solo project, although they are ALL stupefyingly brilliant.

SOme seriously orgasmic moments in this, particularly the stuttering rocker "Do it Paradise Style". THe opener, "RUn son Run" is also a winner, as is "Conspiracy of Owls" and "Its only Natural."

Cant get the tunes out of my head- as is always the case when new Pollard material comes out.

THis guy is just too damn good. Its ridiculous. He is a veritable fountain of tuneful goodness rocking your world and infecting your brain.