Customer Reviews

Guided by Voices: A Brief History: Twenty-One Years of Hunting Accidents in the Forests of Rock and Roll

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Hunting Accidents" is an enjoyable read, but it leaves the GBV mystique almost completely intact. It's hard to say whether this was Greer's intention or if he was limited in scope because of editorial constraints. For new fans, it's a great introduction. Between this book, the music (obviously), and assorted press on the band, new fans have a jumping off point that most of us lacked when we first heard the band. As an overview, this book succeeds. Greer doesn't dwell on any one era of GBV's career. But, again, this is both an attribute and a hindrance. The benefit is that "Hunting Accidents" is a quick and easy read. The drawback is that hardcore fans, especially those who have seen "Watch Me Jumpstart" and kept up with GBV over the years, will be left wishing for more depth and content. I, for one, am disappointed that at least 1/3 of the book is essentially a reprint of the much more complete online discography at www.gbvdb.com. I would have liked more text--including more songs in the chapter where Pollard analyzes random titles from his vast catalogue. That section was the most rewarding part of the entire book, totally countering the allegation that Pollard's songs make no sense. The other exciting portion of the text is the anecdotal segments about "The Monument Club." To me, this explains Pollard's longevity and prolificacy: He has a musical, social, and familial support system that allows him to refuel creatively whenever he wishes. He takes the seemingly mundane and makes it extraordinary. This conclusion is understated in the text, but, to me, it is the book's greatest accomplishment.

Overall, this is a pretty informative, quick read. However, being a longtime, diehard GBV fan, I would have liked to have known more about the recording of the various albums, as well as have more time deveoted to some of the other important characters in the group, namely Tobin Sprout and Mitch Mitchell. I think their stories are as essential to the success of GBV as Pollard's songwriting and vision for the band. The book just felt like too much Bob, not enough everyone else. Having met Bob on a number of occasions, I would say that he describes his personality fairly accurately (both good and bad points). Also, being an educator myself, I would have liked a little more to that storyline. Not for the novelty of it, just because I think it's great that someone in my profession can actually do this. It's amazing to me and Pollard has always been one of my heros because of it. Anyway, a worthwhile read either for the novice or the longtime fan.

A must-have for the members of various Guided by Voices fanclub/cults such as Postal Blowfish, Disarm The Settlers and Strong Lions. Spouses/significant others who have been amused or abused by the band and their fanatic following will no doubt enjoy as well.

And if reading the above paragraph makes no sense, then you Must Buy this book. Compulsive GbV fans of course will HAVE to get a copy, but others should read if they want a glimpse into the story of Wondering Boy Poet Robert Pollard. A great xmas gift for the indie music fan.

It is interesting to read the different reviews here. I think the criticisms reveal more about the critics than the book. I agree with the following shortcomings: not enough about the musical process, approach, and details of album making. (Bee 1000 is a masterpiece and it is good to hear from Pollard's website that a scholar is devoting a single work to the album.) Even if Greer is a "yesman" as a reviewer suggests, he still provides fruitful insights and titillating minutae that the lay-listener enjoys (see the praising reviews). Of course, the worshippers and indie-obsessor's already know all of these minutae and so are rather demanding. So, another book, less "inside," is certainly in order; one that reveals more about the specifics of Pollard's musical process. But give Greer a break! He's provided a nice resource for the unobsessed.

I was excited to read this book since being turned onto Guided By Voices about 5 years ago. I was reluctant in a way to read this because a bandmate of mine who is the biggest GBV fan I know said after he read it he hated Robert Pollard. I was taken back a bit but after reading this book I can see why. On the other hand I can see why he was the way he is and why he's the songwriting genius he is today. The book should be called "Robert Pollard and his Band of Friends or Enemies." The guy was a stuck up jerk at times but did things his own way and if it wasn't done his way you're out. Its a great book to get an insight from band members, label heads and desriptions of shows from beginning to GBV's very end. A great band and book depicting what they were about during recording, rehearsals and live gigs. Who was with it and who wasn't. Most of all its a look into the life of Robert Pollard and his loytalty to his friends and the integrity of the band whoever was in it at at the time. If your fan of the band check it out. Only downfall is the 30 pages waisted on the list numerous GBV records and other releases. Overkill if you ask me.

Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard has been involved in the rock scene for over twenty years, has been compared to Paul McCartney to Rossini, and has staged live rock performances which stand out from the crowd. Written with exclusive cooperation from Pollard, GUIDED BY VOICES: A BRIEF HISTORY delves into his music and the vast circle of rock musicians which have contributed to his development. From the band's many incarnations to Pollard's constantly changing sound, no better coverage is available.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I doubt I'll say much of anything that hasn't already been said in Thomas Mitchell's spot-on review...but here goes: I do love GBV. They're undoubtedly one of my two favorite bands since the Replacements, The Pixies, and Husker Du broke up (yeah...I know...Pixies are back together...I saw 'em...they're still great...blah blah), second only to Book of Kills. That's why I was a little disappointed in this book. Author Greer admits that this is a 'brief history' of the band and that's precisely what it is. It's more or less a glorified primer that you can probably read in two hours. I was severely disappointed, however, at the lack of substantive information concerning the making of GBV's great albums. Even Bee Thousand merits very little in the way of revelatory information concerning how it was written, recorded and produced. I understand, of course, that most people don't particularly care for detail along the lines of Mark Lewisohn's brilliant book on the Beatles' recording sessions but that's what I was hoping for. Too, if you've followed GBV over the years, you'll find nothing here you didn't already know...lots of interesting quotations from various people within the GBV circle but other than that nothing. Still, since this is the only book on Pollard and his band, I recommend it with reservations.

This is a pretty good book, sez this non-obsessed GBV fan. Greer's intro was too cute by half, and fortunately he tones his writing down a bit for most of the book. Unlike other reviewers, I found Greer's fawning was balanced by many examples showing that Robert Pollard is a flawed individual. I enjoyed the contributions by Pollard's son. I didn't think much of the analysis of songs because Bob's answer for half of them is that they were about nothing. One correction for the author: The Denver show at which Buffalo fell off the stage was not held at night or in a club; it was held in late afternoon in a parking lot. I was there.

"Hunting Accidents" is a poorly written, poorly researched and poorly structured disappointment from a sychophant former band member. Robert Pollard is a great songwriter and musician, and based on a handful of encounters I've had with the man, a very nice guy. But he is not Jesus Christ. Whether James Greer is unaware of this this, or Pollard's camp wouldn't allow a more balanced portrait, I don't know. But the sickening level of butt-kissing on display here makes it impossible to take even the good bits seriously.

Not that I need dirt neccesarily, though the trail of ex-friends Pollard has left in his wake suggest a selfish streak Greer is unwilling to follow. I'd just like more information on Pollard's art and less about his group of jockish drinking buddies back in Dayton. (Seriously, Jim, are you trying to impress us with your seat at the cool kid's table?)

How does Bob write songs? How often does he write them? What inspires him? How did he adjust to touring after living in one place for so long? How will he approach his art as his 50th birthday looms? I don't know, because Greer doesn't delve into these (seemingly) important topics with any depth. Also, why take Pollard's "I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk" fuzzy logic at face value? Shouldn't a biographer push a little more, and try to find out what lies beneath the subject's claims?

Have I mentioned how poorly this is written? Never have I read a book where the author tries so pathetically to justify his own cliches. (Heres's a tip, Jim: Don't mock your crappy writing, improve on it in the editing process.)

Again, I think GBV is a great band. But this book is indicative of how Pollard surrounds himself with yesmen rather than honest critics that will prod him to do better.

Here it is. One volume with a large enough slice of the trials and tribulations of the indie rocks own musical cornucopia, Robert Pollard. This book traces GBV from first to last, including coverage of the legendary last show (New Year's Eve 2004/Chicago). The book is witty, funny and easy to read. The introduction is written by the director of "Traffic" and is one of the most original and entertaining introductions I have ever read. For those of you that love Bobby & GBV, this is essential. For those of you who don't know them "Come on, come on, the club is open."