Customer Reviews

Motel of Fools

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

 

 

The first time I heard this I thought I'd finally found it. A truly unworthy Robert Pollard/GBV release. The first impression you'll get is "where's the tunes, Bob?". Songs begin with odd a capella chants, strange vocals and weird conversations. But after quite a few repeated listenings you will find what you love about Bob which is a truly masterful grasp of the joy of pop music. This time Bob has thrown us for a loop but songs like In the House of Charles Augustus, Red Ink Superman, and Harrison Adams finally shine through and give you "that feeling" you get when you discover a Bob gem.

The brevity of this recording is made up for with quality songwriting and soulful playing/singing. There is some filler here consisting of ambient sounds, drunken party banter and demonic slowed down tape, but it works well in the context of the record. One of his best solo records, for sure!

for those who thought the pipe dreams EP was an indicator of where Mr. Pollard was heading with this one, grab hold of something sturdy...we're going for a ride. my wife, a big GbV fan herself, doesn't like this one. all the reason to buy it and mystify a loved one today. not for beginners. that's what the proper GbV records are for. god bless bob. may he forever challenge the listener with difficult music like this!

Brilliant.
Robert Pollard is at times a jester but more often than not a sage. And this, as all his solo releases, are full of revelations wisdoms and foul truths. Forget GBV. Seriously. Revel in Robert Pollard. He takes my breath away again and again...and more so with each listen.
Not in My Airforce, Waved Out, Kid Marine, Motel of Fools. Here is the essence.

Want some, get some, wake up and meet my team.

Again, (my) album of the year. Thank you Mr. Pollard.

Hard to sum up Robert Pollard's songwriting in few words, but i'll try: messed up! This is a challenging record, with no discernable "style", but it is a tremendously interesting listen. There are quiet moments, loud moments, poorly recorded moments (like most of GbV's albums!) and, above all, a lot of catchy moments. You may find this record has a lot of sounds and riffs found in other GbV songs, but it's hard for Pollard to come with 100% new ideas, considering he must have used every meoldy imaginable already at least twice!
Good record, love it. If you LOVED "Do the Collapse", you'll hate this! (i.e. good for all true GbV/Pollard fans)