Advertisement

Album reviews Music

Guided By Voices – Let’s Go Eat The Factory

Rating: NNN


Few bandleaders are as prolific as Robert Pollard, so although it’s been 15 years since the demise of Guided by Voices’ so-called “classic lineup,” fans have never wanted for new material. However, when the lineup responsible for 1994’s Bee Thousand and 1995’s Alien Lanes announced they would reunite for some shows, the immediate question was whether they would record.

Let’s Go Eat The Factory is the first of two scheduled albums from the reformed band, and while it fails to match their previous hit quotient, it’s still a decent listen. Doughnut For A Snowman and Laundry And Lasers are pure Pollard, matching absurdist lyrics with catchy melodies. And guitarist Tobin Sprout has a couple of lovely ballads, including Who Invented The Sun, to balance Pollard’s bravado.

There are some definite weak spots among the 21 tunes, including The Big Hat And Toy Show, a lackadaisical blues jam that sounds like it was made up during the recording sessions.

Top track: Who Invented The Sun

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted