Sunday 23 September 2007

Boxing About

Taken from "Normal Happiness" 2006

Lyrics Unknown

The vocal version of the "Bubble Song" is a wonderful acoustic mini-epic with a catchy melody and some great vocals. One of my favourite "Normal Happiness" songs.

Saturday 22 September 2007

My Valuable Hunting Knife

Taken from "Tigerbomb" 1995

"I want to start a new life
With my valuable hunting knife
She will shine like a new girl
And I want to shout out our love to the world (Hit it!)
Everything I think about I think about
Everything I talk about I talk about
With you
But you don't know what I go through
You don't know

Days, they will turn into nights
But my valuable hunting knife
It will not rust through the tears
And it will not lose its appeal over years (Come on!)
Everything I think about I think about
Everything I talk about I talk about
With you
But you don't know what I go through
You don't know
I'll never know
I'll never know
And then I will run
And then I will. . .
And then I will hide
And then I will. . .
And then I will run
And then I will. . .
And then I will hide
I'll never know
I'll never know"

This is the more controlled remixed sounding version. I think I prefer the Alien Lanes version as it more Rocking but this version does have the advantage of the hand-claps and the way it explodes into widescreen after a rather quiet start. This song is a GBV classic and has some of my happiest GBV memories attached to it. Why wasn't this song heard by everyone on the planet? Why wasn't it a universal hit? Why oh why?

Father Is Good

Taken from "All That Is Holy" 2006

Lyrics Unknown

Is that a Who song at the start? Psycho and the Birds are a strange proposition and feels like a Suitcase and a half type project. Lots of Bob snippets and outtakes with added production. Polished up offcuts if you will. This is actually a good song but suffers from the PS&TBs problem of indecipherable vocals.

Waved Out

Taken from "Waved Out" 1998

"Corroded lime I chased
From my old window world
Seemingly like an ancient demon
Waking up and waved out

Class examples of an onioned diagram
I’m here to follow footfalls
Of a wasted plan
I’ve been waved out

And next there comes a positive post
The options aren’t so good
Plus once the intervention begins
It’s painful

Forgive me, I must go
I’ve been waved out
I’ve been waved out"

A choppy and rocking title track from "Waved Out". A Lo-Fi rock song. Short, Sweet and perfectly encapsulated.

Safer Than Hooking

Taken from "Sgt. Disco" 2007

Lyrics Unknown

The latest Circus Devils is way more accessable that previous efforts and the songs are actually catchy and have hooks and are even uplifting sometimes with the odd chink of light shinging through the black experimentation. Bob vocals are strange gravelly at the start of this and the music is great with a wobbling bass and a spanish guitar playing over the panther like melody. Good.

Powerblessings

Taken from "Kid Marine" 2000

"Release the hand that has you writing numbers
For these plans are broken into leaves
And powerblessings for all the kids who come over
How they know is into you
How they know is into me
And have you no horse to carry
you through December?
Get it somehow tediously broken
Breathing summer into faces of life
And into everyman’s gift going through
Powerblessings to you and all of you."

One of the most memorable Guitar sounds at the start of this song backed with a sci-fi keyboard sound. Again, a song that is simple and effective and dripping with atmosphere and feeling. I really like this son. A lot.

Shoddy Clothes

Taken from "Suitcase 2" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

Sounds like its from early GBV days with vocals that veer from John Lennon to Liam Gallagher (so, not much then?). Quite a multi layered song considering it was recorded so early in the bands development. Like the drum sound and is kinda catchy. Good.

Rhoda Rhoda

Taken from "Normal Happiness" 2006

Lyrics Unknown

Now this more like it. A cheerful and catchy classic Pollard solo song. Simple but effective. I wonder how many song titles feature women's names in Bob songs?

Raw Reaction

Take from "Pinball Mars" 2004

Lyrics Unknown

The spooky experimental world of the Circus Devils. This song begins like something from a David Lynch movie and then a piano plonks away and Bob vocals phase in and out and we get a nursery rhyme type repetition and then the band explode and their instruments are blasted all over. I don't mind Experimentation. If it didn't happen music wouldn't progress and would be boring and I can even take the odd bit of random crashing and discordant nonsense but some Circus Devils stuff leaves me a bit cold. A prefer brightness in my music, a bit of a hook, some harmony and a lot of Circus Devils stuff doesn't have this. Are these songs written or are they free form clashes and we see that lands on the plate at the end. PS There is actually a bit of proper music at the end of this 5 minute fuzzfest.

Unstable Journey

Taken from "Vampire on Titus" 1993

"The poised tongues on easy street
Are shifting and delivering
The insidious snakes/the hackers and the meat
Are counting out the face of things
I know when you bring back sweet Dougy's? car
You don't tell him where it has been
He's funny and cool and so is your pose
Conditional love wins out again
I'm feeling good and I don't know if that's alright
Deep in the rot I can't distinguish day from night
But all of it will transpire
Transactions made through the wire
Kiss me while I still speak
Hold me as I'm too weak
Enjoy it...delusions
Pushing closer to the rush
Opening and closing
You recognize me--feel the hush"

This song reminds me of Sebadoh in big chunks. Its fuzzed up and the chord progression and the vocals are pure Lou Barlow. Maybe more Sentridoh, May more Sebadoh. There is a really good song in amongst all the feedback and an old gem when American Indie was proper lo-fi and obscure. Hail the days of Pavement and Sebadoh.

Peroxide

Taken from "Selective Service" 2001

"Man infected like railroad series
Man infected like tinsel
Man infected as socialite
Man infected remembers
As it so decides the sights he sees
As he redirects one's energies
Like commercial sequences

Man infected like lighter fluid
Man infected by sign language
Photon radio camp ostrich
Man enticed by rice - OK?

As it decides the signs he reads
as it redirects his efficiency
select another frequency"

A real garage swagger to this song that strangely fades away as you are just getting into it. The crazy Bob and his fade button. Would have loved to have heard the full version of this song or did it fall apart toward the end.

You're Killin' Me

Taken from "Suitcase 2" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

A great little song from Bob and his acoustic guitar. Show just how Bob can pick up a Guitar and create a great song, very catchy, well sung with great lyrics and then just chuck it away. Awesome talent.

Selective Service

Taken from "Selective Service" 2001

"Beyond honky hearts
In the bengal lunch
Where distributors launch
A thoroughbred party
Madly they bite at the
Beauty of life
All forgiveness included
And fuckin' shit that
Requires insight
Strenuous
Laborous
Don't preach, reach!
You know God loves you when you try
Of the same blood that stirs
Making men mean
Wake up fresh
And take a rake
Give up the blues
Let's build something less fake"

The title track from the "Selective Service" EP that features both Guided By Voices and Airport 5, both Bob bands. A great spoken word piece with just Bob and a Guitar and a strange bit of feedback fuzz in the middle. Good stuff.

The Great Blake Street Canoe Race

Taken from "Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia" 1989

"Jumping around
Thinking about our daily lives
Here on the ground
Falling apart before our eyes
News is not news
Learn something old every day
Issues repressed
Morning's we fake our minds away

Chorus: Oh please don't misuse this information now
Oh try not to swallow too much pain, it's only order

Rushing through time
Following footsteps out of here
Signals ahead
Better repay your debts this year
I guess I'll go
On with my sad and troubled ways
Hands on my hips
Questioning each and every face
Chorus"

What was the Great Blake Street Canoe Race? Sounds like a fun event to see. This is classic early sounding Guided By Voices but that odd follow production sound but a good song and the early sounds of the Indie Rock Monster that GBV was to become. Nice song.

Cox Municipal Airport Song

Taken from "Suitcase 2" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

The sound of the guitar at the start of this reminds me of early Smiths and the whole thing has a a mid to late 80s British Indie band feel to it. Nice song that could almost be a Sundays song. There is a strong hook here and a good feel to it and should have made it onto a major release thank god it was found and put on a Suitcase album.

Butcherman

Taken from "Crickets" 2007

Lyrics Unknown

A rarity from "Crickets". Strange vocal style from Bob here as he grunts and gravels a short jagged strummed track. Im not sure what I think of Bob vocal experimentation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it sounds a bit contrived.

Frozen Vegetable Fiction

Taken from "All This Is Holy" 2006

Lyrics Unknown.

Another song title that sounds like it was put through the magic Pollard word generator. A simple acoustic song with Bob mumbling something over the top. Hints at a tune and lyrics but mainly a grey fog of music. Does have a nice sort of build up sound toward the end which is quite nice.

Forever Since

Taken from "Life Starts Here" 2002

"With crystal clear misery
I've grappled with the ever since
With heavy headed assurance
I'm reminded of the ever since

And into the phantom lake
Goes a firefly's innocence
Been there forever
And I've suffered or whatever
Been there forever since
With crystal clear misery...

In the dome of collision
We have little assurance
That the next day
Will grant clearance
A guest appearance"

I love the poetry of this first verse of this song. Quite lovely. This song is a basic Airport strip down of Bob, Guitar and a Drum and has an almost John Lennon lilting feel to it. A really good song tucked away on a wee Airport Five album. You sometimes wonder if they got some of these songs, stuck them through the Industry Production house, polished them up and set them out for the masses if they would be Top of the Hit Parade all round the world. Just a thought.

Bulldog Skin

Taken from "Mag Earwig!" 1997

"I played the part
I played the start
I made a table out of clay
I placed my hands upon the plans
I waited for a proud display
I played around
I heard the sound of certain trouble on the way

I got bulldog skin

I took a car
I drove it far
I dug the quality of steel
I crashed my nerve
I made it swerve
I made it back - was no big deal
I tasted blood
A date with scud
And now I don't know how to feel

I got bulldog skin"

This was one of Guided By Voices biggest hits but personally not one of my favourite songs. It has its moments but there is something very basic and Oasis about this song. It is classic rock and roll I suppose but it just doesn't do it for me. And that video, that annoys me too.

Mice Feel Nice (In My Room)

Taken from "Tigerbomb" 1995

"I won't put that in my mouth no
It is a fright with that neon light
The Hollywood magic men
Back up in their caves
Ooh at the raves
And the cake can't say
The weepers from the way
Baby it's all right
The night is long and cold as ice
But it's all right, baby it's all right
There's a pink little area
The regions of my disease
And it is good
It is good
Mice feel nice
Ooh mice feel nice
You know mice feel nice ooh"

A strange psychedelic track but also quite souful where Bob sounds a bit like Joe Cocker. On first listen this isnt good but it has really grown on me as something a bit different from the Pollardmiester. I love his "ooo,oooh"'ing. He got Soul.

Monday 3 September 2007

Subspace Biographies

Taken from "Waved Out" 1998

"Has there been a break today,
Stoned comedian Ringo?
Should I put the plates away?
Captain, are you sure they’re coming in?

I am quail and quasar
I picked you up on radar
I do my job each day
Empties crushed and fired away
And there is nothing worse than
An undetermined person
Can I abuse you please
In my subspace biographies?"

One of my favourite songs because it has a real momentum and builds into quick and epic song. Its also has a Sci-Fi feel to it, well it does to me anyway and I'm a bit of a Sci-Fi Geek. Almost Epic towards the end.

Sunday 2 September 2007

Night Of The Golden Underground

Taken from "Fiction Man" 2004

"Hey, when her misery
Is conqured - how sweet
I'll stay looking
I'll seek
Above and under
Pass up the night
The love and the devil
The fight

Follow her into it's world
Up to the heart of it's town
Away from the night of the golden underground

On it where you press your cheek
The original floor where to sleep
Or just above and under your feet

What I can't give you
What I can't see"

A great song from "Fiction Man" that really captures the Pollard/GBV sound that I like, Sort of 70s rock sounding, sort of wistful, sort of uplifting, sort of different, all sorts really. Its hard to put your finger on it. Lovely stuff.

Saturday 1 September 2007

Are You Faster?

Taken from "Suitcase 2"

"Near a distant sea
Her clear yellow eyes
Are opening to pink and black skies
And soon they are blinking
With compound camera eyes
Are you faster
Than the eyes of the car-people?
Styled in silver
Are you able to roam
Faster then the lighthouse keeper credits you?"

The demo version of the Mag Earwig song and part of the aborted Power of Suck project. I'm sure some of this song is used in "I Am Decided" which Bob gave Kim Deals "The Amps". A more straight forward electric guitar and vocal demo version than the one that appears on Mag Earwig.

Breadcrumbs For The Whales

Taken from "I'm A Stronge Lion" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

A rareish B-Side that starts with a short acoustic section before it fades out and the song starts proper. A quiet moody piece from Bob with just a single pluck and staccato vocals. I suppose Whales wouldn't mind Breadcrumbs, would make a more filling substitute for Plankton.

Children Come On

Taken from "Fiction Man" 2004

"Children come on
Scratch the case
The eggshell dark
The seed
The architectural nightmare

Not the job of real people
Whosoever sees
We are not making things easier

And we are now speaking now
Stars and dust are spreading out
We must be proud
To be here now

Children come on
Seize the hour
The wrinkled point of view

Information leaking clear
To the outer atmosphere
A change is gonna come real time
The rain is gonna sun will shine
Into my life unknowingly
Thinking of you only
Where I'm not so lonely
Anymore"

I think Fiction Man is a very under-rated Pollard release before he went totally solo as it contains some great songs, such as this one. Just Bob and a Guitar and some subtle sounds. Very catchy and classic sounding verse and chorus.

Wondering Boy Poet

Taken from "Vampire On Titus" 1993

"Dream on child of change
Throw your javelin through the sun
Pierce the heart of everyone
Though we push to slave the days
This is not reality, this is just formality
The cup is only being filled
For a chance to have it spilled
Flowing--just like the days
Sailing--just like the days"

A great little song which has very low production values but high emotional values. I think I prefer the piano version you can get hold of on Suitcase.

Is She Ever?

Taken from "Tonics And Twisted Chasers" 1997

"Is the ever with intent when she likens herself to a crow?
Will she crow and say bingo?
"I'm a believer" she tells me
But is she ever going to cry
When the directors bark from out there in the dark
Fly sister vibrate - you were automatically free
The moment you came to me
Is she ever coming back to me?
Is she ever coming back to me?
Say it loud and we shall see
Is she ever coming back to me?"

This song could fit quite snuggly onto Bee Thousand as it has a similar sound and production. It perhaps doesnt quite hit the glory of some Bee Thousand tracks but is still pretty good. Nice.

Thelonius Has Eaten All The Paper

Taken from "Five" 2005

"THELONIUS HAS EATEN ALL THE PAPER
AND MEMOS IN HER AREA OF GLARE
HER PEACOCKS HAVE ESTABLISHED
QUITE THE DREAM REALM
HER ORIGAMI SKYHAWKS OVER THERE

STILL MORE HAIR
WAIT THERE’S STILL MORE

A KINGLY POST OF TEA CUPS FOR THE SHINING
A ZEPPELIN OVER CHINA FILLED WITH FLIES
AND HELMUT SHIPS RETURN FROM WHAT I KNOW
FOR BRINGING HER HER SEAMAN IN DISGUISE

STILL MORE LIES"

A Pollard A Day has become a bit irregular recently due to a busy life but I'm back with a batch of Pollard songs. This song is quite nice and is basically just Bob and a keyboard swirling away with some very strange lyrics. I used to eat paper at school. It was strangely tasty.