Local Mix-Up / Murder Charge

Taken from "Same Place The Fly Got Smashed" 1990

"Rimming an ashtray - face in the light
Local mix-up, someone fix up what we broke up
The pleasure seekers are out there tonight
Local mix-up, someone fix up what we broke up

You as a person have got to think fast
Cause this is a party that's not gonna last
And this is the same place the fly got smashed

Dress him Dress him Dress him Dress him
Dress him Dress him Dress him like a queen

..."

Early GBV with changing tempo's and style. Sort of doom-indie at the start but then suddenly skips up to a cheerful chorus. Shows the early potential of Bobs writing and stretches to an epic 6 minutes and 40 seconds. "And that's the Electrifying Conlcusion he sings". How apt.

Dedicated to Anthony Wilson, music mogul and founder of Factory Records who sadly died today of Cancer. RIP.

When She Turns 50

Taken from "Same Place The Fly Got Smashed" 1990

"The tavern's open again
The line-up who light up will surely decide the fate
Of these incorrigibles
Who plaster their messages up on the interstate

When she turns fifty
I might be dead

But acting happy again
Go singing his songs about rush-hour traffic jams
When the vodka kicks in
A night at the Rockies
Digging in for the slam

When she turn fifty
I'll bake the bread
I'll bake the bread."

A lovely soft song from early Guided By Voices, just Bob and an acoustic guitar and a whole lot of feeling. I love the internation of "Rush Hour Traffic Jams". The song feels like a women in her middle ages looking back on her life and looking forward with a sort of wisfulness. Nice.

Blatant Doom Trip

Taken from "Same Place The Fly Got Smashed" 1990.

"Jill and Viki liked to drag out,
Doin' the negative thing like Crips,
Ain't no angels in this part of town,
Take me on a blatant doom trip, yeah,
Take me on a blatant doom trip,
We'll go down and smell around,
Take me on a blatant doom trip
So outrighteous, no time to back out,
Obey all commands at the crack of a whip,
I don't care if the rain causes pain,
Just take me on a blatant doom trip, yeah,
Take me on a blatant doom trip,
Sonic boom - Legion of doom,
Take me on a blatant doom trip
Scags, fags, and scalliwags blackout,
Far too serious and socially hip,
Figure it out when it's over without a doubt,
And take me on a blatant doom trip, yeah,
Take me on a blatant doom trip
Bottomless hole - Rock and roll,
Take me on a blatant doom trip, yeah,
Bottomless hole - Rock and roll,
Take me on a blatant doom trip, yeah"

Going way back in time again to an early Guided By Voices recording from 1990. This song starts off quite darkly and with a certain level of menace but eventually grows and seems to flower and expand into a more delicate song about halfway through. Is it a song about escaping the small mentality and discovering Rock N Roll and breaking free? Could be. Good song.