Another Man's Blood

Taken from "Superman Was A Rocker" 2008

"Working and slaving
for another man's blood
Working to save up
For another man's blood
Build up a future
For another man's blood
Working to save up
For another man's blood

It's good for the blood
Of another man

It's good for the future
Of another man's blood

Blood and bondage
And future
Saving
Not living
Slaying
Not giving
Not given
Forgiven
Not giving

Working and slaving
For another man's blood

It's good for the blood

It's good for the blood
of another man"

Dark and Grinding with muffled and spooky vocals. I'm not a massive fan of some of Mr Pollards experimental songs and this is certainly not one of my favourite songs. Again, a song where I'm sure the lyrics turn up in a "proper" song.

Bomb In The Bee-Hive

Taken from "Mag Earwig" 1997

"Here I go around the blame
Here I go with hand over flame
Down on the floor at 9:00
A scene not fully recognized
At precisely 9:00
Here I go with clapping hands
Here I go with "still no plans"
Illuminate the mystery
The film is not for view
The film is not for you."

Good song from Mag Earwig but not one of Bobs best. Sort of middle era, middle of the road Bob and doesnt really build to its potential. Lovely thrashy ending though with some great guitars and drum rolls.

Each Is Good In His Own House

Taken from "Moses On A Snail" 2010

Lyrics Unknown

A standout track from the 2010 Robert Pollard Opus "Moses On A Snail". Deceptively simple and achingly beautiful song. Robert Pollard can capture a certain whimsical mood like no other. The lyrics make sense yet make no sense whatsoever but get under your skin. Wonderful.

The Lodger Carried A Gun

Taken from "Suitcase 2" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

A gentle rustic track. A Pretty song that sounds a bit early REM (obvious cheap parallel). Beautiful.

I Share A Rhythm

Taken from "Suitcase 3" 2009

Lyrics Unknown

A quickly strummed track, stuck together with sellotape and nails. I'm sure Bob is freestyling as he goes along, trying to get the sound right, to get some phonetic connection to the "real" song that will come later after a little work.

A Farewell To Arms

Taken from "Suitcase 1" 2003

"A farewell to arms
A man with his charms
???
???

You can die if you want to
You can live in a penthouse ???
???

A farewell to arms
A jacket in with his charms
Another man with a ???
A farewell to arms

Every boy ???

A farewell to arms..."

Isnt this a Hazzard Hotrods songs? My Pollardian mind is reaching here. Muffled vocals over a slinky groove. Words are not clear but this is song has a fantastic feel to it. An enigma.

Volcano Divers

Taken from "Fast Japanese Spin Cycle" 1994

"Volcano divers
Volcano divers
You got a lot to say
But hey don't say it
So much reported and
So much distorted
Divers
Volcano divers"

Now I've heard of some Extreme sports.... Great classic sounding GBV. Simple but brilliant sound with a screeching guitar that mysteriously appears halfway. Short and sweet.

Smothered In Hugs

Taken from "Bee Thousand" 1993

"In the summer that you came
there was something eating everyone
And the sunshine fund was low
We couldn't greet you with a simple hello
And the watchers of the flood were busy in their chambers
Making sure there was new blood to sustain their dying veins

But I believed you
No need for further questioning
I'm gonna leave with you
You can teach me all you know
Which way will we go now on our trip to taller windows
I really don't know now
I really don't know

In the winter that you left, there was business as usual
With the same old fears and frustrations
But the word got out, it was really such a pity
But the judges and the saints and the textbook committee
Decided you should be left out - not even mentioned

But I believed you
No need for further questioning
I'm gonna leave with you
You can teach me all you know
Which way will we go now on our trip to taller windows
I really don't know now
I really don't know"

ahhhhh. A GBV classic. A relentless throb of wonderful goodness. Downbeat and sad but uplifting and beautiful all at the same time. Who are the Textbook committee?

I'll Get Over It

Take from "The Grand Hour" 1993

"During the initiation
Please refrain from conversation
Leave your opinions at home
Put your cigarettes out
I've been thinking a lot
I might have difficulty
I've lost my insensity
But I'll get over it"

Lumpen beginning but 60s garage sounding lo-fi shorty from Bob & Co with crashing rolling drums and howled vocals.

Roofer's Union Fight Song

Taken from "Not In My Airforce" 1996

"For every wild weekend
The roofers cry
Under the underdog bullwhip

A "Nothing For Granted" requested
Abusing the signal
Went forth the student of mystery

Out there in the way - let's waste him
Show him the teaching tool
Only "No Ones" get through the gate
...not in my airforce"

Very 70's sounding guitar lick and some wailed Bob vocals. Bob loves planes doesnt he?

To Remake The Young Flyer

Taken from "Under The Bushes Under The Stars" 1996

"To remake the young flyer
yes we must define his high desire
stand erect and not detect
the anythings that we could not admire

from a long line of highmen
number one, is that the one to send?
to restore all the trial
this and then the national pride so proud

a question to the lunatic
does your day seem like night
does your world go to heaven?

gallant men dash forth
he takes his place
he ends the laughter of the slaughter daughters
takes his softness from his hand and goes

to remake the young flyer
yes we must define his high desire"

A wonderful Tobin Sprout song with a very distinctive guitar sound. Languid and beautiful from the classic Guided By Voices album.

Psych Threat

Taken from "Brown Submarine" 2008

Lyrics Unknown

Propulsive. A great Boston Spaceships song with a real sing along refrain. Really kicks in halfway through and launches into a very Sex Pistols like garage rock/punk melody. Bob is having fun. And so are we.

Lizard Food

Taken from "Ringworm Interiors" 2001

"Challenge your stamina
save your breath
challenge your weakness
this is a test
superior broadcasting
extend your feelers
who are we out there?
Up there or under?
The brush of death
lizard food grandfather smoked it"

The usual early Circus Devils rumbling and screeching sound with hollered vocals and a swirly tune. Not a favourite composition.

The Year Nobody Died

Taken from "Bad Football" 2007

""I can’t compete
With the flies in the street",
This she cried

Drank all the beer
Nothing left in the year nobody died

I made it to runaway
I’ll make it to Airway

Pushed to the hills
With your suicide pills
It’s all right

In Metro state
Saving time is impossible
I made it to runaway
I’ll make it to Airway

On last report most folks agreed it was a good year"

Quite a melancholy song from the usually upbeat Takeovers. Again, looking forward to old age and death. Beautiful song.