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.

Solid Gold

Taken from "Bigger Trouble" 2005

Lyrics Unknown

A gentler song from the Hazzard Hotrods, whereas as the rest of Big/Bigger Trouble is a long boogie/jam this is probably the one that sounds most like traditional Pollard. A lovely melody to tug on the heart strings.

I Found The Black Mind

Taken from "Ataxia" 2008

Lyrics Unknown

A spooky Lynchian nightmare from Robert Pollard and the Circus Devils. Conjures up images when I listen to it; Twin Peaks. Dark swishing Trees. Twilight. Wonder where this darker side of Pollard comes from?

14 Cheerleader Coldfront

Taken from "Propeller" 1992

"14 cheerleader cold front
put your nose beyond
creeping boys in alleys
(find them when your gone?)
stick close to locker rooms
and (waving clothes to wear?)
you will hold them dear
to something (queer and stare?)

16 used companions
have nowhere to stay
give them access to parking spaces
no coin meters there"

Perfection. Nothing else to say really.

Atom Eyes

Taken from "Under The Bushes Under The Stars" 1998

"i'm dreaming and so it must be true
nothing else could look as good as you do
and so in a rocket go
up to where the astros flow into space
don't hold me down

atom eyes, don't worry your brain
take a break from everyday
sell the house, the car, the pain
(just be sure to live again)
atom eyes

i'm running away from your clues
atomizer sprinklers are spraying perfume
escape a lobotomy
there's a million heartstrings ready to fly
let's pull them now

atom eyes, don't worry your brain
take a break from everyday
sell the house, the car, the pain
(just be sure to live again)
atom eyes

atom eyes, don't worry your brain
take a break from everyday
sell the house, the car, the pain
(just be sure to live again)
atom eyes"

A classic from classic era-GBV. Sort and beautiful but full of punch and drive. The Beatles would have been proud to have written and sung this song. Good stuff Tobin. Wait no Pollard today?

Sylph

Taken from "The Planets Are Blasted" 2009

Lyics Unknown

Quite a slow song from The Boston Spaceships who usually mode of transport is speedy Garage Rock. This song would fit quite nicely on a Robert Pollard solo album. Its got a nice swingy sort of chorus and definitely makes you feel happy when listening to it. Again, a good song. In case you were wondering ; Sylph (also called sylphid) is a mythological creature in the Western tradition. The term originates in Paracelsus, who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air, his elementals of air.

Star Peppered Wheatgerm

Taken from "Ringworm Interiors" 2001

"(so long) to sonar (goodbye) to confidence
star peppered wheat germ
dark colonies erratic constellations
compile your filthiness in a balled up corner
star peppered wheat germ like dust
and fragmented waiting so long"

3 Random Words. Is there a machine somewhere that comes up with these titles? A slow track that reminds me a bit of Rodan or Slint or something of that ilk. Tempo picks up a bit at the end. Not bad.

Hello Forever

Taken from "All That Is Holy" 2006

Lyrics Unknown

Im sure this turned into a "proper" song, or at least the backing did. Bob sort of makes "word-noises" over a synth led track. Good song.