When I told a friend, a wry central Ohioan steeped in Guided by Voices lore, that I'd received the new Best of CD for review, he replied with a knowing grin, "Which volume?" In that remark lays the essence of GBV, those hard drinking, hard writing and recording rockers: they have so many great albums and songs, to cull a "Best Of" compilation seems to be an almost silly exercise.
Assuming there are more volumes in this series to come, the Human Amusement at Hourly Rates installment is a good place to start, whether for newcomer or sage. The GBV discography is a mile long (literally, check out their website) but what has settled here - 32 songs in total - are some of the most dynamic and hard charging that front man and beer swigging power pop guru Robert Pollard has penned. While it is hard not to comment on what is missing ("Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory" and "Hold on Hope" to name only two from the list) it is pleasing to see that more obscure tunes like "Echos Myron", "To Remake the Young Flier" and "Exit Flagger" get their due representation. Whether the completist's argument that GBV needs to be undertaken one album at time might is valid or not, weed through the monumental discography is a daunting task. This album gives away the keys to the kingdom right off.
The treatment of "Teenage FBI" on Human Amusement at Hourly Rates is wildly different than the single version, shorter by a verse and recorded with punchier percussion. Otherwise, these are the true to life version, either album or single of more than 30 songs from a catalog that knows no bounds. Pollard is enigmatic and engaging, but more importantly, he is almost to a fault prolific. If there is a Best Of Guided By Voices II, then I'll be first in line to buy it. |