ergo space pig wrote:

What makes this record significant in my mind, aside from having a handful of great songs throughout, is what it represents to the Pollard career arc: this was when he really started to say "fuck it" and let go of his more rational impulses. He started to go with a more "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" approach. Which, as any GBV fan knows, is exactly when things started to get interesting. This was the sound of Pollard finding his own true voice.

ergo space pig wrote:you're really, really, really missing out. Listen to Alien Lanes.

My favorite GBV album and, in fact, one of my very favorite albums of all time.

ergo space pig wrote:Speaking of GBV, I can't believe I forgot this one.

One of the strangest albums I've ever heard.

That is a great cover.

pete worst wrote:

ergo space pig wrote:

What makes this record significant in my mind, aside from having a handful of great songs throughout, is what it represents to the Pollard career arc: this was when he really started to say "fuck it" and let go of his more rational impulses. He started to go with a more "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" approach. Which, as any GBV fan knows, is exactly when things started to get interesting. This was the sound of Pollard finding his own true voice.

I agree with that 100%. Though Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia was almost as important to me because that seems to be where he really developed his songwriting skills and made the first really good front-to-back GBV album.

Disasters that I love regardless:


Undermines everything they've ever done

Terrible what the fuck glam nonsense

Badly produced, terrible drumming and plodding songs

ergo space pig wrote:Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia was almost as important to me because that seems to be where he really developed his songwriting skills and made the first really good front-to-back GBV album.

Agreed back atcha. A bit more controlled, but a true GBV album nonetheless. On all previous albums, it was much more obvious who he was trying to emulate with each song.

Anyway, I love that band. I can talk GBV all day long.

pete worst wrote:I can talk GBV all day long.

"Do the Collapse" was a mess due to Ric Ocasic's production but I do so love that album. "Strumpet Eye", "Optical Hopscotch" and especially "Surgical Focus" are unbelieveably great songs.

"Vampires on Titus" is still my favorite GBV but, except for "Liquid Indian", "Do the Collapse" is a great disaster.

fancyjamtime wrote:"Do the Collapse" was a mess due to Ric Ocasic's production but I do so love that album. "Strumpet Eye", "Optical Hopscotch" and especially "Surgical Focus" are unbelieveably great songs.

"Vampires on Titus" is still my favorite GBV but, except for "Liquid Indian", "Do the Collapse" is a great disaster.

I take issue with some of the sequencing on that album, but maybe I'm still just a little frustrated by all that was going on in the GBV camp at that point. Mag Earwig is a killer album, but I saw the Cobra Verde line-up and that was really hard to take. By the time DTC came out, Pollard had some proving ground to cover in my mind. I was slow to embrace it. Meaning, it might've taken me a few months.

pete worst wrote:

fancyjamtime wrote:"Do the Collapse" was a mess due to Ric Ocasic's production but I do so love that album. "Strumpet Eye", "Optical Hopscotch" and especially "Surgical Focus" are unbelieveably great songs.

"Vampires on Titus" is still my favorite GBV but, except for "Liquid Indian", "Do the Collapse" is a great disaster.

I take issue with some of the sequencing on that album, but maybe I'm still just a little frustrated by all that was going on in the GBV camp at that point. Mag Earwig is a killer album, but I saw the Cobra Verde line-up and that was really hard to take. By the time DTC came out, Pollard had some proving ground to cover in my mind. I was slow to embrace it. Meaning, it might've taken me a few months.

Heh, same here. "I am a Tree" is a fucking howler but it isn't a GBV song to me.

Mr. Chimp wrote:Land Speed Record by the Husker Du

seconded.


The Dead C can be a bit of a mind fuck for those who do not know what they are in for.

pretty much every Heavy Winged release and rerelease.

Mainliner Mainliner Sonic

Magik Markers cdr's, which are always hit and miss, have this 'quality' to them.

ergo space pig wrote:

great album.

ergo space pig wrote:

great album.