GUIDED BY VOICES – LET’S GO EAT THE FACTORY

Indie rocks favorite Uncle Bob is back. After calling it a day in 2004, Bob Pollard and Guided by Voices have decided to give it another go. Those with a cruel bent might point to the lackluster response to Bob Pollard’s solo recordings as providing the impetus to reform GBV (especially as he fired the whole band at one point), while the more kindly disposed would say that Pollard, despite being the main drive behind GBV, has always needed a band of some form around him to inspire his best work. Here on Let’s Go Eat the FactoryGBV present a band that has wandered back into the studio, casually picked up instruments cast aside seven years ago, and started playing again. There is rust, be assured, and a lo-fi approach that is more reminiscent of their earlier work rather than the polished grunt of Isolation Drills. But there is also a playfulness that is no more evident than the glorious God Loves Us. Written and sung by guitarist/keyboard player Tobin Sprout, when he sings “We ate living proof that God loves us” could he be talking about Uncle Bob? An album that will be welcomed by fans and enjoyed by others, even if it is not a triumphant return, it is a good return.

*** 1/2