Guided by Voices
Half Smiles of the Decomposed
(Matador)
Robert Pollard’s rise from teacher to middle-aged alt-god has kept the rock star fantasy alive in us all. Though he will continue his prolific output in other guises, it is sad to see the final pages turn on GBV. Any of the last four albums could’ve served as a swan song, but Half Smiles is befitting because it touches on all they’ve been over the last 21 years: sloppy indie rock drunkards, Who wannabes and full metal jacket rock stars. In essence, typical GBV fare.
—Dave Hayden
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.