[.ca] Guided by Voices

Sigh:
"Hunting Accidents" is a poorly written, poorly researched and poorly structured disappointment from a sychophant former band member. Robert Pollard is a great songwriter and musician, and based on a handful of encounters I've had with the man, a very nice guy. But he is not Jesus Christ. Whether James Greer is unaware of this this, or Pollard's camp wouldn't allow a more balanced portrait, I don't know. But the sickening level of butt-kissing on display here makes it impossible to take even the good bits seriously. Not that I need dirt neccesarily, though the trail of ex-friends Pollard has left in his wake suggest a selfish streak Greer is unwilling to follow. I'd just like more information on Pollard's art and less about his group of jockish drinking buddies back in Dayton. (Seriously, Jim, are you trying to impress us with your seat at the cool kid's table?) How does Bob write songs? How often does he write them? What inspires him? How did he adjust to touring after living in one place for so long? How will he approach his art as his 50th birthday looms? I don't know, because Greer doesn't delve into these (seemingly) important topics with any depth. Also, why take Pollard's "I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk" fuzzy logic at face value? Shouldn't a biographer push a little more, and try to find out what lies beneath the subject's claims? Have I mentioned how poorly this is written? Never have I read a book where the author tries so pathetically to justify his own cliches. (Heres's a tip, Jim: Don't mock your crappy writing, improve on it in the editing process.) Again, I think GBV is a great band. But this book is indicative of how Pollard surrounds himself with yesmen rather than honest critics that will prod him to do better.

a nice resource for the unobsessed:
It is interesting to read the different reviews here. I think the criticisms reveal more about the critics than the book. I agree with the following shortcomings: not enough about the musical process, approach, and details of album making. (Bee 1000 is a masterpiece and it is good to hear from Pollard's website that a scholar is devoting a single work to the album.) Even if Greer is a "yesman" as a reviewer suggests, he still provides fruitful insights and titillating minutae that the lay-listener enjoys (see the praising reviews). Of course, the worshippers and indie-obsessor's already know all of these minutae and so are rather demanding. So, another book, less "inside," is certainly in order; one that reveals more about the specifics of Pollard's musical process. But give Greer a break! He's provided a nice resource for the unobsessed.

Human amusements:
This is a pretty good book, sez this non-obsessed GBV fan. Greer's intro was too cute by half, and fortunately he tones his writing down a bit for most of the book. Unlike other reviewers, I found Greer's fawning was balanced by many examples showing that Robert Pollard is a flawed individual. I enjoyed the contributions by Pollard's son. I didn't think much of the analysis of songs because Bob's answer for half of them is that they were about nothing. One correction for the author: The Denver show at which Buffalo fell off the stage was not held at night or in a club; it was held in late afternoon in a parking lot. I was there.

Robert Pollard and his Band!:
I was excited to read this book since being turned onto Guided By Voices about 5 years ago. I was reluctant in a way to read this because a bandmate of mine who is the biggest GBV fan I know said after he read it he hated Robert Pollard. I was taken back a bit but after reading this book I can see why. On the other hand I can see why he was the way he is and why he's the songwriting genius he is today. The book should be called "Robert Pollard and his Band of Friends or Enemies." The guy was a stuck up jerk at times but did things his own way and if it wasn't done his way you're out. Its a great book to get an insight from band members, label heads and desriptions of shows from beginning to GBV's very end. A great band and book depicting what they were about during recording, rehearsals and live gigs. Who was with it and who wasn't. Most of all its a look into the life of Robert Pollard and his loytalty to his friends and the integrity of the band whoever was in it at at the time. If your fan of the band check it out. Only downfall is the 30 pages waisted on the list numerous GBV records and other releases. Overkill if you ask me.

No better coverage is available.:
Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard has been involved in the rock scene for over twenty years, has been compared to Paul McCartney to Rossini, and has staged live rock performances which stand out from the crowd. Written with exclusive cooperation from Pollard, GUIDED BY VOICES: A BRIEF HISTORY delves into his music and the vast circle of rock musicians which have contributed to his development. From the band's many incarnations to Pollard's constantly changing sound, no better coverage is available. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch