"Let's Go Eat The Factory": The Return Of Guided By Voices

At first, it may sound like a little bit of an over-reaction to discuss the current “comeback” of Guided By Voices. Sure, the band's last incarnation hung up their boots on New Years' Eve in 2004, but GBV leader Bob Pollard has hardly stopped producing music, having released dozens of albums since that point. What makes the new album “Let's Go Eat The Factory” noteworthy is that it represents the return of the so-called “classic lineup” that recorded “Bee Thousand”, “Alien Lanes”, and “Under The Bushes, Under The Stars”, a trifecta that represents what many believe to be the best era of the band.  A one-off reunion show in Las Vegas to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Matador Records turned into a reunion tour which has now spawned an album.  With 24 songs clocking in at a total of 41 minutes, “Let's Go Eat The Factory” adheres to the short and snappy “let's get it done” workman's ethic that defines this band. This album marks the return of the less polished, scrappier vibe that was missing from the last few GBV records as the band worked with people like Rik Ocasek and chased a slicker sound. As with a lot of Guided By Voices records (and the myriad of Pollard side projects), you'll find songs you absolutely adore and songs that you may not listen to repeatedly.

The lead track, “Laundry And Lasers”, kicks things off with buzzing guitars that slowly build to the gritty Townshendesque swagger that GBV has always pulled off undeniably well. The rougher edges of the band shine through the blunt punk guitar attack of “God Loves Us.” There are also a few twists and turns along the way including the strings-tinged melancholy of “Hang Mr. Kite” and the sparse vibrato flutter of “My Europa”. The strings return in the acoustic-driven “Chocolate Boy”. If you're looking for the Ass-Kicking Moment Of The GBV Album, you'll find it in “The Unsinkable Fats Domino” where you're reminded of this band's ability to create driving hooks that make a song clocking in at 1:55 seem like an epic rock song.

With “Let's Go Eat The Factory”, it's crystal clear that there's a difference between Guided By Voices and a Robert Pollard side project as well as between the so-called classic lineup vs. the other incarnations of this band. That's not to take away from the other musicians who have served well with Robert Pollard as the last few Guided By Voices albums had their stellar moments. But when you put on “Let's Go Eat The Factory”, you will remember why you initially became a fanatic follower of GBV.

"Let's Go Eat The Factory" is available now digitally and on 1/17/11 in physical format.

Video of "The Unsinkable Fats Domino" courtesy of The Audio Perv.