The cult of indie rock thrives on the unexpected discovery, and in 1994 Guided by Voices was just the sort of musical phenomenon no one figured was still out there -- 30-something ock obsessives cranking out fractured guitar-driven pop tunes in a laundry room. Robert Pollard and his stable of beer buddies/backing musicians had been churning out stuff like Bee Thousand for years, but the album's surprise critical success marked the first time the group found a significant audience outside their hometown, and it made a clear case for Guided by Voices' virtues -- as well as their flaws. From the moment "Hardcore UFOs" kicks in, it's obvious that Pollard has an uncanny gift for a hook and a melody, and Bee Thousand's 20 cuts are dotted with miniature masterpieces like "Echos Myron," "Smothered in Hugs," and "Queen of Cans and Jars." However, there are also more than a few duds that threaten to cancel out the goodwill the great songs generate, and Pollard is an acquired taste as a lyricist -- his freakishly poetic verse has a real charm, but it's hard to figure out what he's on about. (GBV's other principal songwriter, Tobin Sprout, contributes less often, but manages a higher batting average.) The lo-tech rumble of the album's D.I.Y. production also wavers between being a help and a hindrance, depending on the songs, and as musicians Guided by Voices veer between sounding like inspired amateurs and, well, just amateurs. On Bee Thousand, Guided by Voices sounds like a passionate and gloriously quirky garage band fronted by a thrillingly and maddeningly idiosyncratic songwriter; its many pearly moments make it a fascinating discovery for ock enthusiasts, but a few years would pass before this band was fully earning the new accolades showered upon it.
I originally wanted to title this post "This one is about blow jobs", but I don't think that would go through the MOG brain or whatnot. That, and the good corporate people of the world don't need to see "watchbatteries has made an entry on MOG: Blowjobs" on their e-mail notifiers. Time for the backstory. Alirght, remember the game I put out over the weekend? Well, one of the lines was from the ...
More >
i intended to shift my blog over here today, but i was up all night being ill so can barely open my eyes today let alone think of doing something actually productive. i got bee thousand by guided by voices today. its my first taste of guided by voices and im really impressed. anyway, i hope im back to normal tomorrow, and i can start doing something good!
More >
This song is truly a classic. It's a song that really gives you a feel of what it was probably like being a (then) 35 year old 4th grade school teacher, with different ambitions (like rocking out). I know Mr. Pollard was heavily criticized for leaving teaching for this more "unsteady" career. People in Dayton, Ohio just are not supposed to do that kind of thing. I also like how the video shows ...
More >
i have been putting come CDs "from the vault" (ie, the basement) into iTunes and have been eager to get some GBV in there. i had forgotten how great they are. today i put "bee thousand" with "gold star for robot boy," "awful bliss," and my favorite, "i am a scientist." i even used to enjoy seeing them live with their awkward transitions and bob pollard doing high kicks and downing cans of pabst...
More >
Just another night of sitting hear listening to music...i just can't sit myself in front of the tv...unless there is a game on that I really want to see or a video game involved.Anyway, this one came on shuffle and made so happy that I thought I would post it...it was like talking to an old friend for the first time in years!
More >
I originally wanted to title this post "This one is about blow jobs", but I don't think that would go through the MOG brain or whatnot. That, and the good corporate people of the world don't need to see "watchbatteries has made an entry on MOG: Blowjobs" on their e-mail notifiers. Time for the backstory. Alirght, remember the game I put out over the weekend? Well, one of the lines was from the ...
More >
i intended to shift my blog over here today, but i was up all night being ill so can barely open my eyes today let alone think of doing something actually productive. i got bee thousand by guided by voices today. its my first taste of guided by voices and im really impressed. anyway, i hope im back to normal tomorrow, and i can start doing something good!
More >
$%^&* Scripts don't publish. Oh well, go here.
More >
Today, I present "Smothered in Hugs," because my sunshine fund is low and because it seems an appropriate send off for the lovely Matt Cullen.I hated this song when I first heard it, along with everything on Bee Thousand, an album so painfully low-fi that it smacked of a rich kid slumming. Seriously, unless you're living in a cave and recording with rocks, there's no reason for an album to soun...
More >
Cold hands touching my face Don’t hide - the snake can see you Old friends you might not remember Fading away from youThese faithful words emanated from a scratchy piece of vinyl, weighted down by a copper penny in its fidelity. Guided by Voices "Bee Thousand" is one of those seminal records, where one can place their exact whereabouts, setting our chronometers to the wistful days .
More >
This song is truly a classic. It's a song that really gives you a feel of what it was probably like being a (then) 35 year old 4th grade school teacher, with different ambitions (like rocking out). I know Mr. Pollard was heavily criticized for leaving teaching for this more "unsteady" career. People in Dayton, Ohio just are not supposed to do that kind of thing. I also like how the video shows ...
More >
i have been putting come CDs "from the vault" (ie, the basement) into iTunes and have been eager to get some GBV in there. i had forgotten how great they are. today i put "bee thousand" with "gold star for robot boy," "awful bliss," and my favorite, "i am a scientist." i even used to enjoy seeing them live with their awkward transitions and bob pollard doing high kicks and downing cans of pabst...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Hardcore Ufos |
|
|
| 2 Buzzards and Dreadful Crows |
|
|
| 3 Tractor Rape Chain |
|
|
| 4 The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory |
|
|
| 5 Hot Freaks |
|
|
| 6 Smothered in Hugs |
|
|
| 7 Yours to Keep |
|
|
| 8 Echos Myron |
|
|
| 9 Gold Star for Robot Boy |
|
|
| 10 Awful Bliss |
|
|
| 11 Mincer Ray |
|
|
| 12 A Big Fan of the Pigpen |
|
|
| 13 Queen of Cans and Jars |
|
|
| 14 Her Psychology Today |
|
|
| 15 Kicker of Elves |
|
|
| 16 Ester's Day |
|
|
| 17 Demons Are Real |
|
|
| 18 I Am a Scientist |
|
|
| 19 Peep-Hole |
|
|
| 20 You're Not an Airplane |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Bee Thousand")
