Dayton, OH's Guided By Voices are one of the most prolific bands of all time. Even in selecting a three year period of the band from which to post they had eight releases (they really had nine, but I don't have the "Clown Prince Of The Menthol Trailer" EP, sorry). This was the bands more lo-fi period where they recorded on the cheap in Robert Pollards laundry room and self released almost everything in small quantities (500 copies or less). Around this time they caught the ear of Matador Records who helped to distribute the album Bee Thousand and fully released Alien Lanes (which is said to have been recorded for only $10 once you subtract the cost of beer). Alien Lanes has some of my favourite GBV songs, especially "Game Of Pricks" and "Motor Away". GBV head honcho Robert Pollard knows how to write a great song and even when that song is covered in fuzz the hook and melody still shine through. These releases all pretty much contain the "classic" line-up of the band: Robert Pollard, Tobin Sprout, Mitch Mitchell, Kevin Fennel, and Greg Demos who were all well into their thirties by the time Alien Lanes was released. It is this line-up that reunited earlier this year to play Matador Records 21st birthday celebration in Las Vegas and subsequently tour as well.
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