GBV fans will rejoice as another reissue of Pollard’s catalog has been launched. The remastered reissue of Robert Pollard’s second solo album Waved Out from 1998 is now available for order. This reissue includes the above promotional press photo from the era. The album will be on blue vinyl and is limited. You can order … Read more
Guided By Voices Space Gun GBV, Inc. [2018] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard and his band of merry men use every trick in the book and create a masterpiece. Album Review: I have been a fan of Guided By Voices since I first heard Bee Thousand way back in 1994. It seemed timeless yet still … Read more
Guided By Voices How Do You Spell Heaven GBV, Inc. [2017] Fire Note Says: The revamped Guided By Voices continue their hot streak with an instant classic. Album Review: You can be forgiven for missing some of Robert Pollard’s output – the discography is indeed deep and daunting. That said, let me put this right … Read more
Guided By Voices August By Cake GBV Inc. [2017] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard’s 100th album is also one of his best. Album Review: Releasing a shit ton of music is in Robert Pollard’s DNA. Even Captain Obvious knows this. And no, he does not hold any kind of record for most songs written or … Read more
Circus Devils Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up): Best Of Circus Devils Happy Jack Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils are sent off in fine fashion with this career-spanning double-LP compilation Album Review: Circus Devils has never been for the casual Robert Pollard fan. The “band,” comprising Pollard and brothers Todd and … Read more
Circus Devils Laughs Last Happy Jock Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils bow out with grace after a 16-year run. Album Review: For sixteen years, Bob Pollard from Guided By Voices and the Tobias brothers have collaborated to form the Circus Devils. Laughs Last is their official final release as a band. The … Read more
ESP Ohio Starting Point Of The Royal Cyclopean GBV, Inc. [2016] Fire Note Says: With three members of the current Guided By Voices line-up, ESP Ohio offers many rewards. Album Review: When news broke that Doug Gillard was rejoining Guided By Voices earlier this year (after ten years in the wilderness of playing with Nada … Read more
If you are a Robert Pollard fan then your mind blew when you heard the news about ESP Ohio. The new Pollard project reunites him with guitarist Doug Gillard (Nada Surf, Guided By Voices) which has historically yielded some great indie pop moments. ESP Ohio also adds current GBV bassist Mark Shue (Beech Creeps) and … Read more
Welcome to the third installment premiere from Suitcase Four here at The Fire Note. We rocked you on week one with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl”, and slowed things down last week on “Lockets Of The Empress,” so for week 3 it only seemed natural to crank the amps back up with “Third Grade Aviator” … Read more
Circus Devils Stomping Grounds Happy Jack Rock Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Stomping Grounds offers up a healthy serving of bizarro-rock mini masterpieces Album Review: Last year Robert Pollard and the Tobias brothers released Escape, an album that pulled off the usual Circus Devils trick of being completely different from the previous dozen or so … Read more
Hello GBV fan! Ready to get your second taste of Suitcase Four? Last week we rocked you out with “Deaf Dumb And Blind Girl” so we thought for week 2 slowing things down might be special. Kicking off the second CD of the four disc compilation is today’s feature, “Lockets Of The Empress,” which is … Read more
Ricked Wicky Swimmer To A Liquid Armchair Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: The third time’s the charm for this Robert Pollard side project. Album Review: Critical writings on Robert Pollard’s 21st century output have generally fallen into two groups: the True Believers for whom Uncle Bob can never err and those that … Read more
He has done it again! Robert Pollard has combed back over the cutting floor and pulled together Suitcase 4: Captain Kangaroo Won The War. The 4 CD set will offer another 100 unreleased songs from GBV. Following tradition with the 4 CD only release Suitcases of the past there is a Briefcase vinyl LP that … Read more
Hey Kids! The third Ricked Wicky from Robert Pollard, Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair, is due out September 25th and it was pressed on a very cool looking Coke Clear with Opaque Blue. The album is limited to 1000 copies worldwide so hurry over and snag a copy while they last. You can still order … Read more
Ricked Wicky King Heavy Metal Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: Pollard’s Ricked Wicky sparks your rock n roll juices! Album Review: The journey for Robert Pollard’s Ricked Wicky continues just five months after their debut with the sophomore album, King Heavy Metal. Sure, it is a quick turn-around but c’mon – what … Read more
Robert Pollard Faulty Superheroes Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: Uncle Bob’s first solo LP since disbanding GbV (again) is also one of his best. Album Review: Hmmm… Let’s see: last time Robert Pollard pulled the plug on Guided By Voices he seemed intent on focusing all his considerable energies into creating as … Read more
Ricked Wicky I Sell The Circus Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: You want rock? Pollard’s Ricked Wicky has you covered! Album Review: If you have been a fan of the Guided By Voices reunion output then I am sure you are still feeling the punch in the gut that came back in … Read more
Circus Devils Escape Happy Jack Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard and the Tobias brothers shift into a calmer gear and create what might be the best Circus Devils album yet. Album Review: Circus Devils never make the same album twice. Whether it’s the claustrophobic horror-rock screeches of the debut, the twisted spaghetti … Read more
Joseph Airport Stronger and Better Rockathon Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Joseph Airport’s quirky psychedelic miniatures grow on you with repeated listens. Album Review: If you’ve lived in Dayton, OH more than a couple of years, you’ll immediately recognize the origins of Joseph Airport’s odd moniker as the name of a certain car dealership north … Read more
Guided By Voices Cool Planet GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: Cool Planet is a strong follow-up to Motivational Jumpsuit. Album Review: Another month, another GBV/Robert Pollard-related release. Some critics argue that Robert Pollard needs an editor, someone to cherry-pick the best of his numerous compositions—and it’s an understandable opinion. Between his “solo” records, GBV, … Read more
The new singles from Guided By Voices’ newest record Cool Planet are now up for pre-order over at Rockathon Records. The singles are due April 29 with the album set to release on May 13th. Both the LP and singles will be on colored vinyl and will include digital downloads. The singles are limited to … Read more
Guided By Voices Motivational Jumpsuit GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: GBV hit a home run with their strongest “classic lineup reunion” album yet! Album Review: When Guided By Voices re-formed in 2011, no one knew how long it would last or how any new albums would stack up with their previous work. But the … Read more
Guided By Voices “Save The Company” b/w “Second Chance” Guided By Voices Inc. [2014] Anybody ready for Guided By Voices latest full length Motivational Jumpsuit? Well you should be as this first single from the record is sure to get your GBV blood pumping. The other good news is that “Save The Company” is the … Read more
Do you have someone that has joined the vinyl revolution – or wants to? Well this week’s Top 10 is for you as it is a simple gift guide to help steer your wax needs this Christmas season. Honestly, I could go on and on but here are 10 vinyl related items that would look … Read more
Robert Pollard Blazing Gentlemen Guided By Voices Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Pollard brings the rock on his second solo record in 2013 – Blazing Gentlemen. Album Review: Did you think you could close out 2013 without hearing from Robert Pollard one last time? Hell no! As he says, “writer’s block is for pussies!” Pollard’s … Read more