By Jeremy Iverson
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Robert Pollard, the man behind the legendary Guided by Voices releases, continues to defy the very idea of what constitutes a prolific artist. On October 9, he released two more albums, each, while distinct, still work together rather well.
Perhaps it really isn’t odd that Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions sound like two parts of a double album. Like all of Pollards previous releases, these two fit snugly in with a body of work whose influences remain a distinct mixture of classic British Invasion groups, especially the power of The Who and the subtlety of The Kinks; weird progressive rock sounds by the likes of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis and college rock and alternative staples of the 1980s like R.E.M., Wire, XTC and Julian Cope.
Coast to Coast Carpet of Love is the stronger album, steeped in distinct and catchy melodies. The first song “Our Gaze” is a classic Pollard opener, with a driving guitar line and vocal melody that belongs on arena stages.
This album is pure power pop. Elements of Cheap Trick pop up on “Rud Fins,” especially within the vocals and pounding drums. “Customer’s Throat,” with its reverb-heavy vocal recording, sounds as if it was taken straight from 1970’s AM radio.
Standard Gargoyle Decisions is a slightly odder beast. “The Killers,” the album’s first track, is a garage rock tune hidden underneath a veil of weird, muddy sound.
From there, the songs maintain an odd, cryptic art-rock vibe. “Pill Gone Girl” is as epic as most early Genesis tracks, but within a 2:34 running time – easily one eighth a typical Genesis song. Unfortunately, this album, like too many of Pollard’s, takes chances that just don’t work all of which can distract from the better moments, the moments when he actually presents a fully-realized tune.
Still, it’s hard to not fall for Pollard’s weird charms, which remain as distinct and uncompromising as any in rock music.
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