Tonight at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Guided By Voices will

play one of their last shows in this area. Robert Pollard, the

guiding force behind GBV has decided to call it a day with the

release of the bands last album, "Half Smiles of the Decomposed."

Pollard said he wanted to end the band on a high note, considering

this last effort the perfect GBV album.

As a major force of the Lo-Fi movement in this country, this

group of basement rockers from Dayton, Ohio are the ultimate

self-made success story.

Releasing their own limited EP in 1986, "Forever Since

Breakfast," Pollard, along with some of his buddies began

to create some of the most heartfelt and original songs in recent

rock history.

Although their earlier efforts are decidedly uneven sounding

at first, the tendency for Pollard to include every bit of the

band's output on each release, repeated playing reveals

a very special talent.

I picked up the groups 1997 release, "Mag Earwig!" because

I liked the cover and the band's name. It was part of a

pile of new albums I purchased out of curiousity.

At first GBV didn't grab me. I thought I had wasted my

money once again. It sat there next to my stereo waiting to be

traded for something better.

Then I decided to give it one more listen. I have been a rabid

GBV fan ever since.

Their music is Beatle-esque in its complexity. Inspired and

unique, the catalog of songs that have been racked up over the

last 18 years is prolific to say the least.

Pollard started this project when he was still teaching high

school English and finally left that career behind to pursue

his dream job full time.

Not content to have just one band,a string of side projects

too long to list here make exploring this musical genius' output

a real treasure hunt.

I was lucky enough to see them perform at the original Cotton

Club several years ago.They are so in tune with their fans that

the atmosphere is like a party at Bob's house. They love

rock and roll and it shows in every song that is pulled out of

their huge repertoire.

For those new to this great American sound, a best of CD "Human

Amusement at Hourly Rates" is available with 32 hand-picked

favorites.

A DVD "Watch Me Jumpstart" chronicling the bands tenth

release "Under the Bushes Under the Stars" (one of

my faves) is also a good place to begin.

A box set entitled "Box" released in 1995 is a great

bargain. It contains the band's first five albums proper

plus an extra LP of rarities. "Devil Between My Toes," "Sandbox," and "Same

Place the Fly Got Smashed" are early classics in the GBV

catalog.

The album that brought them critical acclaim, "Bee Thousand," has

just been re-released in a special 3 CD set, tripling the amount

of material to pour over.

These are just a few samplings of Pollard and company's

output. There are import only collections, many more EPs and

a bunch of singles available.

It's really sad that a band of this caliber comes and goes

without any recognition from institutions like the Grammys or

rock radio, but then again, they wouldn't be nearly as cool

as they are.

It isn't the first time a seriously talented group of rockers

have flown under the radar and it won't be the last.

You can't find brilliant, uncompromising art like this

on commercial radio.

Even the multiple channels of satellite radio seem to miss the

point. This is something you have to discover for yourself. Luckily

it's still out there on little shiny discs and vinyl.

"Do the Collapse," which was hailed as the last great

rock album of the millenium is my personal recommendation for

those new to this amazing catalog.

Produced by Rick Ocasek of The Cars, "Collapse" it

is their most polished effort. "Teenage FBI" is a great

single.

It starts off the record on a high note leading into a collection

with just enough quirkiness to be different, but still accessible

to new ears.

Yes, I'm a nut about GBV. I have most everything they did

on vinyl.

I only hope that Robert Pollard has some other band up his sleeve

to carry on his musical visions. From the evidence of the last

two decades, I'm sure he is not ready to sit on his laurels.

The

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