Robert Pollard - We All Got Out of the Army Review

An avalanche of records from Robert Pollard's projects-- the stellar Boston Spaceships, the extra skronky Circus Devils, a few one-offs and curios, and several records under his given name-- isn't a new thing. But the clip at which they've arrived lately seems almost superhuman. And while he's not immune to the occasional failure, since late 2008 or so Pollard has enjoyed a late-career renaissance, consistently rewarding those of us still paying attention.

Messy though the sonics can be, there is something very deliberate about the construction of Pollard's recent work; even last summer's haywire Elephant Jokes felt like an attempt to capture the clipped construction of his muddy mid-90s masterpieces. We All Got Out of the Army, his first solo album of 2010, is a gleaming and hefty glam-pop record without the rough patches and rushed moments and that can bog him down, and it's among his most deliberate yet....full text We All Got Out Of The Army officially kicks off the Robert Pollard full length attack for 2010 and once again peels back yet another layer of Bob's many musical avenues. There is no mistake that this record fits right in with his current barrage of solo work but where it separates itself is in its song structure combinations. The reoccurring theme in We All Got Out Of The Army is the strong in your face instrumentation from long-time collaborator/producer Todd Tobias, a two minute average track length (17 tracks in 38 minutes), and Pollard's vocals out front without much dressing from many melodies or repeated hooks. This style gives We All Got Out Of The Army its own vibe and identity. It also allows Bob to rock out with his buddy Todd on highlights like the killer loud title track and album opener "Silk Rotor" with Pollard even taking several guitar leads throughout the record! It are these type of tweaks that make this another successful outing for Pollard and will give fans something new, while at the same time We All Got Out Of The Army feels very familiar!...full text ROBERT POLLARD - We All Got Out Of The Army (digi)
Robert Pollard simply can't be stopped. Indeed, the ever-prolific bard is in the midst of one of the most creative and hyperactive periods of his career. Since the summer of 2008, he has released an astonishing ten (10!) varied and terrific albums with his bands Boston Spaceships, Circus Devils, Cosmos, and as Robert Pollard. Retired from the road, two years deep with his own Guided By Voices Inc. label, the man has the artistic freedom to record what he wants, whenever he wants. What's particularly remarkable is the high quality of his output. With We All Got Out of the Army, Pollard delivers yet again. The new album blasts out of the speakers with "Silk Rotor," a power-pop gem with a swirling, fist-pumping chorus. This song alone is worth the album price. For the next 38 minutes, Pollard puts his unique stamp on sludgy, glam psychedelia ("Rice Train"), jubilant, synth-spiked pop ("I'll Take the Cure"), the kind of moody, melodic, perfectly weird rock 'n' roll long beloved by Guided By Voices fans ("I Can See," "Poet Bums"), and concludes with a haunting acoustic / electric ode with shades of Bowie circa Hunky Dory ("Faster to Babylon")...full text