Isolation Drills by Guided By Voices...****1/2

Robert Pollard just keeps on keeping on. I have just finished listening to Isolation drills, GBV's follow-up to 1999's Do the Collapse, and all I can seem to keep saying to myself is "how does he do it?". From front to back the latest offering is typical Pollard, chock ful' o' dynamic rhythm structures and hooks that should make McCartney blush. As I was listening, I was reminded of the 1996 masterpiece 'Under the Bushes, Under the Stars'. Of course the only difference being at that time Tobin Sprout was in the band and contributing songs as well. Isolation Drills, to me, is an extension of the aforementioned disc with better production. The first cut, 'Fair Touching', reminds me of a toned down version of "Man Called Aerodynamics", or an extension or maybe a finished version-definitely single material. 'Frostman' and 'Sister I Need Wine' are two more "half-thoughts" that turn out to be beautiful works of art. On 'Want One', you should definitely note the influence of seventies glam. The Enemy is the longest song on the disc and maybe the weakest. I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide if there is one. Track nine is a song called 'Unspirited' and undoubtedly my favorite. A beautiful pop jangle with a mesmerizing string accompaniment. 'Glad Girls' will most likely end up as a single and so it should. The only problem that may arise with that, is the reference to getting high and graduation, but take it as you will. I personally don't see anything wrong with it. The disc then closes out with 'Pivotal Film', 'How's My Drinking', 'Fine To See You' and a gem called 'the Brides Have Hit Glass' which could also be a single...this disc has many.

I owe my love for GBV to jblack. They are my pick of the litter right now and even as fickle as my musical tastes can be, I don't see that changing. Yeah sure GBV has gone to a bigger label and better production. I am glad they did. It is refreshing to hear a pronounced back bone, and even more refreshing to hear string arrangements along with Doug Gillard and Nate Farley's guitar sound. And of course Bob's just Bob and continues to be what I love him for-an endless fountain of pop classics. ****1/2(out of five)