Artist bio

Robert Pollard is principally known as the frontman and leader of indie rock juggernaut Guided By Voices. But his recording career extends beyond GBV, with a series of albums released eponymously and pseudonomysly fulfilling his extracurricular creative urge.

Pollard formed GBV in 1985, but it wasn't until 1996 when he took the step beyond with the Matador release of Not In My Airforce, accompanied on the same day by a solo album from fellow GBV songwriter Tobin Sprout. The aquatic-themed Waved Out followed in 1998, but it wasn't until the following year's Kid Marine when Pollard decided to subtitle it "No. 1 in the Fading Captain Series." And the rest was history.

If you dozed through your history classes, though, the short story is that Pollard has exploited the Fading Captain moniker in the years since, often releasing three or four albums a year -- plus assorted compilations -- on local Dayton, Ohio label Rockathon. The man is a rock and roll genius, although subpar songs are a matter of course. It's hard to sum his work up in a few scant paragraphs, so instead I offer a Fading Captain salute: Bottoms Up, You Fantastic Bastard!

Albums by this artist

From A Compound Eye (2006)

Zoom 7" (2005)

Relaxation of the Asshole (2005)

Music For Bubble EP (2005)

Motel of Fools (2003)

Choreographed Man Of War (2001)

Speak Kindly Of Your Local Volunteer Fire Department (Recommended) (1999)

Kid Marine (1999)

Waved Out (1998)

Not In My Airforce (1996)

Robert Pollard

From A Compound Eye

» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

Robert Pollard

From A Compound Eye

Merge, 2006

RiYL: Wire, Ween, Showbiz Opera Walrus

Faithful readers, you’re probably thinking to yourself by now, “Gee, these nude as the news folks must really like Guided By Voices.” There’s the huge archive of reviews, that song-capsule project, a full history, we’re weighing in on Pollard’s post-breakup EPs and singles, and now along comes From A Compound Eye. But it’s not really our fault. This guy just keeps on going, and it’s all we can do to try to stay up with him.

Captain Bob this time around is in full-speed-ahead mode, having done away with the GBV moniker but not really doing anything drastic with his modus operandi. Recorded with longtime co-conspirator Todd Tobias as well as Chris Sheehan and Scott Bennett, From A Compound Eye does have an air of supreme confidence, which helps elevate seemingly tossed-off song ideas into impressive workouts. But that’s not anything different from what Pollard has been doing throughout his career. Anthemic rockers are not in short supply here, ranging from the swaggering “Kick Me And Cancel” to the lascivious “I’m A Widow.” But he also shows his soft side for bouncy bubblegum like “Dancing Girls And Dancing Men” and spirited melancholy like the R.E.M.-invoking “Blessed In An Open Head.”

A song like “The Right Thing” is a great example of what sets Pollard apart from his contemporaries in terms of striking a balance between gross prolificity and sheer brilliance. The track starts off in demo form, and it’s in shambles. Pollard plaintively whines over a tinny acoustic guitar, and his voice reaches truly hilarious levels of twee-ness, as he squeaks out “I am high / you cry.” Another ridiculous fragment, right? But then in comes the rock, as the band breaks into the full-electric version of the song, and Pollard amazingly turns it around. Now you’re singing along to his asinine chorus: “I am high / you cry / and I die” and then as they beat the riff into sweet oblivion, what is that we hear? A mouth organ solo? Sure, why not.

And there’s dozens more where those come from. 26 songs in total. Are they all good? I couldn’t tell you. The more you listen to “Cock Of The Rainbow” or “50 Year Old Baby,” the more you might convince yourself these are great tunes, and maybe even impeccable work by the songsmith. But then you remember his 20-year career and even this 26-song monolith starts to seem minute.

Of course it isn’t. Pollard is still going strong, just as we suspected, and breaking up Guided By Voices, the band/band name that made him famous isn’t going to make a lick of difference to his ability to keep churning out quality rock and roll for the next 20 years.

TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.