By the time of the creation of Bob’s two record companies,
Guided By Voices Inc. and Happy Jack Rock Records and
the formation of the Boston Spaceships in 2008,
it appeared that Bob had completely recharged his battery.
In the three years the Boston Spaceships were together,
they released five excellent albums and an ep.
“Let It Beard”, a double album, was their fifth and last album.
Pollard has called “Let It Beard”,
"a subconscious concept album about the sorry state of Rock and Roll."
"The White Album meets Quadrophenia meets Jesus Christ Superstar," he says.
"Meets Same Place The Fly Got Smashed," adds guitarist Chris Slusarenko.
The 26-track double LP features guitar guest shots from J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr,
Steve Wynn from the Dream Syndicate, Mick Collins from Dirtbombs and the Gories,
Dave Rick from Phantom Tollbooth, Wire's Colin Newman and Mitch Mitchell.
Lots of great songs like “Tabby And Lucy”, “You Just Can’t Tell”, “Tourist UFO”.
“I Took On The London Guys”, “Make A Record For Lo-life”, “Juggernaut Vs. Monolith”,
“Red Bodies” the title song and so much more.
I love “A Hair In Every Square Inch Of The House”, it sounds like a bad garage band,
then finds its way into the song and falls apart,
then goes back into the song. Amazing Crazy Shit! A Favorite.
The opening track, “Blind 20-20” sounds like 4 songs in one,
and namechecks Alice Ghostley from Bewitched.
“Chevy Marigold” is a pop/soul/rock song.
Bob said he split the band up because they could never better this album.
If it were anyone else but Bob, I’d agree.
If I had to list the Ten Non-Guided By Voices Robert Pollard albums
that all GBV fans must have, this would top the list.
A Gem A+
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