Bee Thousand [LP]

by Guided by Voices

Overview

The cult of indie rock thrives on the unexpected discovery, and in 1994 Guided by Voices were just the sort of musical phenomenon no one figured was still out there -- 30-something rock obsessives cranking out fractured guitar-driven pop tunes in a laundry room. Robert Pollard and his stable of beer buddies/backing musicians had been churning out stuff like Bee Thousand for years, but the album's surprise critical success marked the first time the group found a significant audience outside their hometown, and it made a clear case for Guided by Voices' virtues -- as well as their flaws. From the moment "Hardcore UFOs" kicks in, it's obvious that Pollard has an uncanny gift for a hook and a melody, and Bee Thousand's 20 cuts are dotted with miniature masterpieces like "Echos Myron," "Smothered in Hugs," and "Queen of Cans and Jars." However, there are also more than a few duds that threaten to cancel out the goodwill the great songs generate, and Pollard is an acquired taste as a lyricist -- his freakishly poetic verse has a real charm, but it's hard to figure out what he's on about. (GBV's other principal songwriter, Tobin Sprout, contributes less often, but manages a higher batting average.) The lo-tech rumble of the album's D.I.Y. production also wavers between being a help and a hindrance, depending on the songs, and as musicians Guided by Voices veer between sounding like inspired amateurs and, well, just amateurs. On Bee Thousand, Guided by Voices sound like a passionate and gloriously quirky garage band fronted by a thrillingly and maddeningly idiosyncratic songwriter; its many pearly moments make it a fascinating discovery for rock enthusiasts, but a few years would pass before this band was fully earning the new accolades showered upon it. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	01/27/2015
Label:	Scat
UPC:	0753417003514
Rank:	1752

Tracks

1. Hardcore UFO¿¿¿s
2. Buzzards and Dreadful Chaos
3. Tractor Rape Chain
4. The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory
5. Hot Freaks
6. Smothered in Hugs
7. Yours to Keep
8. Echos Myron
9. Gold Star for Robot Boy
10. Awful Bliss
11. Mincer Ray
12. A Big Fan of the Pigpen
13. Queen of Cans and Jars
14. Her Psychology Today
15. Kicker of Elves
16. Ester¿¿¿s Day
17. Demons Are Real
18. I Am a Scientist
19. Peep-Hole
20. You¿¿¿re Not an Airplane

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Guided by Voices   Primary Artist
Kevin Fennell   Drums,Percussion
Greg Demos   Guitar (Bass)
Mitch Mitchell   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Robert Pollard   Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Multi Instruments
Jim Pollard   Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)
Tobin Sprout   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric),Multi Instruments
Don Thrasher   Drums,Percussion
Dan Toohey   Guitar (Bass)
Randy Campbell   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Mitch Mitchell   Composer
Robert Pollard   Composer
Jim Pollard   Composer
Guided by Voices   Composer
Tobin Sprout   Composer