Pollard ‘Kicks’ it up a notch

Robert Pollard does not wait around for inspiration. There’s a reason he’s written 32 studio albums worth of music since 1987, first as front man for his recently reassembled Guided by Voices and later as a solo artist. For the same reason, so many of his songs last under two minutes. Constant creation with minimal revision has its inherent consequences, but when Pollard’s on, he can drunkenly rifle through 20 solid hooks inside 40 minutes and attack each one so hard they feel complete without a single bridge or solo.

Chalk “Space City Kicks” up as one of Pollard’s most impressive post-GBV albums to date. Like his best efforts, it thrives on his undying enthusiasm for classic rock riffs and nods to his main influence, The Who. “I Wanna Be Your Man in the Moon” naturally emerges as an instant choice pick: a simple Roger Daltrey-esque melody animated by Pollard’s youthful vigor that he rarely has trouble channeling.

Conversely, “Woman to Fly” attests to his power as a stripped-down singer-songwriter. Above a single electric guitar and gentle sonic haze, Pollard lets his voice soar, belting and holding the word “fly” as if singing over a full band playing full force.

“Space City Kicks” is more a collection of impulses than half-realized songs, which is good because Pollard is best when he’s impulsive.