Reviewing a Robert Pollard album is a difficult business for me. Given that I own more records by him (predominantly with Guided By Voices) than any other artist I find it hard to give even a semi-objective account, but I’ll do my best.
Elephant Jokes is his fifth release this year, with another two on the cards. The constant writing, recording and releasing of records is an integral part of what makes Pollard what he is, but it can lead to some quality control issues and allows for him to release some difficult records to enjoy (I wouldn’t recommend his releases as Cosmos or Circus Devils to the uninitiated). The good news is that Elephant Jokes continues where his recent solo, and Boston Spaceships albums left off by being a consistently enjoyable set of rocking pop songs.
You only have to wait until track two to get the first genuine classic ‘Johnny Optimist, a Who influenced stomper (The Who are probably the clearest influence on Pollard on this album). The titular hero is described as being “like a post car crash Jan and Dean”, and this album features some of Pollard’s best lyrical work for years.
From there on in the good songs keep on coming. ‘When A Man Walks Away’, ‘Symbols and Heads’, ‘Accident Hero’, ‘Newly Selected Dirt Spots’ and ‘(All You Need) To Know’ are all great new songs in the Pollard song database. Even snotty throwaway tracks like ‘Hippsville (Where The Frisbees Fly Forever)’ are streets ahead of the competition.
My favourite track on the album is ‘Stiff Me’, the kind of catchy rocker that Bob probably writes over breakfast and other songwriters would kill to write in a career. That is the reason to stick by an erratic performer like Pollard, in amongst the good songs, throwaways and misfires will always be at least one song so good it makes it all worthwhile. On an album as consistent as this it is an extra bonus to have so many high points.
Sure, there are some songs to skip and some editing would have helped, but the songs don’t last long and you’re on to the next one.
Is it a must-buy Pollard release? No. But it is a collection of good songs from a singularly talented artist and that is more than enough.
8/10
by Dorian Rogers, Aug 2009
Related Posts
