Posted on: August 26, 2009 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

As sometime guitarist for Dayton’s favorite sons Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard’s post-break-up solo work, Doug Gillard delivered album after album of satisfying jangly lo-fi pop. On Call From Restricted, his own latest solo effort, Gillard delivers more the of that familiar jangly guitar pop, but with impressively accessible vocals.

Call From Restricted starts off strong with the “Time is Nigh,” possible Gillard’s best song in an already impressive career, and keeps up the momentum almost throughout. Coming in at 13 tracks there are a few songs that could have been left off to make the record tighter, but the album is still an ambitious and mostly successful stake of independence from a former backing musician taking his turn at the front of the band.

Lyrically, the songs are more cohesive than those offered by GBV, and Gillard’s vocals are pleasantly smooth throughout.

Top tracks: “Time is Nigh,” “Gogol Was Rollo” and “Gibraltar”

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Doug Gillard – Call From Restricted / CD / 2009 / 13 Tracks / 347 Records / www.douggillard.com

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