Guided By Voices are nothing, if not prolific. Despite breaking up a few times between the late ‘80s and now, they’ve already turned in 25 albums, ranging from great to, well, so-so. With a spotty track record, it’s nice knowing you can easily dip into their catalogue thanks to this fantastic live collection from 2004. Recorded on the set of Austin City Limits as part of the band’s first farewell tour, this 30-song show is a virtual best of for fans of the band.
The album was initially put out on DVD 10 years ago, but New West has just re-released this as a 2-CD/DVD combo and on a double LP set on vinyl. The LPs are on 180g vinyl and comes with a gatefold jacket.
With this show, still true to their lo-fi roots, the band is all energy from the first song, the searing “Demons Are Real” to the crowd singalong closer, “Echoes Myron.” And much like The Replacements, another brilliant mid-west band that could put on fantastic shows one night and a forgettable drunken wreck the next, Robert Pollard and crew showcase the former with this Austin show. One of the band’s best live performances finally getting a proper re-introduction.
Guided By Voices – Live From Austin, TX/2 CDs & DVD/Vinyl/New West Records/2017 / http://gbv.com/