Review by Alex Dye

Dayton’s Robert Pollard is a musical machine. Since he began releasing records in the 80’s, this former school teacher now has over 100 albums to his name, most notably through his band Guided by Voices (of which he is the primary member in the ever-rotating GBV crew). He also records “solo” records (many times with the current cast of GBV) as well as under several other monikers, including Cash Rivers, Ricked Wicky, Boston Spaceships, and Airport 5. 

Robert Pollard and Guided by Voices are pure rock and roll, distilled to its most basic elements: loud, catchy guitar with little frill, driven rhythmic bass and drums, and an interesting frontman with a distinguishable voice. That being said, they are somewhat of an acquired taste, as recordings are oftentimes unpolished, lyrics are stream-of-conscious, and the output is so unrelenting that it’s difficult to even know where to begin. But even Pollard’s stranger projects have a ramshackle charm to them, and because the quality of the product is so consistent there are few if any “bad places” to start. 

For three decades now, Pollard has been cranking out a different release every few months. 2021 has already seen one Guided by Voices album (Earth Man Blues), a Cub Scout Bowling Pins EP (Heaven Beats Iowa), and there is another GBV albums scheduled for release this Fall. Pollard and crew never rest on an album, but always forge ahead in the great musical horizon. 

The latest release from this energizer-bunny of rock n’ roll, Clang Clang Ho, comes under the banner of Cub Scout Bowling Pins. Oddly enough, Cub Scout Bowling Pins contains the complete current lineup of Guided by Voices. So why the alternate band name? Whereas Guided by Voices is oftentimes a smorgasbord of musical experiments, half-cocked ideas, and a general fly-by-the-seat of your pants aesthetic, Cub Scout Bowling Pins was Pollard and company’s attempt to write a 60’s jangle-pop record in the vein of the British Invasion and psychedelic rock. Musically, it’s a very focused effort, but at the same time retains the humor and lyrical spazz of a typical GBV album. It’s almost a concept album, but unlike some of Pollard’s other forays, the concept is largely successful. 

Let’s be honest, nobody goes into a Robert Pollard project expecting lyrical depth, or even a general understanding what he’s talking about. The man releases so much music it would be impossible to labor over the lyrics for very long, instead using the space as a sketchbook of his mind. Even GBV’s best known songs such as “Tractor Rape Chain” have longtime fans shouting along and simultaneously scratching their heads. That being said, the lyrics on Clang Clang Ho fit really well with the tone of the record and the theme of the project. The album begins with the invitation to “Take a ride on my magic taxi,” which really opens the door for the listener to journey along with Pollard and company through their imagination of what a 60’s pop-rock record would sound like in 2021. “Sister Slam Dance” is perhaps the hardest hitting song on the album and perhaps the heaviest Pollard song to date, with a grimy bluesy guitar line and a catchy chorus of “Clang Clang Ho!” The jangly guitars and bouncing drums with the “lalala” refrain on “Space Invader” evokes music from an earlier time. 

Of course, you get some typical Pollard weirdness, like “Everybody loves a baboon.” (The singer is literally singing those words, with a weird effect processing the vocals). And “Eggs, mother” certainly begs the question, “What?” The great thing about these kinds of tracks is if you don’t happen to dig the vibe, they’re all relatively short, and then you’re on to the next one (the longest track on the album is 2:40). 

Because of its strong concept and throwback inspiration, Cub Scout Bowling Pins stands among the best of Pollard’s many side projects and solo albums. If this were recorded as a GBV album, it would certainly have been one of their more memorable ones. And even as a standalone rock album, it holds a lot of weight. Clang Clang Ho is definitely a worthy entry into the Pollard-verse and an excellent spin for longtime fans and initiates alike.

You can listen to Cub Scout Bowling Pins Clang Clang Ho on all streaming platforms and check out Pollard and Co. at guidedbyvoices.com and on Instagram and Facebook.