I'm sure that La La Land won't be the only Guided By Voices album we receive in 2023, and that's great. Even better news is that this is a pretty snappy offering. This new Rockathon Records release is punchy in spots, and expansive in others. Robert Pollard and his crew are up to their usual antics here, but there are a few surprises too.
"Released into Dementia" is an early highlight on the record, lyrical and wildly melodic, even after the pep of opener "Another Day to Heal". While La La Land favors a tighter attack than some recent GBV albums, there are still stylistic risks to be taken here. "Slowly on the Wheel" is as long as a dozen old numbers from this band, but it successfully marries a sense of progressive exploration with a willingness to rock out over a bunch of twists and turns. Elsewhere, "Queen of Spaces" is a more diffuse version of "Don't Stop Now" in sonic terms, the strings here doing the heavy lifting that the guitars would normally do in a GBV selection. While "Cousin Jackie" is a misfire for this listener, the subsequent "Wild Kingdom", like "Face Eraser", is a roaring delight. The usual Who-isms are here, but Pollard adds a faintly punk-y sneer to his delivery that I think is really cool.
Lots of La La Land is really cool. It's got the adventurous nature of recent releases from this legends, but it's fairly concise, and that's appreciated. Chances are grasped at, and hooks meander as players explore new territory, but the diversions always lead back to a place where Rock-and-Roll rules. And Guided By Voices sound like they are ready to rawk in 2023. So hopefully this is the first of a string of releases in this new year. And it's a damn fine way to start.
La La Land by Guided By Voices is out on Friday via Rockathon Records
[Photo: Trevor Naud]