Robert Pollard and his crew remain prolific as hell. If the proggy detours of some of these recent Guided By Voices albums have made you miss the old stuff from the group, I've got a band for you. Before you play Alien Lanes (1995) yet again, spin Upside Down World, the new one from Mythical Motors.
Matt Addison understands how to craft a tune. There's little fluff on this record, and the tracks breeze by on a wave of inventiveness. "Take a Trip" takes inspiration from "Driver 8"-era R.E.M. and kicks things off on a strong note. "Over Titan River" and the superb title cut find a sweet spot that may make listeners raised on Tommy Keene and Wire Train records very happy indeed. Addison wisely uses each of these 14 songs to offer up a central idea and embellish it just enough to keep it compelling and sharp. The whole album maintains a momentum that's impressive, with only "The Office of Royal Delivery" slowing things down enough for a mood far more reflective.
What really impresses about Upside Down World is Addison's understanding of craft. Much like Pollard in an earlier age, Matt realizes that a good hook, or a smart riff is best delivered quickly, for maximum effect. There are more ideas here than on records twice this length is what I'm trying to say. There's a similar effect here to what Ohio band Connections were doing a few years ago. Operating out of Tennessee, Matt Addison as Mythical Motors is taking that same formula and refining it to perfection on this supremely listenable record.
Upside Down World by Mythical Motors is out this week. Details below.
[Photo: Matt Addison]