Guided By Voices

The Who Went Home and Cried

Rockathon/MVD

 
Lo-fi warriors Guided By Voices on DVD? Well, yeah, in a fashion. DVD fanatics can pass this one by -- no special features, no nifty flying menus, and it's only about an hour long. But for those who just wanna rock, then The Who Went Home and Cried is just the ticket. The first segment, "From The Porch," is just that -- GBV rehearsing on Bob Pollard's front porch, running down a set list including "Submarine Teams," "Strumpet Eye," and others. Limited by the audio abilities of a camcorder, it sounds ok -- and the glimpse it gives you into the workings of things Pollard is illuminating. Songwriters who have long wondered how he can crank out song after song will learn one of his nifty tricks by watching Bob play guitar, leading the rehearsal. The band is practicing for what is to be bassist Greg Demos' last show in Columbus, Ohio. "A Salty Salute" from that evening follows.

The final portion of the DVD features live tracks from a show at the Whiskey in L.A. A video of this concert was commercially available for a while, but is gone now, which makes this release even more vital. Showing the ending of a typical GBV show (you know it's the end of the night because Pollard is hammered), ya get "Hot Freaks," "Tractor Rape Chain," "Echos Myron," and about six more. It all ends up with "Smothered In Hugs," during which close watchers will notice Demos' becoming obviously disoriented and nearly collapsing, or retching. But, trooper that he is, he rallies and finishes the song. While this isn't perhaps the DVD that Postal Blowfish members would have created, it's a good first step into the digital realm for the finest rockin' pop band out there. GBV! GBV! GBV!

Guided By Voices: http://www.gbv.com/luna.html

James Mann