Ranking The Guided By Voices Studio Albums

Dayton’s finest band is kind of Prog. Robert Pollard does list Foxtrot, Thick As A Brick and The Yes Album as three of his favorite albums ever so…
34. Sandbox (1987)
33. Please Be Honest (2016)
32. Cool Planet (2014)
31. How Do You Spell Heaven (2017)
30. Devil Between My Toes (1987)
29. Let's Go Eat The Factory (2012)
28. Same Place The Fly Got Smashed (1990)
27. English Little League (2013)
26. Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia (1989)
25. August By Cake (2017)
24. Class Clown Spots A UFO (2012)
23. Sweating The Plague (2019)
22. Styles We Paid For (2020)
21. Motivational Jumpsuit (2014)
20. Warp & Woof (2019)
19. Surrender You Poppy Field (2020)
18. It's Not Them, It Couldn't Be Them, It Is Them (2021)
17. Earth Man Blues (2021)
16. Zeppelin Over China (2019)
15. Half Smiles Of The Decomposed (2004)
14. Vampire On Titus (1993)
13. Mirrored Aztec (2020)
12. The Bears For Lunch (2012)
11. Crystal Nuns Cathedral (2022)
10. Earthquake Glue (2003)
9. Universal Truths And Cycles (2002)
8. Propeller (1992)
7. Space Gun (2018)
6. Mag Earwhig! (1997)
5. Isolation Drills (2001)
4. Under The Bushes, Under The Stars (1996)
3. Do The Collapse (1999)
2. Alien Lanes (1995)
1. Bee Thousand (1994)
#guidedbyvoices #gbv #prog

[@jusztinnemeti6380]

I would definitely rank Under the bushes, under the stars as number one. Most consistent album with some of their best songs. Bee thousand behind alien lanes and isolation drills.

[@TheProgCorner]

Just a whole bunch of greatness there!!!! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@drillbag]

@@TheProgCorner i don't know how you did it, so much of it is my favourite!!!!

[@scottclark1634]

Amazing to think there has been another 5 albums since this review. Incredible band.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, I think I’ll do a new ranking episode in 2024. Should do a new one every year or two. Uncle Bob never sleeps…

[@MichaelThomas-ll1hw]

Man I would love to see you rank some of Roberts solo projects! this was awesome, thanks for the ride 🤙

[@TheProgCorner]

We’ll do the solo albums first, the. Maybe Circus Devils and Boston Spaceships!!!

[@kenborody3296]

That was epic!! Can’t believe you ranked all 34. You pretty much nailed it but I wanted Half Smiles a little higher, but that was awesome!! Thanks again!!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Too many great albums!!!

[@MrJones-qk4nh]

Agreed, half smiles is underrated. Nearly flawless

[@jeffmaleri7754]

I finally listened to half smiles. I love the end of Huffman, where it repeats. But yeah, the whole album is great. I now own 19 of the 39! I'm looking to buy the other 20

[@TheProgCorner]

GbV!!!!!

[@jeffmaleri7754]

@@TheProgCorner I got Do the collapse on right now! Going between that and Universal truths tonight

[@Z-eb]

This truly Made my day, nice to see "Do the Collapse" so high up, its in my top 10 somewhere, and it would probably be higher if i add all the b sides, outtakes and demos. I will have to think about my ranking for a week, and i will post it here. THANKS Scot !!!! (You always do your homework, i give you an A as always!)

[@TheProgCorner]

Do The Collapse combined with the Hold On Hope EP would be my number one!!!! Ocasek did a great job…

[@toddhill7483]

Greetings Scott, just wanted to say thanks for posting this ranking. For whatever reasons this band just passed me by. You have peaked my curiosity enough to explore their albums. (They have enough to keep a person busy for awhile) I really like a lot of what I hear so far. Especially impressed with their newest album, Bee Thousand, and Do the Collapse. A long way to go. Thanks again!

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s ridiculous how much material he has released. And most of it is pretty great. I’m glad you have taken the time to investigate!!!!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

How did I miss this video. Great video. Amazing band.

[@TheProgCorner]

How indeed?

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@TheProgCorner I didn’t have the freakin little bell on. It’s on now. I was keen to see the GBV ranking because you mentioned you might do it

[@kdbrown777]

Just started getting into GBV and I love your energy man!

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes!!! GBV!!!! I get excited talking about Robert Pollard and the rest of Dayton’s finest!!!

[@AdamLeeRosenfeld]

Great video - thanks for taking the time!

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m going to have to redo it soon with a couple new records released since I shot that. Amazing band!!!

[@paulspanbauer4125]

Props for keeping up with all of them, especially on vinyl. I just can’t do it myself. But I am a huge fan.

[@TheProgCorner]

Uncle Bob doesn’t make it easy!!!

[@joestack1921]

But for real, I’ve been just blindly playing their albums while I deliver Amazon packages. Your video is helping point me toward some great songs. Thanks!

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you, Joe!!! Man I love me some GbV.

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Hey Scott. Wow! You are a fan and lucky that you got everything that was ever done and then some. Welcome to always being a fan. I am a big fan of Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard, Don't have all the albums and all of that but a handful of 16 or something I do have. I grew up in Dayton. And me and this good friend of mine who is associated friend of his and I have known for very long time me and this friend I grew up with, had met and visited Bob on occasions driving around and visited him in the neighborhood. I went to about 3-4 shows to see Guided By Voices and each time were fantastic and had pics taken of me and Bob and Bob and my friend and I have of a couple of signed autographs too on some sheets of paper along with few other members at the time too, I have those, So ever since Bob has considered me a good old friend, And I have lost touch with him for some long while but never the less. I need to catch up some day again. On Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia there's a song called Radio Show(Trust The Wizard). And at the time it is somewhat in reference to me while at the time I did do some volunteer guest appearances on a local area college radio station with the host of the shows. Just me that volunteer guest at the station. And after which that me and this long time friend earlier we had been doing some music together at with me singing and writing songs and him on guitar and I would be doing guitar for songs I had written and the friend shared his songs along he had wrote as well. I came up with song Wizard Radio. Me and my friend collaborated for few years. Then I ever since have wrote songs sang played guitar and done some keyboard instrumentals on my own . My friend plays stuff on his own as well. We still have always stayed in touch. Music is in the family also I might add being a brother. Anyway there was where I well know Bob, as he well knows me jon the wizard.. A name that in different variations started with someone I jammed this other guy I knew with also calling me a wizard for my writing of lyrics in so back in the late 80s so there you go. GBV great band and Bob Pollard a great guy and a good friend too. Cheers.🎶 Btw saw The Breeders in 2019.

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!! I saw The Breeders open for Nirvana in Miami at Bayfront Amphitheater. Jaw dropping!!!

[@thedarkwizardroom]

@@TheProgCorner Cool. The Breeders came at Levitt Pavillion here for free show. They were great and glad they sounded so good still.

[@hapahapahappy]

Nice video and list! I would place more of there lo fi stuff higher (like Vampires on Titus is definitely number 2 for me haha) but that's just cause i like that kind of music more! But yeah under the bushes under the stars is also top 5 for me, it's such an amazing record. What's funny is that like a month after you posted this they released another new album (Tremblers and Goggles by Rank) and now Alex Bell is now one of my favorite songs by them (it's super proggy too I think). I think I heard somewhere in an interview with Bob that he's planning on just focusing on doing one album for the next year !

[@TheProgCorner]

I should have waited until Tremblers And Goggles By Rank came out to shoot that video!!! Such a terrific LP.

[@thenemosix6835]

Solid list! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love GbV!!!

[@cashlinart]

Pretty awesome presentation!! Super glad i saw them at the 4/20 show on the space gun tour, was gonna try and see them at the cats cradle and it didnt work out hope i can catch the show in mass this fall. Super grateful i learned about them from Emil Amos on his podcast he has a super funny story about listening to bee thousand on mushrooms when it came out and thinking the album is being slowly pitch shifted

[@TheProgCorner]

Bee Thousand = Pete Townsend when pinching your tongue. Bob Pollard is a strange dude!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@nw1750]

Great vid. Have to say, I would agree with your top-5 (and overall your top-10). Glad to see "Do The Collapse" so high on the listing -- it gets too much stick from fans, and I will never understand it, since the songs on it are so damn PERFECT (right now) !! :) Also glad to see a fellow-fan stump for "Mag Earwhig", a really stunning killer LP imo. I haven't bought/heard "Space Gun" yet, sounds like I have to jump on that pronto. Cheers!

[@TheProgCorner]

Space Gun is the keeper out of these last 12 or 15 GbV albums!!!!

[@KingOfHighFives]

The greatest rock band of all time!! Been listening to Bobby for over 25 years! (Been listening to a lot of other great bands/song writers too), but in all honestly, Bobby is the best!

[@TheProgCorner]

GbV is my band and Bob is my dude!!!

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I got to hand it to you, you achieved a near-impossible task. Not only have you listened to every single album, but also put them into a well-thought-out order. That's pretty amazing. While I disagree on two rankings - I think Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia should be ranked a lot higher and Universal Truths And Cycles is my favorite (blasphemy!) - I'm going to utilize your list in approaching the reunion-onwards albums. Thank you so very much!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love UTAC!!! It was my first time seeing the band and I flew to Minneapolis to see them. They were staying at the same hotel so I told Bob that I flew up from Miami just to see him and he DEMANDED proof. I showed him my airline ticket.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@TheProgCorner That's awesome! Every time I pass by the Needmore exit in Dayton, I think about buying a case of beer and making a pilgrimage...but I don't think my family would understand. What's he like in person? Probably exactly as he comes off in interviews, I imagine.

[@TheProgCorner]

He’s very cool. Very down to earth kinda guy. He’ll talk music with you for HOURS AND HOURS!!! My dude!!! Pollard is a genius. 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

@@TheProgCorner Ha.ha. ha!!Amazing!

[@magus-mork]

Briliant!!! Could you do more videos ranking pollards solo and side projects? Would love to watch that. Great list! Thanks man!

[@TheProgCorner]

A Pollard solo LP ranking is in the works!!!

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Wonderful stuff! I'm completely jealous of all your vinyl. (I've only got about 15 of those... For me: 1. Alien Lanes 2. Bee Thousand 3. Do The Collapse (You are ABSOLUTELY correct... and I might even be a heretic and put it into the #2 slot... it's THAT freaking great) 4. Space Gun 5. Tremblers and Goggle By Rank / Isolation Drills / Crystal Nuns Cathedral / Earth Man Blues / Universal Truths And Cycles / Under The Bushes Under The Starts (TIE) Eagerly waiting for your Pollard Solo Rankings (""From A Compound Eye" is the best... followed closely by "Waved Out" "Speak Kindly..." and a few others) AND his side project rankings (The Boston Spaceships are phenomenal... along with Airport 5, Circus Devils, ESP, and Cub Scout Bowling Pins) Cheers!

[@TheProgCorner]

I think I’ll do a Pollard ranking next but with all those other projects I have NO IDEA how to curate that!!!! Tremblers is such a great record. I should have waited a couple weeks to shoot that video and it could have been included. Where would it have landed? Pretty high up there, I think. Maybe slightly ahead of Crystal Nuns…

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

True, "Tremblers" and "Nuns" actually do belong in the top ten."Tremblers" has the hits and "Nuns" is flawless, a melancholic and grand prog effort.

[@renderville]

Very enjoyable watch!

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! I’m going to have to redo it every year!!!

[@abrokenframe72]

This was fun! I love Half Smiles-fantastic, moving songs and it totally feels like a “last album” in the best way. I agree that Mirrored Aztec is super across the board… and I *love* Crystal Nuns Cathedral. It’s got sharp songwriting, with a nice consistency across the board. I think it’s a good one to hand off to someone who’s interested in checking them out. Isolation Drills is my other go-to for that reason-great songwriting, super production, excellent playing. Do the Collapse… That was “new” when I started listening to GBV and I’ve always liked the songs… I’d still place Iso Drills over it, but that’s me. Cheers!

[@TheProgCorner]

DTC and Isolation Drills are really special albums for me personally.

[@Sonic_Rebellion]

It’d be awesome if you did a top 20 of all the side projects and solo records. Great video man, Propeller is way too low but I appreciate your love for Collapse (even if it’s ranked a bit too high 😂)…that Collapse tour was absolutely bonkers and ridiculously awesome. Surprised he made it out alive .

[@TheProgCorner]

Definitely planning a Pollard solo album ranking. And a new GbV ranking as soon as the new one’s out…

[@drillbag]

great video! GBV RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! such an amazing body of work that pollard has created through the last 40 years. also i love how your video is only 5 months old but it's out of date, i once owned the "new" Guided by Voices album for a whole three weeks before the new one came out!!!! (this comment will be out of date next week)

[@TheProgCorner]

I am going have to redo this every couple months!!! I may redo it next year after he's got another 5-6 albums out!!!!

[@neasterl]

I agree completely with how surprisingly good Crystal Nun Cathedrals is. Earthquake Glue is also my favorite album of all time by any band ever so glad to see it in your top 10. Lastly, love the RP solo selection you've got there behind you. Would love to see your ranking for those!

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s coming soon!!!

[@worldnotworld]

I don't know why I watched this but I'm glad I did! The more recent material is far more touch-and-go than the "pre-reunion" stuff, and you've pointed out where to go first. Of course any prog fan that actually knows how to ROCK will love GBV. You are on spot, man (though I'm still with the crowd that doesn't like _Do the Collapse_ quite as much!).

[@TheProgCorner]

Ric Ocasek didn’t do those amazing songs the right kind of love. What about the Hold On Hope EP? Man, there were some great tunes coming from Dayton!!!

[@worldnotworld]

​@@TheProgCornerOcasek, seems to me, made _one_ mistake or another on _each_ track on the record. Never anything fatal, but a mistake nonetheless. All the songs are super strong, but Ocasek just didn't quit grasp what could be done with them. Pollard "got" Ocasek better than Ocasek "got" GbV! Compare "Teenage FBI" on DtC with the earlier 7" version: but there's no comparison. _Isolation Drills_ was such a friggin' relief for me: totally high-production that actually totally got it! The _Hold on Hope_ EP is stupendous. "A Crick Uphill," dammit! Stamp your foot and get to church before Gillard's fuzzed octaves knock you on your ass! You're OK!

[@TheProgCorner]

Now we’re talking!!!! 👍👍👍

[@TheElectricfishmusic]

Glad to see Universal Truths and Cycles so high up in the list. Absolutely great album.

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

That's a great proggy one for sure! Contains nearly everything that makes Bob one of the best songwriters of all time.

[@craigtoots3391]

Earthman Blues is my fave #1. Beauty countdown man! 🍻

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you. Yeah, EMB gets better with age!!!

[@ErwinvanMaanen]

Your best review.

[@TheProgCorner]

I really need to review the new one, La La Land!!!

[@Z-eb]

rewatching, spot on those 2 last ones of the 2nd "classic" line up period "cool planet" and before that "English Little League" - Probably both in my bottom of the list !! Good rewatch ! Thanks Scot !!

[@TheProgCorner]

Gonna have to do another one soon!!!

[@tbwatch88]

the black watch love you, scott!

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️⌚️⌚️⌚️

[@Samotbackwards]

Just getting into these guys after listening to Alien Lanes on repeat for last 2 years. Amazing stuff. I've listened to a bunch of stuff now, and Under The Bushes might be my favourite! If you read this, what did you think of the 3 albums they put out last year?

[@TheProgCorner]

Welshpool Frillies was especially good but I was really impressed with the new Circus Devils too!!!

[@wizardofoz6811]

Scot!! Love them!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Me too (obviously!!!) 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@Wither81]

Nice to see some GBV love on youtube. With so much material it’s always gonna be many variations when people pick their favorites. My top9 would be: 9. Earthquake Glue (a fine work and their greatest album in the new millenium. Standout tracks here are My Kind Of Soldier, I’ll Replace you With Machines, Useless Inventions, Jill Hives and Dead Cloud) 8. Do The Collapse (This one has divided many over the years. Old school GBV fans find it way to produced which I can agree on, but still it is a great album. The problem is just that some tracks are quite uninteresting, those that will live on in my memory are Teenage FBI, Wormhole and Wrecking Now) 7. Devil between my toes (their most underrated album that has many many great tunes as Old Battery, Discussing Wallace Chambers, Cyclops, Hey Hey Spaceman, Hanks Little Fingers, Dog’s Out and Captain’s Dead. Yeah it’s bloody fantastic) 6. Mag Earwhig! (This one is where Bob wanted to change this up and teamed up with Cobra Verde. The guitars are rougher but it still smells old school GBV, ME! Are filled with bangers like I Am A Tree, Bulldog Skin, Bomb In The Beehive and Mute Superstar but also just softer amazing tracks such as Not Behind The Fighter Jet, Jane Of the Waking Universe and Sad If I Lost It) 5. Vampire On Titus (Lo-fi anyone? This is without a doubt their dirtiest album of all time. This one is not very radiofriendly but wow what a fine work it is. Tracks like Jar Of Cardinals, World Of Fun, #2 In The Model Home Series and Donkey School are really strong but we also have ”Wished I Was A Giant”, Expecting Brainchild (possibly my fav gbv track), Gleemer and Non-Absorbing that all belong in their greatest track section) 4. Under the bushes, Under the Stars (Now we start reaching another level of greatness. These remaining albums are easier to pick your least favorite tracks rather than the best. But ofcourse i’ll name the highlights here aswell. What about Ironmen Rally Song, Ghosts of a Different Dream, Acorns & Orioles, Underwater Explosions, Man Called Aerodynamics and Cut-Out Witch) 3. Propeller (Masterpiece! This was meant to be their final album so Bob collected the best shit he got. Tracks included in my ”best of gbv”: Over the Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox, Weedking, Quality Of Armor, Unleashed!and Exit Flagger) 2. Bee Thousand (Even better masterpiece. This one put GBV on the Lo-fi map forever and for that we all thank you Bob. Getting hard to just name a few tracks so i’ll just say that the weakest track here is Her Psychology Today) 1. Aliens Lanes (Ah yes finally no1. GBVs finest work and this belongs in my top10 of all time. This albums just flows perfectly for me. The variations of catchy, short acoustic and bombastic hits here blows me away everytime. Bob and Tobin just smashed it out of the park here. It’s beautful, it’s weird and it is just fantastic)

[@TheProgCorner]

GbV are my favorite American band!!! I love them even more than Zappa, Kansas or Styx. The Top Two are really not in question, are they? And I love seeing Devil Between My Toes so high!!! What are your thoughts on the new version of the band? I noticed none of their later LPs made your list…

[@Wither81]

@@TheProgCorner Hey! It always warms my heart when I stumble upon gbv fans. Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes should always be #1 and #2, but i’m pretty sure not all agree on that. And your question about their ”latest” material is something I had to think about. If we start from the reunion with the 2012 LGETF which was then quite a let down but with time and compared to everything released later it has grown on me. After this release it really starts to get fuzzy for me. Sure there are some nice tracks here and there, but mostly from ”the original lineup” albums. A big issue for me is when it’s ”all bob” and no Tobin, we get less variation and tracks are harder to distinguish from each other. Funny enough are Overloaded, Deflect Project and sentimental Wars some of the songs that i’ve played the most from of the ”new gbv era”, songs Bob didn’t even write. But some killer tracks are: Space Gun, Sport Component National, See My Field, Your Lights Are Out, Climbing A Ramp, So to conclude, The New GBV have released good songs but as a whole the albums are sadly quite forgettable. Let me ask you the most important questions of all. Which are GbV ten greatest tracks? //Cris

[@TheProgCorner]

Let’s try: 1. Tractor Rape Chain 2. Game Of Pricks 3. Cut Out Witch 4. Teenage FBI 5. Glad Girls 6. Valuable Hunting Knife 7. Dusted 8. That’s Good 9. Back To The Lake 10. Portable Men’s Society

[@Wither81]

@@TheProgCorner wonderful list! Dusted and That’s Good are really unexpected tracks to see in a top10, all but respect for those picks. I’m gonna work on my list and i’ll publish in as soon i’m ready!

[@TheProgCorner]

Sweet!!! I’m curious to see your list!!!

[@jasonshort1437]

Great list, I mostly agree. I personally think where they are these days is their most proggy.

[@TheProgCorner]

I think your right. Bob is letting it all hang out!!!

[@jeff7764]

I’m jealous of that RP “normal happiness” LP! That is one fantastic album, I still listen to it once a week since it came out in 2006

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s a good one!!!! I’m missing one Pollard LP: Fiction Man!!!! I need it bad…

[@jeff7764]

@@TheProgCorner I can’t find it on vinyl! Wanna sell yours?!?

[@TheProgCorner]

No way, Josè!!!!!

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

Their two studio albums from this year (Crystal Nuns and Tremblers) are incredible.

[@TheProgCorner]

They're on a roll!!!!

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Yeah, top 15 albums for sure!

[@rglass8928]

I have not heard Tremblers yet but I think crystal nuns makes the top ten and possibly best album since under which was the pinnacle. Great post OP

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you kind sir. I’m going to have to do another GbV ranking soon…and a Pollard solo album ranking!!!

[@Lanooski]

yeah my eyes popped outta my head when i saw the signature

[@TheProgCorner]

My boss went to HIGH SCHOOL with Bob at Northridge!!!! So I got the hook up!!!

[@codesk8chill]

I definitely agree Bee Thousand and Alien lanes are their best two records. Hardcore UFOs, Hot Freaks, and I am a Scientist were the songs that made me realize just how great GBV is.

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@kurtispopp]

Bob has a prog influence in his music, and I think it's endearing how he tries to capture the feeling of early Genesis or Yes with simple arpeggios and fakebook chords . Call it "barre chord prog" I guess.

[@TheProgCorner]

I don’t know how he does it!!! But that tan excellent description!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@alaskatoburningmen4549]

Ha,ha, nice one! I don't know much about guitar, but i think i know what you mean, the picking has a definite 70's feel, like in "Flings Of The Waistcoat Crowd" from Pollard's solo album "Kid Marine".

[@johnmorris8472]

Thought you were pretty annoying at first but when you got to warp and woof i changed my mind, good energy for my favorite band of all time

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh wow. Thanks. It’s about time to redo this!!!!

[@Z-eb]

Robert Pollard does also list Selling England By The Pound in his all time top LPs

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes sir!!! The man has great taste.

[@concretespecial9953]

My top 5 in any order: Bee Thousand, Propeller, Vampire on Titus, Alien lanes, and Same place the fly got smashed. Favorite release: no question, KING SHIT & THE GOLDEN BOYS!!! Nice ranking nonetheless.

[@TheProgCorner]

Disarm the settlers, my friend!!!

[@ryanhwalsh]

This dude rules. But ya gotta count Tonics & Twisted Chasers, my man!

[@TheProgCorner]

You're probably right and I just hedged my bets because I don't have a vinyl copy of it. Yet!!!

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

What a killer ranking ! I love GBV.. looking for the best of the 5 newest LP's..what do you think ? Cheers Man !! JT

[@TheProgCorner]

Just getting my sea legs with the new one but DAMN Pollard’s on a roll. GbV are probably the most important band in my life. They mean a lot to me. And living in Ohio exasperates this!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

@@TheProgCorner I like your energy. and enthusiasm about this EPIC Band ! I ordered the newest one.." Crystal Nuns".( vinyl ). and then Warp & Woof" !! ( vinyl ) I have " Alien Lanes".( vinyl ). and on Cd , and a whole slew of GBV. !! Ordered Mirror Aztec" as well.. on vinyl. Thanks for your help on deciphering a handful of great Bob LP's !

[@TheProgCorner]

So much greatness from one mind!!! 👍👍👍

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

@@TheProgCorner So true, absolutely!

[@twerk182]

First off, this is *a* really cool thing you did here. But, I think English Little League belongs waaaay higher. Birds is one of the most rockin songs ever. And, Send to Celeste is great too... in addition to the songs you named. Oh, yeah and what about Islands (She Talks In Rainbows)? And, yes I heard your critique of Sprout's songs overall on this album, but I think you could easily swap places with Styles We Paid For (maybe even substitute it for your #11 choice) and not affect this list at all. Maybe we like different style Guided By Voices songs, you and I? But, I think the only decent song on Styles we Paid For is In Calculus Stratagem (and it ends waaaay too soon.) Anyway, thanks and it is so much fun to try and order something as dense as the GBV catalog. Wait, one more thing. You wouldn't split the money with your band:(?? This is what makes so many "band leaders" such dicks. They wouldn't be anything without the support they get from the people bringing their ideas to life. Be better- lol edit: I left out the article a in bold:)

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m probably going to do a new ranking soon as Bob never sleeps. Styles has moved down a couple spots for me. The biggest mover? Earth Man Blues!!! Man, I’m really liking it these days…but yeah, ELL didn’t hit me as hard as MJ or The Bears did. I will revisit ALL of them!!! Thank you!!!

[@twerk182]

@@TheProgCorner I'll continue to revisit all of them too because I realize sometime it is mood dependent. I listen to their material as often as I can. We are blessed that his output is as prolific as it is. By the way, I've never listened to Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia until just now as I'm typing this and I'm being entirely blown away so thanks for calling my attention to it!

[@TheProgCorner]

It is kinda where the true GbV sound first showed itself. And it’s glorious. In Bob We Trust.

[@auteur55]

Yay a Do the Collapse fan!

[@TheProgCorner]

And the EP too!!!

[@philpockoski4411]

I love that record. Everybody disses it, fukum

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly!!!

[@THEESHITSHOW]

impressive

[@TheProgCorner]

GbV is just too great!!!

[@gabeplankton1291]

Cool. Finally some good wholesome entertainment up in here. I like to say every GBV is the best. I mean Jar of Cardinals/Gold Star for Robot Boy/Metal Mothers, isn't it a little bit like splitting hairs? What's your top 3 records of all time? Quantity, quality & relevancy what more can there be?

[@TheProgCorner]

Tales From Topographic Oceans The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway Bee Thousand

[@TheMusicolophile]

I think this is pretty accurate amongst GBV fans. I would’ve placed Under the Bushes at number one. Nobody’s perfect. Fun times!

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!!

[@petercena9497]

Top 2: Universal truths and Cycles Under the bushes, Under the Stars Someone described Robert Pollard Perfectly when they wrote: He writes songs like we eat potato chips.

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️

[@DamnableReverend]

Never thought of them as "prog" but I don't care either. You should talk about the music you like on your channel! I have Bee Thousand and I never really realised how much stuf they had. I might have to check out some of these other records.

[@TheProgCorner]

I try to stay in my lane but Guided By Voices is a very important band for me personally so…

[@uncleboatshoes]

Now do your top 25 non GBV Pollard albums!

[@TheProgCorner]

Next up: RANKING THE ROBERT POLLARD SOLO ALBUMS!!!

[@EricAndre615]

Well, now you have to do a ranking of all Non GBV Robert Pollard albums

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, there's only around 70 of those!!!!

[@MusicSkyHigh]

Goood Review I really like this band , normally when I really like a band, I to go the shows , download / buy the records and in many cases try the whole discography. Hahahaha when it comes to listening to Guided By Voices albums, where do you start from ? ? ? The first albums I bought were Under The Bushes Under The Stars ( 1996 ) / Alien Lanes ( 1995 ) / Mag Earwhig! ( 1997 ) Isolation Drills ( 2001 ) and Half Smiles Of The Decomposed ( 2004 ) then I managed to download the rest up to Let's Go Eat the Factory ( 2012 ). I am till to try Robert Pollard's solo stuff. Considering I have other bands to go through their discography as well. The problem with Robert Pollard and his Guided By Voice , they make far too much music in a unusual short period of time. I grew up with Vinyl and K7 tapes, but I am done with vinyls and CDs, I don't have the budget and the space. MP3 suits me because I can listen to music when I am out and about and skateboarding or cycling. I highly love checking, appreciating bands art covers. My favourite Guide By Voices Art covers are: Under The Bushes Under The Stars / Half Smiles Of The Decomposed / The Bears For Lunch / Motivational Jumpsuit / Zeppelin Over China / Isolation Drills. It's really hard to keep up with this band albums releases. I don't think they sleep, I think they keep making music 24 hours a day. It feels as if they can release one album one per month.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love them!!!

[@indieguy81]

If you claimed that any other musician had written 15,000 or more songs it would be laughably hyperbolic and an obvious exaggeration, but with Bob Pollard it's actually fucking true.

[@TheProgCorner]

You know it!!!! New album next month too!!!!

[@dreammachine432]

the 4 P's!

[@TheProgCorner]

Hey! I got your EPK!!! Thank you.

[@dreammachine432]

@@TheProgCorner Just throwing it out there... Hope you dig it!

[@drewbjorke9839]

Saw them in Philly twice. Opened up for cheap trick.

[@TheProgCorner]

A legendary tour!!!

[@thedarkwizardroom]

@@TheProgCorner The times I Saw GBV were at club in downtown dayton, once or twice. The once when he and members signed their autographs for me and Bob had his picture taken with me I took and pic of he and my friend. Then I saw him at Edgefest in 96 with the host of day long bands. And at X-Fest 99 with more bands for the day. At Edgefest along with GBV were Poe, Van Goghs Daughter, Howlin Maggie, Magnapop, The Verve Pipe A Flock Of Seagulls and headliner Seven Mary Three. At X Fest along with GBV were Marcy Playground, Fastball, Citizen King, Joydrop, The Verve Pipe,-- Men At Work- Fuel- headliner Jimmie's Chicken Shack. At one show seemed to think Marcy Playground in 99 or Magnapop at Edgefest or one band that didn't show so they had a local artist Jayne Sachs and her band play. But anyway Seeing known bands at the time too of The Verve Pipe, Fastball and like A Flock Of Seagulls and Seven Mary Three and being able to see Men At Work and Fuel and Jimmie's Chicken Shack. Such fun out there with the crowd and great times fests like that were. And GBV great. Maybe it was GBV that didn't make Edgefest? I thought they did and think they did Posted on my shirt they did. . My having the olds I guess lol . They were there for 99 and Bob gave me an autograph once again. My good old friend Bob. Take care.

[@TheProgCorner]

The Verve Pipe!!!

[@kieferlivingston9797]

DAYTON!!! DAYTON!!! DAYTON!!! I have met Robert Pollard. I live a few minutes away from him!

[@TheProgCorner]

Uncle Bob rules!!!

[@indiefan23]

Welp. It's been a year since you made this. Gotta be another 20 albums. Time to redo the list. Lol. I love the it is them cover so much. Mark shue FTW! Shocked you didn't mention electronic windows to nowhere. As a prog guy I get your choices with crystal nuns etc but I'd never put space gun in the top 10. I might put earthman blues in there. I love how you've got nothing negative to say. Just how much you love it all.

[@TheProgCorner]

The more I listen to Earth Man Blues…what a record!!! Yeah, I don’t know what it is about Space Gun but it got me in its cross hairs!!!

[@Jeremy-th5pt]

Biographer Seahorse from English Little League gives me chills

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s a good song!!!!!!!!

[@twerk182]

Everyone in the comments seems to agree that this is one of the lesser albums but I absolutely love it and would rank it much higher.

[@TheProgCorner]

I will give it more consideration when I do my next GbV ranking episode.

[@KingOfHighFives]

Sandbox???? Damn! It's fucking awesome!!

[@TheProgCorner]

It never grabbed me. Bob hates it too. ❤️👍

[@ChrisPartykaMusic]

UTBUTS is truly a great album

[@TheProgCorner]

Indeed it is!!!

[@Jeremy-th5pt]

I quite like Cool Planet. Males of wormwood mars, Cream of lung, bad love is easy to do, the no doubters, authoritarian zoo, etc

[@TheProgCorner]

I wanted to like it so much. Being a huge Kevin March fan I was expecting more…but does Pollard ever release a “bad” record?

[@Jeremy-th5pt]

@@TheProgCorner I know what you mean though. It's not a favorite and you can tell they were getting their footing

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m a Bob fanatic. Even Sandbox is okay in my book!!! My mother-in-law went to Northridge High School with him…

[@hazelnut_2019]

you should do pollards solo albums

[@TheProgCorner]

I want to but I kinda want to get my hands on a vinyl copy of Fiction Man first. It’s the last one I need!!!!!

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

14:36 - Top Ten starts here

[@shiftybat7318]

Getting into the Pollardverse is a daunting task on paper (unless you go through a completionist phase ;) ) and you're gonna dig through a Lot of dross and incompletes and demos, but if you took just two of your favorite tracks from each release the sum would rival Any other band's catalogue in size, scope, and excellence. And remember - they got their start Long before Bee Thousand; it's just that no one noticed yet. My Valuable Hunting Knife is a great biography if you want to get to know the roots and the times, and there are countless good EPs, several of which I see in the background here. Bob hasn't stopped moving forward in 40 years so why should we?

[@TheProgCorner]

Can’t wait for the new album!!!!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

How about a Spritiualized ranking?

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome band!!!

[@duncefunce1513]

Rating English Little League beneath Class Clown Spots UFO got my hackles up.

[@TheProgCorner]

Really? Maybe it’s time for an ELL listening party!!! I always loved Class Clown.

[@duncefunce1513]

@@TheProgCorner dude, to me ELL sounds like the band was gelling. It's murky, but in an atmospheric way, and there's a lot of detail that sounds relaxed, spontaneous, and inspired. I was surprised myself, going back to it, coz I had considered it the runt of that era, but I think they had found a great, filthy groove, actually. Recommend!

[@TheProgCorner]

Zeno Pariah rocks!!!!

[@gernst5345]

I am so fucking happy with your placement of Do the Collapse. I swear it's Pitchfork brain syndrome that causes idiots to write it off.

[@TheProgCorner]

It's just 16 fantastic songs. That's all. People hate change. Their loss!!! Bob still has it though...

[@gernst5345]

@@TheProgCorner He does. If you'd have told me 5 years ago that GBV were going to reform for a third time and make some of my all time favourite records I wouldn't have believed it.

[@TheProgCorner]

@@gernst5345 Couldn't agree more!!!

[@rjpaws]

Spot on order apart from AL should be #1

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s really close!!!

[@TheElectricfishmusic]

I guess I wouldn't put Do the Collapse quite that high ..... but it is great. And the lack of love that it gets from some GBV fans doesn't make any sense to me. Just listen to the songs! Undeniable.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m a sucker for The Cars…

[@mattmacneil3424]

Same Place should be in the top 10! Also, Mirrored Aztec over VAMPIRE and HALF SMILES? To each his own!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Mirrored Aztec so much but yeah, ranked over Vampire (especially,) might be a stretch!!!

[@duncefunce1513]

​@@TheProgCornernot at all, man. A lot of GBV fans romanticise the lo fi years. The current line up is making some of the best music Pollard has ever been involved with.

[@TheProgCorner]

I agree!!!!!

[@joestack1921]

So much word salad yum yum

[@SimMaster]

Alien Lanes might be #1, but some days I think it's Bee Thousand

[@TheProgCorner]

Flip a coin!!!! Even Pollard knows those are his two best albums…

[@GizmoBeach]

There's three incarnations of GBV: 1987 until 2004 - 2012 until 2014 - 2016 until the Present I have zero love for that 2nd one. Six albums and barely a memorable melody across all of those songs. Have enjoyed most of the 2016 albums onward except the first two...August is pale compared to Heaven and Honest is just Pollard anyway.

[@TheProgCorner]

I like those records but you’re right - it’s the band’s weakest period.

[@92jdeg]

Your energy is unreal.. prerecording are you off screen just railing down lines like its 1979, in the studio with Fleetwood Mac recording Tusk.

[@TheProgCorner]

I gave up coke back in the eighties!!! Maybe it's still in my system!!!

[@erichimes3062]

Propeller 🤘😑

[@TheProgCorner]

GbV!!! GbV!!!

[@erichimes3062]

@@TheProgCorner “anybody ready to Raaak?!”

[@joebo1041]

Pretty good assessment except Earthquake Glue, Universal truths and Do the Collapse should be near the bottom with Sandbox.. 99 to 2004 was GBV's blandest era.

[@TheProgCorner]

A lot of people agree with you!!! That’s what’s so great about GbV - no two fans hear their discography alike!!! I do love that first Doug era though…

[@joebo1041]

@@TheProgCorner I do think Doug is probably the most technically proficient musician to play with GBV. He improved their live sound, and I like a lot of his solos especially on the most recent albums.

[@TheProgCorner]

And he’s an all around awesome guy!!! Big fan here.

[@MeanManu]

Correction: Pollard has written over 2000 songs and more

[@TheProgCorner]

I figure it’s a number too high to count!!! Genius.

[@Z-eb]

Waaaaay more than 2000, just think Suitcase 1-4 (thats 400 songs right there!)

[@MeanManu]

@@Z-eb i can’t wait to see if Rockathon will actually produce the Suitcase box set, that’s gonna be heavy… literally

[@Z-eb]

@@MeanManu I DOubt they will do a repress, remember the cds were 4 discs and the LPs ("Briefcase") were 1 discs (but with one or two not on the cdboxsets) I still havent gotten the Suitcase 3 yet, seems Pollard deceided to hang on to most copies and only give/sell to friends and harcore US fans ;((((

[@TheProgCorner]

I need to invest in those Briefcase vinyls. (And yes, I said vinyls.) Or maybe just do the 400 song mega box set!!! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@KingOfHighFives]

"The Who Vs Porky Pig"

[@TheProgCorner]

Love that track!!! One of the few 45s I own is Plantations Of Pale Pink…

[@scottclark1634]

How do you spell heaven should be much higher also its not a reunion album. Great review tho.

[@TheProgCorner]

I meant to say post reunion. I make a lot of mistakes but rarely edit!!!! I really liked Heaven when it first came out but it definitely sank in the rankings. But the Birthday Democrats!!!!

[@edwardfairchild]

Same Place the Fly Got Smashed should be top 5.

[@edwardfairchild]

August By Cake should be top 10.

[@TheProgCorner]

I like ABC a lot but Top Ten you say?

[@edwardfairchild]

Yeah I'd drop Mag Earwig and DtC from the top 10 and replace with those.

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

I always confuse them with the Dandy Warhols...no particular reason...probably just a alt-music defiance...lol

[@TheProgCorner]

Dandy Warhols were pretty great too!!!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

@@TheProgCorner cool like my dream girl, Kim deal!

[@TheProgCorner]

Kim is so awesome!!! I guess Bob and Kim were an item at the time…

[@weinersmalls5684]

alien lanes? what fucking ever.

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

No musical perspective baffles me more than the disdain for Sandbox.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, I just never could get into its sonics…

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

@@TheProgCorner And I'm aware I'm the outlier. I've heard at least two other reviewers pretty much call it the worst thing Bob ever did and I've never come across anyone like me who champions it. Even its fans seem to think it's still "just ok." It just surprises me.

[@TheProgCorner]

A Visit To The Creep Doctor is awesome!!!

[@scott7521]

How Do You Spell Heaven at 31??? Hmmm.... definitely disagree with that one. Pretty good list though

[@TheProgCorner]

(And I gave that a perfectly score over at The Fire Note when it first came out!) thefirenote.com/reviews/guided-by-voices-how-do-you-spell-heaven-album-review/

[@SuperClean89]

Pollard's lyrics not making sense? Why does that not surprise me? 😅

[@TheProgCorner]

Right???

[@nickpetrillo]

Four month later and you’ve already got three more albums to rank 😂

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly!!!

[@SmallvillenerdTwo]

Come on dude Sandbox is far from their weakest record especially when you got underrated gems like Everyday, Long Distance Man, A Visit to the Creep Doctor, etc.

[@TheProgCorner]

I like A Visit To The Creep Doctor a lot but much of Sandbox leaves me cold...

[@eranmenashri7454]

GBV, my all time favorite band. No question about the first 2 places, but I am honestly not sure about your really strange mixture of their early 90's to the later reunion effort... How can you even compare a mediocre album like Crystal Nuns Cathedral or space gun to the pure brilliance of Devil Between My Toes, or Propeller? Which BTW have their 2 most distinct "Prog" songs ever (Mesh Gear Fox & Weed King). Really strange. Seriously? For me personally, everything after Mag Earwhig is like a different band almost. Anyways, it's your choices. I accept that. Just strange. Peace man. In Bob we Trust.

[@TheProgCorner]

I will fight for Space Gun!!!! I hear you though as that run from Propeller to Isolation Drills is unimpeachably great. We all hear Uncle Bob’s genius in a slightly different way. 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🤘🤘🤘

[@TotallyNuss]

Propeller at 8?! The TVT records both in the top 5?!?! Ludicrous. You definitely found GBV much later. Nobody I know who's been listening since at least Propeller would ever agree with that. Those TVT albums were straight up disappointments when they came out according to myself and most people I knew at the time. LoFi early/mid 90's GBV was the band at it's most inspired; their height without question. Down hill from there.

[@TheProgCorner]

I came in at Bee Thousand. So I was a little late!!!