Robert Pollard: Moses On A Snail

Robert Pollard
Moses On A Snail
Guided By Voices Inc. [2010]









Fire Note Says: A more reflective Pollard just keeps his creative streak and noteworthy solo releases rolling on!

Album Review:
Lately it has been a bit easier to keep up with Robert Pollard and musically separate his work into the three camps of solo, Boston Spaceships and Circus Devils. The other outlets for Pollard allow an album like Moses On A Snail to be released, as it probably compares to some of his most mature work to date. Where the Spaceships allow him to rock out and the Devils always succeed in twisting noise, Pollard's third avenue under his own name lets his songwriting be the focus. This is the true backbone on Moses On A Snail, as the record is more reflective and downbeat - yet just as melodic, catchy and memorable as some of his outright rockers. It is the sort of record you would expect a veteran 52 year old artist to create at this point in his career, as you can tell Pollard is in complete control and simply relaxed composing these 12 tracks with the instrument help from the consistent Todd Tobias. Even the album's cover art has Bob staring out over water, which perfectly captures the overall tone presented here compared to Pollard's standard collage work we have come accustomed to. By no means does any of this make Moses On A Snail a yawner, as it has plenty of quick paced 2 minute tracks and slow burning numbers that each posses their own rock anthems. With tracks like the poppy foot tapping "Arrows And Balloons" and the soaring 5 minute closing title track, Moses On A Snail represents another solid offering from Pollard and should be well received from critics and fans alike!

Key Tracks: "Each Is Good In His Own House", "Moses On A Snail", "Arrows And Balloons"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Paul Weller
Bob Mould
David Bowie

Robert Pollard: We All Got Out Of The Army [Fire Note Review 2/10/10]
Robert Pollard: Silk Rotor 7" [Fire Note Review 2/10/10]
Boston Spaceships: Licking Stamps And Drinking Shitty Coffee [Fire Note Review 12/10/09]
Guided By Voices: Suitcase 3 (Up We Go Now) [Fire Note Review 11/9/09]
Robert Pollard: Elephant Jokes [Fire Note Review 8/6/09]
Robert Pollard: The Crawling Distance [Fire Note Review 1/16/09]
Robert Pollard: The Butler Stands For All Of Us 7" [Fire Note Review 11/11/08]
Robert Pollard: Robert Pollard Is Off To Business [Fire Note Review 6/16/08]
Robert Pollard: Superman Was A Rocker [Fire Note Review 2/12/08]
Robert Pollard: Coast To Coast/Gargoyle [Fire Note Review 10/16/07]
Robert Pollard: Silverfish Trivia EP [Fire Note Review 4/23/07]
Robert Pollard: Normal Happiness [Fire Note Review 10/12/06]
Robert Pollard: From A Compound Eye [Fire Note Review 4/19/06]

Official Robert Pollard Website
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GBV Inc. Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony