It always seems to happen. As soon as you start seeing solo LPs, expect the band in question to split up soon. Sure enough, just as this LP and
Tobin Sprout
's simultaneously released
Carnival Boy
appeared, there came the news that
Sprout
was departing the ultra-prolific,
Robert Pollard
-led
Guided by Voices
to pursue his own projects. (
Pollard
never let him compose and sing more than a couple of
pop
gems per
GBV
album.) While this development really stinks, the good news is that
Not in My Airforce
(and
as well) suggests that the sound, style, and spirit of this uniquely talented outfit will continue unmolested.
's first solo LP, which includes
Kevin Fennell
on drums, is the equal of the previous few
LPs. The tracks are as consistently enjoyable as those on
Under the Bushes Under the Stars
. In addition,
ushers back in the little snippets that enlivened
Bee Thousand
, yet he keeps the LP from seeming too hodgepodge and incoherent, as was the case with the otherwise brilliant but spotty
Alien Lanes
. The opening
"Maggie Turns to Flies"
goes to the head of the class as the most exciting, killer
track ever (just ahead of
'
"My Son Cool"
and
Propeller
's epic
"Under the Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox"
). And so many others, such as
"Girl Named Captain,"
"I've Owned You for Centuries,"
the reverse-field
"King of Arthur Avenue,"
the spry
"Get Under It,"
and the ringing, acoustic numbers
"The Ash Gray Proclamation"
"Roofer's Union Fight Song,"
immediately satisfy.
has clearly penned a
LP -- and a minor classic, at that! ~ Jack Rabid