On the Road Again
Live Reviews:

Guided By Voices
September 24, 1999
Opera House, Toronto

In an interview before the show Guided By Voices leader, Robert Pollard had promised a big rock show for the crowded sold-out show at the Opera House in Toronto. He and his four band-mates followed through on this promise. Featuring the blitzing lead guitar work of ex-Cobra Verde guitarist Doug Gillard and the skillful pounding from ex-Breeder Jim McPherson, Robert Pollard with numerous beer bottles in hand, took the enthusiastic crowd through a raucous energetic show that lasted over two and half hours. The set was a mixture of new songs from the recently released album, Do The Collapseand material from each of the last four Guided By Voices albums. For the first time (for this fan) the band had an actual light show! At many times, the band was engulfed in a thick, deep blood-red illumination that added to the towering intensity of Pollard's performance.

After playing some old favourites like "Tractor Rape Chain" from Bee Thousand and"Game Of Pricks" from Alien Lanes, Pollard led the latest edition of GBV through a half dozen songs from the latest album in succession. They included "Optical Hopscotch," "Surgical Focus" and "Much Better Mr. Buckles" before gracing the appreciative audience with the album's two singles "Teenage FBI" and "Hold On Hope," the latter of which Pollard prefaced with a warning: "The next song is not like anything else I've written... It's a quieter song," Pollard proclaimed.

Throughout the rest of the unrelenting set of under 3 minute songs, older album favourites were in abundance From 1992's Bee Thousandthere was "Hot Freaks", "The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory", "I Am A Scientist" and "Echos Myron." 1994 album Alien Laneswas further represented by "A Salty Salute" and "Game Of Pricks." 1996's Under The Bushes Under the Starsproduced "Cut-Out Witch," Lord Of Overstock" and "No Sky," while " I Am A Tree" and "Bulldog Skin" from 1997's Mag Earwhigwere also performed.

Following a 100 minute set, GBV left the stage, returning quickly for a six-or seven-song encore. Then the band returned for a second encore ending with either "Bulldog" or "Echoes." (I don't really recall after hearing approximately 30 to 40 songs during the concert!) The lights came on and the crowd began to stream out of the Opera House, only to be treated to even more Pollard antics, as the band continued to perform in the glare of the full house lights.

By the end it was difficult for any GBV fan, new or old, to complain that a least one of their favourite songs was not played, though "Goldstar For Robot Boy" was missed from my ultimate GBV set list... Next time, right Bob?

P.S. Robert Pollard's notoriety for consuming beer during his performance is legendary. Though it is true that the "Buds" were disappearing throughout the lengthy performance, I would hazard a guess that he has slowed down the frequency of chugging since his last performance in 1997.