June 17, 2002

Guided By Voices : Universal Truths And Cycles

Alt.rock mainstays' millionth album. Possibly

8 / 10 Ohio's Guided By Voices had been quietly carving out a niche for themselves as a sort of college rock Grateful Dead long before The Strokes started namechecking them. Together for 20 years, this is their umpteenth longplayer and is much, much better than a record made by chronically drunk middle-aged men has any right to be.

After a fan-furying tenure recording in posh studios, with 'Universal Truths And Cycles' former school teacher and full-time Beatles fan Robert Pollard and his cohorts have returned to what they do best: making off-kilter mid-fi guitar rock. 'Back To The Lake' is an anthemic stomp, while 'Everywhere With Helicopter' neatly sums up GBV's enduring appeal: they're one of life's most deeply reliable pleasures.

Pat Long