Unlike the other "classic lineup" records, nothing really got stuck in my head after listening. Not bad but not up to the absurdly high standard the other three albums set.
Waves by Sprout
Imperial Racehorsing by Pollard are up with anything they've done... if the fuzzed out guitar on Imperial doesn't get you well...
with GBV you have to listen to stuff a bunch of times.. one can't pop it in once .. not saying Azaghal you did that.. just a cautionary tale for those that may be giving them a first chance.. the albums grow on you and the half fleshed out lo-fi vignettes that pepper the album eventually - in a way by feeding and building off of the album- eventually mean something..
I remember the first time I heard Alien Lanes I thought it was crap compared to Bee Thousand.. a few weeks later I preferred it and I do to this day...
The Pollard chorus on the last track:"If you want some, if you need some.. " and the harmonies "AAHH AHH AAAH.." are classic GBV
The album is full of moments like that.. .
Other highlights are Either Nelson (I assume he's talking about Rick Nelson but can't tell who the other is) and Cyclone
I'm far from a "love everything they do..." guy although I did love them from just about day one.. I remember talking about them with Bob Mould about 1994 when they were breaking out and he was just as enamoured as everyone was (Sonic Youth, Breeders, etc)... but they lost me a bit with Mag Earwhig... to have Demos, Sprout, Mitchell and Fennell with JIMMY POLLARD too.. recording a classic type old school GBV album... its a good birthday present for me. Can't wait til they tour...