Robert Pollard

"Two albums. One day!” If there’s ever a quote to lead me running in the opposite direction, it’s definitely that one. But wait! For the first time since the end of GBV, Pollard has actually fashioned enjoyable, eminently listenable albums. His previous solo efforts have been spotty at best, with those crunchy, fun rock numbers interspersed with patience-taxing shit heaps of sound that Pollard calls "songs.” But, especially with Coast to Coast Carpet of Love, Pollard tones it all down and there’s an interesting consistency to the light touch he brings to his melodies. Now, this isn’t deep or genre-changing music but, more often than not, it’s fun and, obviously, quite catchy. Gargoyle is the rougher of the two and thus more fraught with danger than Carpet but, amazingly, those GBV nuts that have been waiting for Pollard’s genius to re-emerge may just be convinced that this double shot is evidence that he can still wow ’em. And damn it, they just might be right.