from Guided By Voices official site

After almost 20 years, assorted lineups, and countless albums, EPs, singles, triples, stolen bases, misdemeanor convictions, and broken hearts, Dayton, OH's fortunate sons are taking leave of your senses. 'Half Smiles Of The Decomposed,' to be released August 24 on Matador Records, will be the final album from Guided By Voices, one of the most acclaimed independent rock bands of all time.

"This feels like the last album for Guided By Voices," explains Robert Pollard, GBV's lone constant member, lead singer, and famously prolific songwriter. "I've always said that when I make a record that I'm totally satisfied with as befitting a final album, then that will be it. And this is it."

'Half Smiles Of The Decomposed' is the band's 15th full-length studio release, following 2003's 'Earthquake Glue' and retrospective box set, greatest-hits, and DVD releases. Although its tour later this year will be the band's last, Robert Pollard will continue writing, recording, and (possibly) touring as a solo artist. "I love the guys in the band, but I'm getting too old to be a gang leader," he explains. "There's a sense of maturity, and even integrity, I think, in continuing as one's own self."

Here's my take:

Should it really be called "breaking up?" I mean, no matter what anyone in that band would tell you, Bob Pollard is GBV. Since Tobin Sprout left, all of the "other" members seem to have been nothing more than hired guns - they do what Pollard tells them to. So when Bob Pollard says GBV is "breaking up," what he really means is, "I'm going to go on doing the same thing I've been doing for the last 20 years, but the supporting cast around me might fluctuate slightly more than it has in the past." I dunno. I guess as far as I can tell, GBV has already been a Bob Pollard solo project for about 5 or 6 years now, so what is really changing, other than the name?

I'm curious to hear what the GBV super-fans have to say about this news.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 5:13 pm on Apr. 25, 2004)

This deeply saddens me.

James Riott is the man for this.

I am sad as well. I am just now getting into them and now it's over. At least there's one more tour.

i have to agree.

this is sad.

i saw them open for cheap trick in '97. it was a good show. they did a few cheap trick covers.

This is sad news...James Riot IS the man to listen to on this subject and he is a wreck. I'm sure he will comment ASAP. I think he and I are going to follow GBV to the end. There is a report that their last show will be New Years' Eve in New York. Screw my job! James Riot, I love you and it will be okay.

Sounds like a good way to sell an album.

I'll agree with Jamie here. I feel that if anything this so-called "break up" of Guided By Voices will be symbolic in the transfer-of-Iraqi-sovereignty kind of way. Bob's the guy and he clearly doesn't give two shits who's in the band with him. It's been his thing for a long time. I'm personally not that bothered by this. GBV made a couple of amazing records and a lot of mediocre ones, not to mention the rest of Bob's self-indulgent pap. I'd say the "famously prolific songwriter" needs to fill the void left by his cardboard cutout band with an editor.