Robert Pollard

Former Guided by Voices front-man Robert Pollard has wholeheartedly embraced middle age. Since turning 50 in 2007, the indie legend has released seven LPs. Moses on a Snail (Pollard's 15th solo release and second of 2010) continues his creative spell, as ten of the 12 tracks were written in a single afternoon. On songs like retrospective/introspective jangler "Arrows and Balloons" and the throbbing, rhythm conscious "How I've Been in Trouble," Pollard sounds exactly like he always has: a little Nikki Sudden and a lot like Ray Davies. Multi-instrumentalist/producer Todd Tobias's influence rears its head on "A Constant Strangle" and "Ice Cold War," both dipping into that '90s, murky grunge territory that GBV were brainy enough to avoid back in the day. Like Mark E. Smith, Pollard continues to pump out an astonishing amount of music, swinging at every pitch. Moses on a Snail isn't a homerun, but it's not a strikeout either. Let's call it a bunt.