Normal Happiness

Bob Pollard is the musical equivalent of an action painter. He writes and records in motion, he doesn’t think too much about it, he doesn’t slow down, and he goes with his gut ending up wherever the day takes him. This is his second solo album of 2006 and like all of his output – most recorded as Guided By Voices – it’s an exciting mélange of pop styles that hits the ear with an agreeable, familiar cadence and yet an element of strangeness that makes each listen a new experience. You can hear glimpses of old school influences -- the Kinks, the Bee Gees, the Free Design – and shared faith with modern stylists – the Clientele, Belle & Sebastian. Yet, there’s never any question that here is another Bob Pollard production, as the lyrics and song titles pile up in good humor (“Serious Bird Woman (You Turn Me On),” “Tomorrow Will Not Be Another Day”), his vocals stray towards an English accent, and the songs whisk past at 16 in 35 minutes.