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Ladt
08-17-2003, 12:09 PM
I'm gonna attempt one of those track by track run through's Mr Lester has done on waved out with Isolation Drills, so feel free to argues/ agree/ ignore me.

Fair Touching- Bit of a misleading operner in that it sounds optimistic (Just the general melody and the line "perhaps the last song you sing will have meaning" seems to be almost optimistic in the face of adversity), and has a bouncy sort of rhythm only really seen again in Glad Girls.

Skills Like This- Like most of this album Bob seems to be looking for a quick fix, and comes to the conclusion that he can't get it. The most who-like song they have ever recorded, especially when the song brakes down with the Keyboards.

Chasing Heather Crazy- Superb song, the opening riff is simple but great, and it has that immediacy without being as shallow as Glad Girls. THe producer Rob Schnapf excels with this song, making it reach its full potential.

Frostman- The first sign of weakness in the album, more or less a throwaway song, with Bob's vocals just about redeeming this song. Again, Bob seems to look for something to save him despite the bad conditions, it's as if he's trying to convince himself it'll be alright despite adversity.

Sister I need Wine- Again, yet another song that sees Bob looking for an instant solution to his problems. The sombre melody and strings make this quite an original GBV song, but in reality it serves only as filler.

Want one- Makes me laugh.

The Enemy- Maybe the enemy in this song is Bob himself? Another song I'm not too fond of, lacks inspiration but has a good instrumental section.

Unspirited- Melodically, much better, it's got a great chorus and again aounds deceptively optimistic despite the lyrics.

Glad Girls- Flawless pop song, really rousing and great to sing along to, although it is shallow in many aspects.

Run Wild- One of my least favourites, again feels tired, like Bob is going through the motions, and is trying to awake something in himself.

Pivitol Film- Better, slightly, has a great riff, but songs like this and Run Wild are vital to Isolation Drills Downfall, doesn't really rock and hasn't got a distinctive melody, or a notable hook like some of the lesser Do the collapse songs like Optical Hopscotch.

How's my drinking? - One of the most honest song's bob ever written, Bob gives a great delivery on this song, and it really leads well into.........

The Brides Have Hit Glass- Melodically, and lyrically, as good as anything from B000, and one of my favourite GBV songs. Another great vocal performance from Bob, direct lyrics and superb production really make this song.

Fine To See you- Again, Bob tries desperately to find the optimistic side in everything yet doesn't sound convincing (there is nowhere to go but up, you know that for I tell you). It has a similar progression to Wrecking Now, although I don't rate it as highly as that song. Nice organ though.

Privately- A bit of a disappointment, given the last three songs are good, it's a reasonable closer but seems to meander a bit. Good strings though.

bitterfruit
08-17-2003, 12:38 PM
Originally posted by Ladt
The Brides Have Hit Glass- Melodically, and lyrically, as good as anything from B000, and one of my favourite GBV songs. Another great vocal performance from Bob, direct lyrics and superb production really make this song.


Obviously, this is a deeply personal song to P. Bobby. It's my favorite off the album.

largeheartedboy
08-17-2003, 12:42 PM
What happened to "Twilight Campfighter"? (My second favorite song on the album, after "The Brides Have Hit Glass")

cungar
08-17-2003, 01:20 PM
That's what I was thinking. That's the song I most identify with the album.

Ladt
08-17-2003, 02:08 PM
Whoops, where'd that go?
Ok, Twilight campfighter-
The chord pattern that doesn't seem to be resolved seems to be symbolic of the theme of the song, again it is looking for a sloution and not exactly getting to it. Sorry if that is taking it on face value but that's what most of the album seems to be about.

captain
08-17-2003, 02:38 PM
Originally posted by Ladt

Unspirited- Melodically, much better, it's got a great chorus and again aounds deceptively optimistic despite the lyrics.

in actuality, this is one of the most optimistic songs on the album--and the lyrics are really what make the song such a positive one. It's really the protaganist laughing at people who try too hard to live according to a standard while he is happy and whole doing things his way (which may be the "unpopular" route). I love this song.

Ladt
08-17-2003, 02:41 PM
I disagree, and Bob has even said in an interview that the person who is unspirited in the song is himself, he said it is a reflection of the way he was feeling at the time, and looking at himself and assessing the situation.

Jason
08-17-2003, 06:01 PM
It might be the only GbV album that I liked immediately on first listen. Though it still got better with repeat spins, I didn't need any time for ID to grow on me. It sounds to me like their are at least 12 or 13 singles on it. Ultimately taste is taste, but I've never understood why consensus on this is so mixed.

I think the "Pivotal Film" is the best track. As far as pure rocking goes, at least. I'm surprised they haven't kept it in the live setlist.

captain
08-17-2003, 06:27 PM
Originally posted by Ladt
I disagree, and Bob has even said in an interview that the person who is unspirited in the song is himself, he said it is a reflection of the way he was feeling at the time, and looking at himself and assessing the situation.


hmm. interesting--then who is the "I" in "I'm the one who does it painlessly" and who is the other person who "loses it all and thinks of me [him]" and "takes the fall and drinks to me [him]"? I'm not trying to say you're wrong right off the bat, I just was wondering what your thoughts were, cos it seems that whenever "I" or "me" is used in the song it's relatively positive and opposite of the one who "loses" or "falls," etc. Even if the "me" or "I" in the song is not Bob necessarily, it does sound very affirming for the protaganist of the song, regardless of who the protaganist may be. I hope my question makes sense.

Jason
08-17-2003, 06:46 PM
There's at least one interview where Bob says "Unspirited" was written to his son.

Jason
08-17-2003, 06:50 PM
Gail Worley interviews Bob: http://www.ink19.com/issues/april2001/inkSpots/guidedByVoices.html

Yeah, let’s talk about that. My favorite song on Isolation Drills is "Unspirited," and I have to ask if there is a good story behind that song.

That song's kind of about how I felt at the time. Things were going on in my life where I kind of thought I was losing my shit a little bit. I felt like I was unspirited. The way to deal with it was just to become numb and not give a fuck about anything. It was also like a song to my son, too; sometimes I write songs to my son. That was another one of my choices for singles from this record, but my choices never happen.