Half-Smiles of the Decomposed

I listened to it this morning for the first time in a long while, and it's actually not a bad little album. I think most -- especially the GBV die-hards -- were hoping for more of an epic grand finale, whereas this is simply a nice record.

If you were disappointed with it back when it first came out, give it another chance. I like it. It's not one of their all-time best, but it's definitely worth a listen.

I think this is one of GBV's stronger efforts - not a perfect album by any means, but much better than their pre-Under the Bushes output.

Yes, I will be crucified for saying that.

GBV is the most over-rated band in history.

I like Half-Smiles a lot.

Actually, that would be The Doors.

fairly malignant: Liz Phair

unfairly maligned: Garbage - Beautiful Garbage

Almost. MBV is the most over-rated band in history.

i concur with konstantinl

I've never even heard that it was maligned at all. I love it, I think it's a great album. Was the maligning a fan-only thing? Because all of the reviews I've ever seen of it spoke of it in glowing terms, all of which I agree.

My sentiments when I got it. Nothing spectacular, but overall a decent listen all the way through. A respectable finish.

Totally agree.

Then again I agree with this too.

Steve

I'm going to relisten today.

Man, that shit was horrible.

Half-Smiles pales in comparison to even Isolation Drills and Universal Truths and Cycles, much less Propeller, UTBUTS, Alien Lanes and Bee Thousand.

That's not to say that it doesn't have good songs. In fact, probably 5 or 6 of the songs are very good to great. However, at least 4 of them are utter garbage. It's a mediocre album overall, but considering I think almost every proper Guided by Voices album made pre-1997 is great, it rates rather low in the overall canon.

by far my least favorite GBV. It's not even close. In fact, this album made me realize that Earthquake Glue was a respectable record. They should have ended with that. That's how much I dislike Half Smiles. damn.

but oh well...I should probably play it again in the near future in any case but good grief..

They're very good pop songs, with a post-millenial Blondie sneer added. Not horrible, just commercial. Certainly not the best Garbage album, but I like it. Very clever tunes.

spade kitty is exactly right.

I agree in comparison to overall, however, to echo FT:



and by virtue of CMJ history I would consider Spade, Aero, and Robot the definitive GBV connosieurs therein...