The vast majority of great
GBV releases, whether they be full-lengths or singles, are notable for at least one or two classic
Robert Pollard pop anthems -- the kind of instantly memorable, undeniably rousing crowd-pleasers he writes with a frequency and proficiency unmatched by any of his contemporaries.
Get Out of My Stations is the exception: an abrasive, experimental outing (befitting its release on the abrasive, experimental Siltbreeze label), its seven songs favor minor-key melodies, musique-concrete sound effects and fragmented arrangements, yet unlike GBV's more misguided leaps of faith, the music here is consistently compelling and listenable. While the
McCartney-esque "Melted Pat" is the closest thing to a conventional Pollard composition, the clear highlight is the opening "Scalding Creek," an impressively weird stab at penning a campfire folk ballad. ~ Jason Ankeny