Mag Earwhig!
Encyclopedia
Mag Earwhig! is a 1997 (see 1997 in music
) album release by indie rock
band Guided by Voices
. Following the dissolution of the "classic lineup," band-leader Robert Pollard
hired Cleveland rockers Cobra Verde
and formed a new GBV unit. This move was somewhat controversial among GBV fans, especially those who were loyal to the lo-fi lineups stretching back to the mid-1980s. Mag Earwhig! is a step-up in production from the band's trademark lo-fi sound; the Matador Records description of the record mentions that a first set of tracks were recorded with "a real producer," former Reivers
leader John Croslin (who also produced Spoon
's early records, and who is credited on this record as engineer rather than producer). A second session included "spontaneous, basement-sounding stuff." While the album includes a few tracks with the classic lineup ("Jane of the Waking Universe" being the last), the so-called "Guided by Verde" grouping is the album's dominant force.
according to GBV frontman Robert Pollard
. In the words of the band's press release for the album:
The press release also goes on to state that "despite the progressive conceptual 70's mindset informing this project, the record is still a collection of beautifully twisted pop songs and can be listened to as either an opera or just a series of
rock arias."
unless otherwise noted.
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
) album release by indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
. Following the dissolution of the "classic lineup," band-leader Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard is an American rock musician and singer-songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices, who disbanded in 2004, only to reform in 2010...
hired Cleveland rockers Cobra Verde
Cobra Verde (band)
Cobra Verde is a Cleveland, Ohio-based rock band best known for:* Being Robert Pollard's backing band for Guided by Voices from 1996 to late 1997.* Appearing in The OC as a Foreigner cover band in 2006....
and formed a new GBV unit. This move was somewhat controversial among GBV fans, especially those who were loyal to the lo-fi lineups stretching back to the mid-1980s. Mag Earwhig! is a step-up in production from the band's trademark lo-fi sound; the Matador Records description of the record mentions that a first set of tracks were recorded with "a real producer," former Reivers
The Reivers (band)
The Reivers were a pop band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1984 as Zeitgeist, they were forced to change their name before releasing their second album in 1987, due to another group claiming prior rights to the name...
leader John Croslin (who also produced Spoon
Spoon (band)
Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
's early records, and who is credited on this record as engineer rather than producer). A second session included "spontaneous, basement-sounding stuff." While the album includes a few tracks with the classic lineup ("Jane of the Waking Universe" being the last), the so-called "Guided by Verde" grouping is the album's dominant force.
Mag Earwhig as a rock opera
Mag Earwhig! is a rock operaRock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
according to GBV frontman Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard is an American rock musician and singer-songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices, who disbanded in 2004, only to reform in 2010...
. In the words of the band's press release for the album:
"Pollard is the main character in this sprawling narrative, an insectile
cartoon figure named the Magnificent Earwhig, who interacts with a wild
cast of characters in songs evoking nostalgiac memories of an Ohio
boyhood, starting one's first band, and inhaling American roadside pop
culture."
The press release also goes on to state that "despite the progressive conceptual 70's mindset informing this project, the record is still a collection of beautifully twisted pop songs and can be listened to as either an opera or just a series of
rock arias."
Track listing
All songs written by Robert PollardRobert Pollard
Robert Pollard is an American rock musician and singer-songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices, who disbanded in 2004, only to reform in 2010...
unless otherwise noted.
- "Can't Hear the Revolution" – 1:36
- "Sad If I Lost It" – 3:10
- "I Am a Tree" (Doug GillardDoug GillardDoug Gillard is a guitarist and songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio who has performed with bands and artists such as Death Of Samantha, Gem, Cobra Verde, Guided by Voices, Richard Buckner, Children's Crusade, Starvation Army, Yuji Oniki, My Dad is Dead, The Mice, Bill Fox, Fence Lions, Zest Of Yore,...
) – 4:40 - "The Old Grunt" – 1:28
- "Bulldog Skin" – 2:59
- "Are You Faster?" (Jim Pollard, R. Pollard, Tobin SproutTobin SproutTobin Sprout is an American artist and musician, best known for his contributions as a member of indie rock group Guided by Voices.-History:A self taught musician. From an early age he played with and was a major collaborator to the Dayton, OH band Guided By Voices...
) – 1:13 - "I Am Produced" (R. Pollard, Sprout) – 1:06
- "Knock 'Em Flyin'" – 1:52
- "Not Behind the Fighter Jet" – 2:13
- "Choking Tara" – 1:24
- "Hollow Cheek" – :32
- "Portable Men's Society" – 4:16
- "Little Lines" – 2:02
- "Learning to Hunt" – 2:24
- "The Finest Joke Is Upon Us" – 3:08
- "Mag Earwhig!" – :39
- "Now to War" – 2:44
- "Jane of the Waking Universe" – 2:25
- "The Colossus Crawls West" – 2:13
- "Mute Superstar" – 1:24
- "Bomb in the Bee-Hive" – 2:03