Search - Eyesinweasel :: Live in the Middle East

The Other Guy

01/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It seems like most GbV fans weren't even aware Bob Pollard's old songwriting foil Tobin Sprout had undertaken his first live performances since leaving Guided By Voices in 1996, until after the fact. Hence, this live album recorded at the Boston stop of his very brief East Coast tour in the fall of 2000 is a terrific souvenir for those folks. Why, then, is it billed to 'eyesinweasel'? Well, Tobe's got an extremely rocking band backing him up, featuring Nick Kizirnis and none other than fellow ex-GbV'er Dan Toohey on bass. Personally I don't think Toby's songwriting talents are quite as impressive as his former boss', but at the same time there's an extremely appealing, unassuming quality in the majority of his work that ol' Bob sometimes ignores in favor of over-reaching for that 'RAWK' gold ring. Which isn't to say eyesinweasel don't rock. Represented here are 27 songs of an apparent 45 song-set, and the hooks just don't let up. The small but appreciative audience enthusiastically reposnd to hearing both new songs, and, remarkably, pretty much EVERY major Sprout-composed GbV track. From obvious standouts like 'Mincer Ray' and 'To Remake the Young Flyer', to ultra-obscure tracks like 'Scissors' and 'Dodging Invisible Rays', and finally the perfect set-closing "Little Whirl", Sprout digs deep into his back catalog and it pays off. GbV fans re-introduced to Toby's songwriting by way of his recent 'Airport 5' collaborations with Bob Pollard would do really well to check out this album, and hope that the rumours that Toby will be joining GbV on tour this spring are true."