After a deluge of solo records, Robert Pollard’s decision to re-form Guided By Voices (the original, classic line-up, no less) seemed strange. After all, he effectively WAS Guided by Voices, right? What could a reunion album do that one of his own solo records wasn’t doing?

The answer to theses questions comes in the shape of Let’s Go Eat The Factory, a record that both vindicates his decision to reconvene the band, whilst continuing to leave certain problems with the band unaddressed. Pollard is prolific, and quality control has never been a concern, so the album weighs in at a healthy 21 tracks, most of which are under three minutes. Pollard’s solo material focussed primarily on him, but GBV justify the “reunion” tag by reminding us what a great band they were, as well as showing up Pollard’s solo records as being the product of one man’s vision.

The key to the success of the album lies not in the songs, which are of the variable quality we’ve come to expect from the band, enjoyable whilst you’re hearing them, but the barrage of music preventing anything from sticking in the brain too easily, but in the feel of the album. Recorded in a variety of basements, garages, and living rooms, as well as studios, GBV have successfully managed to re-capture that notion that they’re making music for themselves, rather than anyone else. The mood is one of kicking back, opening a few beers, and just making some kick-ass noise in a break from the day job.

GBV brought high art principles to a blue collar work ethic, and Let’s Go Eat The Factory is a solid return to the blueprint that made them famous. Expect about 30 albums of varying quality in the next few months. Steven Rainey

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KEY TRACKS: ‘THE UNSINKABLE FATS DOMINO’, ‘HOW I MET MY MOTHER’.

FOR FANS OF: PAVEMENT, SEBADOH, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE.