Written by: Dan Coffey
In the spirit of the sampler, a nugget of a review:
A cruise through the 4th four-disc set of Guided by Voices “Suitcase” series -an ongoing project curating the band’s depthless odds and ends – Briefcase 4: Captain Kangaroo Won the War is an excellent half-hour sampler. It’s a sort of power nap fever dream of Robert Pollard’s blind alleys, some of which ended up transforming into actual GbV songs. One would think that songs 301-400 would be the equivalent of breaking through the bottom of the barrel, but Pollard continues to surprise.
This is a rough collection, to be sure, but no rougher than much of what’s been released over the years under the Guided by Voices name. Through it all, Pollard’s knack for offbeat and infectious melodies, and the equally infectious enthusiasm he brings to them, shine brightly like the sun coming through the window of a record store whose dollar bin contains gem after unexpected gem. I’d say it gets better at the bottom, but after four of these things, I’m no longer sure Pollard has one.
