Sweating The Plague (2019)

“’Sweating The Plague’ is dark, cold and a bit abrasive right down to the isolation and distance you feel from just looking at the album’s artwork. It is one heavy listen that has a slow burn density of songs with brilliantly executed shifts which purposefully keep you on an engaged edge from beginning to end. Without a doubt, this Guided By Voices (GBV) represents the best musicians to work together under the name. Every note on this record hammers that point as the group succeeds effortlessly switching genres that includes prog and 90’s rock. Of course, without Robert Pollard steering, ‘Sweating The Plague’, would be somewhat adrift but not only is Pollard steering he is charging ahead here and honestly offers up one of his best and consistent vocal performances. ‘Sweating The Plague’ is not just the best GBV album released this year – it is one of the best overall records released in 2019. ”(The Fire Note)