Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Jun 12, 2012
    60
    It's better than your average album, but by the standard of Let's Go Eat the Factory, it leaves a bit to be desired.
  2. Jun 13, 2012
    60
    Most of this record isn't the kind of total genius that can be found elsewhere in their canon but it's a fine album that shows what can be done if bands just relaxed a bit.
  3. Jun 13, 2012
    56
    [Class Clown is] like all GBV releases, a mishmash of melodic, A-side-worthy compositions and half-formed snippets.
  4. Jun 20, 2012
    60
    In among these sporadic highlights, however, are numerous slices of tossed-off nonsense.
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Feb 4, 2014
    7
    So much potential left unfulfilled in the songs
    While this Guided by Voices record has plenty of great ideas and hooks, too often the ideas
    So much potential left unfulfilled in the songs
    While this Guided by Voices record has plenty of great ideas and hooks, too often the ideas are left under developed. The record is nothing if not catchy and the band come together nicely to create a series of melody infused pieces that introduce themselves and then leave before you can get fully acquainted with them.
    For a record full of potential, it does leaves you with a sense that the band are spreading themselves too thin, unwilling to let any idea behind but a consequence of this being that most ideas are never given the full attention they deserved. The title track "Class Clown Spots a UFO" is one of three tracks out of 21 to go over the 3 minute mark. This track is a prime example of how good this record could have been with a little bit of focus - a real catchy number and a pop gem. Billy Wire, another one of the albums longer tracks at just over 2 minutes, is a further example.
    If we had an track album of expanded tracks such as these aforementioned ones, then it would have been an excellent album. As it is, more than half of the record are brief interludes between songs, and these interludes show more potential than the more developed tracks actually deliver.
    Full Review »
  2. Jul 24, 2012
    7
    Admittedly the latest Guided By Voices' album may initially scare by a surprising number of songs contained on it - because very scarcelyAdmittedly the latest Guided By Voices' album may initially scare by a surprising number of songs contained on it - because very scarcely someone put up 21 different - and more importantly - memorable songs on one disc. "Class Clown Spots A UFO" is however a very interesting compilation of short, little more than minute compositions in various musical genres, and what's more importantly - you can not say that the band did not achieved their established goals. Haunting are even songs like the classic-rock "Blue Babbleships Bay" or hard rock, kept in lo-fi "Tyson's High School". Full Review »
  3. Jul 16, 2012
    8
    Robert Pollard is terrifying. How can one man be such an elegant and seemingly effortless songwriter? He