Earthquake Glue
by Guided by Voices
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 19, 2003
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22

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  1. brokenchameleon
    Nov 18, 2012
    1
    It pains me to say, being that Robert Pollard is one of my favorite songwriters, that this is the weakest album in the Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard solo canon. Apart from the stellar Best of Jill Hives, there are but only a handful of melodies that are memorable and most of the album is buried under thick, compressed, muddy production. I recognize that a lot of critics and fansIt pains me to say, being that Robert Pollard is one of my favorite songwriters, that this is the weakest album in the Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard solo canon. Apart from the stellar Best of Jill Hives, there are but only a handful of melodies that are memorable and most of the album is buried under thick, compressed, muddy production. I recognize that a lot of critics and fans alike have overwhelmingly praised the album, however it continually disappoints whenever I give it a spin.… Collapse
  2. BrianM.
    Aug 30, 2003
    8
    Pretty solid album from start to finish. It has a nice sound to it and the production compliments the songs. If you like Isolation Drills or Universal Truths and Cycles, then you'll be in for a treat.
  3. [Anonymous]
    Aug 19, 2003
    7
    Sonically this is closest to Isolation Drills; the songwriting reminds me most of frontman Pollard's late-90s solo work. The album has a handful of immediately accessible tracks, but overall it seems fractured and directionless on first listen. Many of the songs cohere & reveal their charms with time and patience. "The Best of Jill Hives" is up with the band's best work.
  4. TravisF
    Aug 20, 2003
    10
    More brilliant with each listen
  5. SteveB
    Aug 28, 2003
    10
    great album
  6. bellet
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    great
  7. AllergicReaction
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Fantastic. Just below the stuff from Propeller through Mag Earwig, but still a 10. Great stuff.
  8. Oscar-1823
    Apr 6, 2018
    8
    Great album, virtually every song on this release is very good. A vast improvement from the last album Universal Truths and Cycles, perfecting a production that will please classic fans and mainstream listeners alike with a pleasing assortment of songs.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    90
    If Earthquake Glue isn't a masterpiece, it's as close as this band can be expected to get, and is the rare Guided By Voices effort that's imaginative enough for longtime loyalists and tight enough for dabblers at the same time.
    Read full review
  2. Flak Magazine
    80
    The band functions as a unit, informing the songs with a structure and a fully realized design that has sometimes been lacking in past albums.
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  3. Junkmedia
    100
    Their best album since 1996's brilliant Under the Bushes, Under the Stars.
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