Half Smiles Of The Decomposed - Guided by Voices
Half Smiles Of The Decomposed Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: After 20 years and over 20 albums, Dayton, Ohio's Guided By Voices (led throughout its duration by Robert Pollard) is calling it quits with this final release.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    One of the highlights of their career.
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    A more pop-oriented approach, with acoustic textures and melancholic tendencies that recall some of the band's finer work. [#7]
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    The best Guided By Voices album yet. [28 Aug 2004, p.57]
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  4. Mojo
    60
    It's hardly a career-defining collection. [Sep 2004, p.98]
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See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. JorgeC
    10
    Robert Pollard is from another planet.
  2. RA
    8
    It's not my favorite GVB album, but there are a few solid tracks. I'm not disappointed because Bob Pollard will continue to write songs and perform. Luck for us as we are in rock's nadir.… Expand
  3. aaronL
    7
    Overall this record has a darker, more introspective feel than most GbV stuff, and the more progressive-influenced songwriting feels out of character for the group. Easily this is the least essential GbV record, but at the same time it is so intrieguing - mostly because it's so different.… Expand
  4. JohnR
    1
    Oh Bob what happened? You created your worst album, and then you say goodbye. Perhaps it's just a ruse. At least that's what I';m hoping.… Expand

See all 12 User Reviews

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