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| MAGNET
MAGAZINE DOUG
GILLARD After two decades
of hiding his lustrous guitar work behind the names of various Ohio
combos ranging from Death of Samantha and Cobra Verde to Guided
By Voices and several Robert Pollard solo projects, Doug Gillard
has finally decided to stand up and be recognized. It's no surprise
that Gillard, who plays almost all the instruments on his solo debut,
can do thrilling indie-pop jangle like falling off a log. "Valpolicella"
and "Wait For You" resonate as heartily as anything by
Tommy Keene or early Velvet Crush. What's especially appealing on
Salamander, however, is Gillard's flexible voice, a limited tool
he wields most effectively. (Gillard has previous experience behind
the mic in Gem, his mid-'90s band.) In a startling bit of quick-change
artistry worthy of a chameleon on a paisley shirt, "Momma"
finds him mutating from the head-in-the-gas-oven desperation of
Ray Davies to the two-pack-a-day wheeze of the other half of the
Kinks' brother act, Dave Davies. Of course, it's an easily virtuosic
guitar and his Nick Drake-like way with a tune that should help
pay Gillard's room and board in his post-GBV career. (Pink Frost/Big
Takeover, www.pinkfrostrecords.com ) - --Jud Cost
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