Closer You Are

By: Matthew Cutter

Narrated by: Matt Amendt

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

The authorized biography of Robert Pollard, indie-rock icon and founder of the music group Guided by Voices

Robert Pollard has been a staple of the indie-rock scene since the early '80s, along with his band Guided by Voices. Pollard was a longtime grade school teacher who toiled endlessly on his music, only finding success after adopting a do-it-yourself approach, relying on lo-fi home recordings for much of his and his band's career. A prolific artist, Pollard continues to churn out album after album, much to the acclaim of critics and his obsessive and devoted fans. But his story has never been faithfully told in its entirety. Until now.

Author Matthew Cutter is a longtime friend of Pollard, and with Pollard's blessing, he's set out to tell the whole, true story of Guided by Voices. Closer You Are is the first book to take an in-depth look at the man behind it all, with interviews conducted by the author with Pollard's friends, family, and bandmates, along with unfettered access to Pollard himself and his extensive archives. 

Robert Pollard has had an amazing and seemingly endless career in rock music, but he's also established himself as a consummate artist who works on his own terms. Now fans can at long last learn the full story behind one of America's greatest living songwriters. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2018 Matthew Cutter (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Great book for someone new to GBV

The narrator mispronounces several surnames throughout book. Perhaps someone should have coached on correct pronunciation of names at the outset of recording session?

Really reinforces just how much great work Pollard has accomplished

Very enjoyable listen. Great in-depth look at the best and most prolific songwriter out there

Good Book, Bad Narrator

I enjoyed the story of GBV, but the narrator was wrong for the book. For this reason, it took me a long time to get through it.

Much greater than you think

Became a fan in the Bee Thousand days, though never delved too deeply into the world beyond the music. What an enlightening book. So much insight in Bob Pollard’s development of the band and his music, of his struggles and successes, and into the songs themselves. A truly entertaining biography of an unstoppable rock and roll master.

GBV completist? This is for you

Loved listening to this audiobook and alternating between stories of the making of the albums that make up the Guided By Voices catalog, and listening to the albums themselves...audiobooks are a great format for this kind of listening. Many great little information nuggets in here for the GBV fan, including ample opportunity to identify shows you might have been at at various points in the band’s history.

GBV GBV GBV

A must for GBV fans. I think anyone who likes music would be interested too, particularly in the early chapters. The DIY approach of Pollard and Co. the comradery of the group and the vindictation Propeller brought to Pollards rock and roll dream are all well told, interesting and would strike a chord with most people. There's sections later on I would have liked to hear about in more detail, the classic line-up reunion and Boston Spaceships for example but there's so much to cover with Pollard and the author did a fantastic job.