Half Smiles of the Decomposed

Rock · 2004 · 15 tracks · 48m

Half Smiles of the Decomposed

Guided by Voices

A polished, bittersweet farewell defined by shimmering power-pop hooks and a rare sense of midwestern elegance. The sound of a legendary band cleaning up to say goodbye.

August 6, 2004 · Matador

A dignified and melodic farewell that balances the joy of creation with the sadness of an ending.

Tracklist · 15 Tracks · 48m

01

Everybody Thinks I’m a Raincloud (When I’m Not Looking)

3:21

02

Sleep Over Jack

3:05

03

Girls of Wild Strawberries

2:30

04

Gonna Never Have to Die

2:18

05

Window of My World

2:58

06

The Closets of Henry

2:31

07

Tour Guide at the Winston Churchill Memorial

3:02

08

Asia Minor

2:24

09

Sons of Apollo

4:04

10

Sing for Your Meat

4:04

11

Asphyxiated Circle

2:50

12

A Second Spurt of Growth

2:46

13

(S)mothering and Coaching

3:22

14

Huffman Prairie Flying Field

3:16

15

The Mind Refuser

5:35

Moments Worth Listening For

The triumphant, soaring guitar melody that opens 'Everybody Thinks I’m a Raincloud' signaling a grand exit.

The gentle, pastoral acoustic strumming on 'Girls of Wild Strawberries' that feels like a rare moment of pure folk clarity.

The sprawling, psychedelic fade-out of 'The Mind Refuser' which serves as a five-minute funeral march for the band's first era.

Reviews

AllMusic

Where This Album Departs

How does Half Smiles of the Decomposed sound next to the rest of Guided by Voices's catalogue?

Golden Hour+4.0σ

Golden Hour saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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