Pollard began releasing solo records in 1996, alongside regular releases from Guided by Voices. These albums were typically recorded with a small group consisting of current or former Guided by Voices members, and they were generally considered to informally be part of the Guided by Voices canon, as that band would regularly perform selections from the solo releases in concert.
After the dissolution of Guided by Voices in 2004, Robert Pollard launched his official solo career with the release of From a Compound Eye in February 2006. Pollard's recent studio work has eschewed the live-band format, instead relying on the multi-instrumental talents of Todd Tobias, who produced several Guided by Voices albums. In 2006, he resumed touring with a new band informally dubbed "The Ascended Masters", which featured Tommy Keene on lead guitar and keyboards, Dave Phillips on guitar, Jon Wurster on drums, and Jason Narducy on bass. After Normal Happiness was released, the band returned to the road but subsequent to the cancellation of some 2006 dates due to a leg injury, Pollard announced his retirement from touring. Pollard, however, has since toured with Boston Spaceships.
Pollard resides just outside of Dayton, OH. with his wife, Sarah.
Pressurized
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
of our good people
at peace with equality
vast
northern
neighborly
all the properties that call us home
from wherever our swollen feet
are mistreated
by uncompromising streets
In "Pressurized," Robert Pollard reflects on the complexities of society and how people can become disenfranchised from their own communities. The opening line, "yes, the fruits and spoils of our good people," suggests that there are benefits and rewards to living in a society where people work hard and contribute to the collective wellbeing. However, Pollard also acknowledges that this idealized vision of society may not always be the reality. The line "at peace with equality" implies that there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone is truly equal in society.
The lyrics "vast northern neighborly all the properties that call us home" evoke a sense of regional pride and community. However, this sense of camaraderie is contrasted with the next line, "from wherever our swollen feet are mistreated by uncompromising streets." Here, Pollard suggests that even when people feel a strong sense of connection to their community or region, they can still experience hardship and mistreatment. The phrase "uncompromising streets" suggests the unforgiving nature of the environments in which some people live.
Overall, "Pressurized" presents a nuanced view of society, acknowledging both the benefits of community and the challenges that people within those communities can face.
Line by Line Meaning
yes, the fruits and spoils
Indeed, the rewards and treasures
of our good people
That belong to our fellow members of society
at peace with equality
Who have finally found harmony and fairness amongst themselves
vast
All-encompassing and limitless
northern
Located in the northern part of our region
neighborly
Having a friendly and welcoming disposition to those around us
all the properties that call us home
The various places that we have come to call our dwelling places
from wherever our swollen feet
Regardless of where our aching feet may have wandered
are mistreated
Subjected to cruel and callous treatment
by uncompromising streets
Blocked by the unyielding streets that refuse to give us safe passage
Contributed by Aiden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.