Name: Sandbox
Brand: Guided By Voices

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SCAT84X

Colour

Blue

Colour details

Glacial Blue

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-02-17

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Forte

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

753417084018

Total Cap

Blue LP

SCAT84

Black

Extended format: No

753417008410

Black LP

Artist

Guided By Voices

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Scat Records

Guided By Voices is an American alternative rock band that was formed in 1983 in Dayton, Ohio. The band's principal member, Robert Pollard, has been the driving force behind their unique sound and prolific output. With a career spanning several decades, Guided By Voices has become known for their catchy melodies, lo-fi production style, and Pollard's distinctive songwriting. Their music has influenced countless indie rock bands and continues to resonate with fans around the world.
Since their formation, Guided By Voices has released numerous albums and EPs, showcasing their versatility and ability to experiment with different musical styles. Their discography includes beloved albums such as "Bee Thousand" and "Alien Lanes," which are considered classics of the indie rock genre.
With their energetic live performances and dedicated fanbase, Guided By Voices has established themselves as one of the most influential bands in alternative rock history. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their music, exploring Guided By Voices' extensive catalog is sure to be a rewarding experience.

Scat Records is an independent record label that was founded in January 1989 by Robert Griffin, a member of the band Prisonshake. Originally based in Cleveland, Ohio, the label later moved to St. Louis, Missouri before returning to its roots in Cleveland as of November 2022. With a rich history spanning over three decades, Scat Records has become known for its diverse roster of talented artists and their unique musical offerings.

Throughout its existence, Scat Records has been committed to supporting independent musicians and providing them with a platform to showcase their creativity. The label's catalog boasts an impressive collection of releases across various genres including rock, alternative, indie, and more. From breakthrough acts to established names in the industry, *Scat Records* has consistently championed artists who push boundaries and defy conventions.

With each release carefully curated and meticulously produced, Scat Records has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality music that resonates with listeners. The label's dedication to artistic integrity and innovation sets it apart from mainstream record labels. Whether you're a music enthusiast seeking fresh sounds or an avid collector looking for hidden gems, *Scat Records* offers a treasure trove of captivating albums waiting to be discovered.

Even back in 1987, Guided By Voices was not content to release just one album in a year - Sandbox was released in the summer of that year following Devil Between My Toes’ appearance that February. Likewise, in similar GBV style, the sound and approach of the two albums could not be more different. Where Devil mostly mines a darker, lo-fi psychedia, along with several instrumental explorations, Sandbox is sunny, direct, has a bigger, crunchier sound, and zero instrumentals. Where Devil has a murky and impressionistic black and white photo of a rooster for a cover, Sandbox sports a full colour photo of the band relaxing on a lawn on a sunny day. Let’s also recall that unlike today, in 1987 a full-color album jacket wasn’t just a little more expensive than a black and white one, it was way more expensive. Right up front, the band was communicating that this was a more commercially ambitious endeavor, while behind the scenes they rented better gear for a bigger sound, and tackled more sophisticated arrangements and honed in on the hooks and harmonies of the songs. Of all the band’s early self-released albums, Sandbox differs the most from the sound fans would later associate with the group, which is in itself a recommendation. Nowhere else will you hear the perfectly rendered three-part harmonies of “Long Distance Man,” direct Beatles quotes, or Robert Pollard reveling in his southern Ohio drawl. It’s also true that one of the more enjoyable aspects of the record is finding all the places where the band’s future is indeed foreshadowed. Simply put, Guided By Voices just can’t help but be a little weird, even when attempting something like a power pop album. At the close of the opening track, Pollard announces, “Ladies and gentlemen! Back by popular demand for your entertainment and spiritual enlightenment...Electric Jam Soul Aquarium!” a truly “wtf is happening here” moment. Or the stripped down gloom of “Trap Soul Door” - a track that could be right at home on nearly any later GBV album wherein Pollard intones, “Just one spark can start a hell of a fire.” Little did he know how true that statement would become.

Sandbox

Music GB