For the last few years, Robert Pollard -- singer, songwriter, chief cook and bottle-chugger of Dayton, Ohio indie-rock gods Guided by Voices -- hasn't been shy about voicing his desire for big-league rock stardom.

His first try, 1999's Do the Collapse, fell short, perhaps because the super-commercial tracks and gleaming pop production were too great a leap from his gritty, lo-fi past.

This time, however, Bob's got the mix just right. Isolation Drills is GBV's most polished album yet, thanks to a consistently strong slate of crunching rockers (Skills Like This), sunshiney poppers (Glad Girls) and even the odd dab of glam (the Bowieish Pivotal Film).

At the same time, though, it harkens back to their garage-rock glory days by including Bob's trademark home recordings (Frostman) and condensed mini-tunes (the string-blessed Sister I Need Wine, the punky Want One?). And naturally, everything has the British Invasion vibe and stream-of-consciousness lyrics ("Pivotal film / Showing cloaks of rubber ... Fingers stroking / Like mechanical lovers") fans know and love.

We wouldn't be surprised if the world comes to know and love them soon.

Get ready for your closeup, Mr. Pollard. (More on Guided By Voices)

Track Listing 1. Fair Touching
2. Skills Like This - (featuring Elliott Smith)
3. Chasing Heather Crazy
4. Frostman
5. Twilight Campfighter
6. Sister I Need Wine
7. Want One?
8. The Enemy
9. Unspirited
10. Glad Girls
11. Run Wild
12. Pivotal Film
13. How's My Drinking?
14. The Brides Have Hit Glass
15. Fine To See You
16. Privately