"It's good to be back. I always get my ass kicked in this town," Guided By Voices singer Bob Pollard said as he greeted a full Opera House Monday. "I'm all healthy and ready to get it kicked again."

A hangdog way to start a rock show, to be sure, but Pollard was only half-kidding.

Fans will remember last fall, when Dayton, Ohio's respected elders of indie rock came through town to open for Urge Overkill. In that now-legendary Phoenix show, Pollard - who's been known to knock back a few cold ones - wound up in a losing punch-up with the club's bouncers.

It came as no surprise Monday when a Guided By Voices' roadie emerged to introduce the band and "thank the very fine security staff for a job well done" during opening sets by New York's Railroad Jerk and superb Haligonians The Super Friendz.

Way to score some brownie points - it must have done the trick.

Pollard, 38, sang, swigged, swayed and swung his microphone like a kid imitating Roger Daltrey in front of the mirror. The band had to stand clear. But nobody got hurt.

And with each beer bottle they drained, GBV seemed to grow more infectious.

Over the course of what seemed like 40 songs jammed into an hour-and-a-half set, the quintet never scrimped on their trademark melodicism.

That said, GBV were hitting heavy on songs from their new album, Under The Bushes Under The Stars, which moves away from the tinny, lo-fi sound of their countless releases from the past 10 years.

Rhythm guitarist Mitch Mitchell supplied the power chords and the rock moves, and Pollard's drummer brother Jim created the nostril-shaking rhythm section, which added a big, steady rock sound to ditties like Game Of Pricks, Man Called Aerodynamics and Burning Flag Birthday Suit.

Meanwhile, guitarist-singer Tobin Sprout held down the tunes over which Pollard was free to ramble his sweet-sounding vocals, best heard on The Chicks Are Back, My Valuable Hunting Knife, Johnny Appleseed, the set closer and drinking anthem A Salty Salute, and the appropriately named Chance To Buy An Album, from the singer's upcoming solo disc.

During four -Êcount 'em - encores, Pollard continued to call out the names of each number, which were met by roars of approval from the dedicated audience.

Personable, energetic and entertaining, GBV were a pop marvel without ever having to try too hard.

Considering the fact that he's written as many songs as he's drunk beers, the greatest marvel was that Pollard could remember all those lyrics.