''Pinball Mars'' is the third studio album from Ohio alternative rock band

Circus Devils Circus Devils is an American art rock band founded in 2001 by Robert Pollard, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio, band Guided by Voices. The band consists of Pollard (vocals and lyrics), Todd Tobias (music and produ ...

. The album, written as a mini-rock opera, was released in 2004. All songs were written and performed by

Robert Pollard Robert Ellsworth Pollard Jr. (born October 31, 1957) is an American singer and songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices. In addition to his work with Guided by Voices, he continues to have a prol ...

Todd Tobias Todd Tobias (born 1967) is an American multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Kramies, The Library Is On Fire, and musical th ...

and Tim Tobias.

Reception

''"Somewhere between the caustic noise of 2001's Ringworm Interiors and the more reined-in, sensitive concept album The Harold Pig Memorial (2002), Pinball Mars often sounds like arena rock anthems after they've been processed by two different mechanisms: one looking to make them into death-metal hymns to Satan, the other trying to discover what would happen if classic rock and free jazz had a baby"''
- David Heaton / Erasing Clouds ''"The soundtrack is one of blood-curdling fancy merry-go-round rides. One wants off, but can't because of what awaits. It's as if an illicit IV has been administered during REM sleep, drawing the listener closer to the protagonists, and further into their shady world. The theme of good and evil has always been the Circus Devils' focus, but here the concept feels different, more human"''
- Bart Bealmear / Allmusic.com

Track listing

# "Are You Out With Me" # "Gargoyle City" # "Pinball Mars" # "Sick Color" # "Don't Be Late" # "Inkster and King" # "A Puritan for Storage" # "Alien" # "Plasma" # "Dragging the Medicine" # "Bow Before Your Champion" # "Glass Boots" # "(No) Hell for Humor" # "Raw Reaction"

References

{{Authority control 2004 albums Circus Devils albums Concept albums Rock operas