Built To Spill

See also: , Doug Martsch

Idaho's favorite rock act Built to Spill started garnering attention to its Pavement-derived alternative rock in the early '90s. Fronted by singer/songwriter Doug Martsch, the band specializes is both fantastic guitar jams and clever melodies. The band hit its zenith with the nearly flawless Perfect From Now On, although some prefer the more poppy There's Nothing Wrong with Love.

Album reviews

You In Reverse
Warner Bros. (2006)
Join with Ben on an adventure into Middle Earth and the indie-rock scene of the Pacific Northwest.

Ancient Melodies Of The Future
Warner Bros. (2001)
All the basic elements of the last three BTS albums are present on Ancient Melodies, but the band's muse seems to have vanished.

Live
Warner Bros. (2000)
Where's the justification for a live album by a band like Built To Spill?

Keep It Like A Secret
Warner Bros. (1999)
Following 1994's near perfect pop album There's Nothing Wrong With Love and the epic stomps of 1997's Perfect From Now On, Built To Spill attempts to take its swirling wall of sound to the masses on Keep It Like A Secret.

Perfect From Now On (Recommended)
Warner Bros. (1997)
The multi-dimensional songwriter reaches his zenith (oddly enough) on his major label debut Perfect From Now On, an album that perfectly sums up the band's place in modern rock with trance-inducing consistency and high-energy tripping.

The Normal Years
K (1996)
This collection strings together Built To Spill's loose ends -- outtakes from each of the band's first two albums alongside three independently-released singles and two tracks recorded for compilations.

Built To Spill/Caustic Resin
Up (1995)
If Built To Spill's two following efforts, Perfect From Now On and Keep It Like A Secret are fully loaded plates of nourishing rock and roll, this split EP is an unhealthy appetizer.

There's Nothing Wrong With Love
Up (1994)
Doug Martsch's second album with Built To Spill is a model of '90s guitar pop, full of cute little rock guitar epics, and graced with the innocence that comes with not knowing you have an audience yet.

Ultimate Alternative Wavers
C/Z (1993)
Those of you lucky enough to own any of Built to Spill's three most recent recordings should not rush into buying Ultimate Alternative Wavers, the group's so-so full-length debut.

Interviews

Martsch Madness
June 6, 2001
Built To Spill papa Doug Martsch talks to NATN about his songwriting process and recent solo work.

Concert reviews

September 20, 2001
Irving Plaza, New York
This was my first concert since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and that's an important distinction.