Built To Spill
Musicians are also fans, and a musician's influences can be revealing. Usually, it's a person who hit a nerve, blazed a trail or was like minded.
Neil Young was one of the first Rock musicians to win some semblance of artistic independence. Over the course of his four decade career, Young ventured into Folk, Electronic, Rock-A-Billy and Country. Along the way he also managed to pick up the Godfather of Grunge handle. But it was Young's plaintive expressiveness that struck a chord with Doug (sometimes Dug) Martsch, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the Boise based Built To Spill.
Martsch was in Treepeople for three albums before moving on, linking up with former Butterfly Train bassist Brett Nelson. Following Built To Spill's indie debut, "Ultimate Alternative Wavers" ('93), on the CZ label, drummer Andy Capps, also from Butterfly Train, joined. Scott Plouf eventually replaced him.
Built To Spill moved to the Up! label for their next two projects, "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" and a split EP with Caustic Resin (great name) which led to a major label deal with Warner Brothers.
"Perfect From Now On" ('97) and "Keep It Like A Secret" ('99) albums were welcomed by a growing fan base and resulted in the recording of a nine song live set in '00. Rather than rehash their studio material "Live" also had a handful of covers, including Young's "Cortez The Killer."
"Ancient Melodies of the Future," easily the group's most pop oriented effort, arrived in '01. Five years later, Built To Spill returned with "You In Reverse."
There are two schools of thought here. Those who like the long, quirky songs with extended guitar solos featuring blazing fret work should check out "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" ('94). If you're looking for post-Punk/Psychedelic influenced Rock with an accessible sheen "Ancient Melodies of the Future" is the way to go.
"Perfect From Now On" ('97) and "Keep It Like A Secret" ('99) amply illustrate both Built To Spill tendencies.
'06 release, "You In Reverse," keeps the Young influences at the forefront (ol' Neil should get a royalty check). It's most pronounced on "Wherever You Go." "Mess With Time" is another retro-60s track. The ballad "Gone" is both intimate and captivating as is the starry eyed ballad "The Wait."