The Sophian

Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Arts

Media Credit: courtesy ofimage.listen Members of the highly-acclaimed Built to Spill pose for a publicity still.

Just like a fine wine, the veteran but not quite classic alternative rock band Built to Spill just gets better with age. Formed in 1992 by Doug Martsch, the group, like many bands, has gone through many phases in its search for its identity. Thirteen years, including a year-long hiatuses, five albums, and a few rotations later, Built to Spill has emerged with what Doug Martsch calls its most "collaborative record in the band's…history."

In an attempt to be eloquent and distinctive, the aforementioned music "connoisseur" described Built to Spill's latest album, "You in Reverse," as "chaotic, yet elegant." This statement really makes no sense at all, but it is a nice gesture at trying to describe that certain "je ne sais quoi" about Built to Spill's sound. Indeed, there is something beautifully contradictory about Built to Spills sound. It's dreamy but not sappy. It's powerful but not intimidating. It's complex but it's not aneurism inducing. It is calm, cool and collected, but it's not Yanni. The lyrics are meaningful, political and spiritual but Built to Spill is not the type of band that has an axe to grind. Basically, you are Goldilocks and "You in Reverse" is Baby Bear's porridge. It is not too hot and it is not too cold. It is just right. And what's even better, chances are that you won't get convicted for breaking-and-entering and/or mauled for listening to "You in Reverse."

Indeed there is a chaotic element to Built to Spill. Indeed there is an elegant element to them too. However, describing it as "chaotic, yet elegant" does not do it justice. Instead, it would be much more accurate to say that You in Reverse is a non-threateningly eclectic fusion of "spontaneous moments with composed transitions and intricate melodies." It would be much more accurate to say that "their songs are haunting rather than catchy."

It really shows that each member approaches the music as a form of art. For these guys, it is about self-expression. According to Rick Gershon of Warner Brothers Records Publicity, "the group…capture[s] loose and live moments, letting each individual musician's talents be more accurately represented." The band really collaborates with each other as individual artists, each with his own style to blend into an evenly seasoned, well-developed album. As Gershon points out, "none dominate the overall force of the album."

Basically, "You in Reverse" is a really good album and there are only so many ways to say it.

Built to Spill had to postpone their national tour until further notice because the group's lead singer and guitarist Doug Martsch is suffering from a detached retina and needs to rest, or something lame like that. Detached retina my ass. That selfish bastard.

So, until then, we all shall have to settle for streaming on their website www.builttospill.com and stalking them on MySpace, or actually going out and buying the CD-which in this case, actually wouldn't be such a bad thing.

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