Built to Spill is back and they are kicking butt. Sometime between Ancient Melodies of the Future and their latest album You In Reverse, they decided to take their trademark dreamy rock landscapes and amp them up, creating a more aggressive, moodier and overall more powerful album.
The difference is clear from the very first track, "Goin' Against Your Mind," which kicks in with a fast-paced drumbeat that sounds more like the opening to a post-punk song.
As soon as the guitars buzz in, though, it is evident that this is Built to Spill at their best. For the most part, vocalist/guitarist Doug Martsch uses his guitar riffs to create the bulk of his melody, as he does on many other tracks. This isn't to any disadvantage though, since his solos and sonic explorations are each impressive and, simply put, kick ass.
On an album like this it is hard to find the stand-out tracks, since so many are well-crafted and genius in their own way. In searching for some of Built to Spill's catchy vocals, as adored in past songs like "Car" and "The Weather," certain tracks stand out. Track three, "Liar," has one of the more infectious vocal choruses, as does the following track, "Saturday," but they are also a bit slower paced, or at least more pensive.
A good mix of vocal melody and speed is "Conventional Wisdom," which combines the swinging buzz of Built to Spill's guitar lines with Martsch's appealing vocals, all at a high-energy pace.
Impressively, Built to Spill has been able to expand the range of their traditional sound without introducing elements or instruments that would detract from their previous sound. You In Reverse is definitely one of their best albums in a while: classic Built to Spill for fans to explore and blow their minds to.
