Built to Spill

So-called alternative bands can't remain outsiders over the long haul: Either they collapse under the weight of unmet expectations, or they become as mainstream as the acts to which they were once considered alternatives. How, then, can Built to Spill continue to make enjoyable and relevant music after more than...

By Michael Roberts

May 4, 2006

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So-called alternative bands can't remain outsiders over the long haul: Either they collapse under the weight of unmet expectations, or they become as mainstream as the acts to which they were once considered alternatives. How, then, can Built to Spill continue to make enjoyable and relevant music after more than a decade as indie-rock royalty? Because deep down, group leader Doug Martsch is a scruffy traditionalist who never wanted to destroy popular music in the first place. He just wanted to make it better -- and with the group's latest album, he does.

Martsch comes in like a lion during "Goin' Against Your Mind," a rampaging slab of counterintuitive psychedelia that clocks in at over eight minutes. "Conventional Wisdom" is equally strong, thanks to the juxtaposition of delicate guitar arpeggios and screaming solos. And if "The Wait" initially seems tranquil in comparison, the players' passions are never far from the surface. When they Spill, it's a beautiful thing.

From beginning to end, Reverse heads in the right direction. Reconsider the alternative.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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