Built To Spill
Keep It Like a Secret

Let's start by saying that this is a great album. And the thing that surprised me the most about this nice site is not finding any information about a band that, in America, is considered, along with Modest Mouse, one of the most valid exponents of Indie rock. But let's avoid unnecessary labels; behind Built to Spill lies the genius of Doug Martsch, a frontman with a keen sense for melody who has a great gift: making songs that hide intricate guitar passages and continuous tempo changes seem simple. The splendid "You Were Right" and "Broken Chairs" (extended at the end) alone are worth the purchase. Martsch's voice, together with his unique way of playing the guitar, is the main feature that characterizes Built To Spill; at times syrupy and deceptively annoying, it hides a depth all its own.
This is an album from 1999, not the band's first, but in my opinion, it is the best for a first approach to the band. Highly recommended after being captivated by Doug's melody are Perfect from Now On (1997) and Ancient Melodies of The Future (2001).
There is a melancholy in the notes of BTS that often proves visceral, getting inside you and leaving a sensation of ethereal calm.
For those who love Modest Mouse, this is an album that cannot be missing from your discography. But not only that, those who love rock in its most varied forms will find here a true rock album that sounds like no other, and today this is a quality that few artists have.
The title of the album says it all: "keep it like a secret," keep it secret, yes because this is a little gem that when discovered, one wouldn't want to share with anyone, but tonight I feel generous...