REVIEW: Built to Spill, Live (Warner Bros.)
- Kerwin So
Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch is arguably THE guitar god of modern-day indie rock. While 1997's Perfect from Now On demonstrated Martsch's infinite musical vision and majestic melancholy, and last year's Keep It Like a Secret bore the glossy sheen of beautiful pop arrangements, there has not yet been a suitable outlet for showcasing Martsch's sheer dexterity on the fretboard. Live steps in to fill this gap perfectly, offering enough flexibility for six-string acrobatics as well as the odd cover song.
Consisting of nine tracks that clock in at 72 minutes (you do the math), Live compiles an assortment of songs from last year's performances in Denver, Seattle, and New York, all recorded by longtime producer Phil Ek (a genius in his own right). Sequenced to accurately resemble the set lists of that tour, this disc boasts an excellent mix of material from the band's last two Warner Bros. releases, plus the beloved ballad "Car" (from 1994's There's Nothing Wrong with Love) and three cover songs.
And the solos -- oh the solos! Any fan of J Mascis or Neil Young's Crazy Horse era should run out and grab this record for a chance to experience Built to Spill's 20-minute plus cover of "Cortez the Killer," which could well be the highlight of this disc. Although Jim Roth from the Delusions helps out on guitar here (as on all the tracks), the solo is all Doug, crossing oceans by way of exploratory feedback and wandering delays. The kickoff track, "The Plan," replaces the last verse of the studio version with a piercing solo reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr's glory days. And the 20 minute noisefest of the finale "Broken Chairs" represents not so much a kickass solo as a cacophonous playground, in which every member of every band on that tour wound up on stage, swapping instruments and pounding away mercilessly -- an experience better seen than heard.
Although newcomers to Built to Spill will benefit from hearing the rush that is the band's live presence, the true winners here are the older fans, who will know nearly every song here. Classics like "I Would Hurt a Fly" and "Stop the Show" hold up beautifully in the live setting, flowing smoothly with surprises like a cover of Love as Laughter's "Singing Sores Make Perfect Swords." Built to Spill's new studio album is slated for release early next year -- this CD will be more than enough to tide you over until then.
