You In Reverse

Built to SpillYou In Reverse

Opening with the nearly nine-minute guitar epic “Goin’ Against Your Mind,” Built to Spill at once reclaim the indie rock throne they let slip away upon the release of 2001’s subpar Ancient Melodies of the Future. In the five years since, we’ve seen a handful of small tours, a solo album by leadman Doug Martsch, a new full-time member in longtime touring guitarist Jim Roth and a whole lot of talk about their just released sixth studio album, You In Reverse.

In July of 2001 Melodies was released to more unfavorable reviews than the band’s previous four studio albums had accrued collectively. Martsch’s release of a solo disc in 2002 only managed to push the band’s work further to the back of the collective musical mind. Four years later Built to Spill return with 10 road-tested, long labored rock songs that present the band in the best form of their career.

Roth’s presence on guitar has allowed Martsch to cut back on the guitar layering, multi-tracking and all around over-production that have always made the band less credible (due to it’s one-man-army nature). You in Reverse represents the band’s first outing as a fully collaborative unit, ultimately employing early 70s minimalist production to great effect. Reverse houses the most impressive guitar work of Martsch’s 18-year career, further establishing his reputation as indie rock’s ceaseless guitar god. Even the six minute single, “Conventional Wisdom,” which starts out as a catchy pop tune, finds its way into a full-on guitar exhibition sometime before the three-minute mark.

Taking nods from different elements of their past work, Reverse would best be described as a crossbreed of the band’s best two albums, Perfect From Now On and Keep it Like a Secret, although, believe it or not, better. The band’s sound is not only more effective when presented in an organic fashion, but the songs are better arranged and much more consistent throughout than their past offerings. There’s an obvious argument that their newfound maturity and compositional expertise mark a new era for the band; and while that may be true, everything you’ve ever loved about Built to Spill is still well represented on Reverse. “Liar” has the pop appeal of There’s Nothing Wrong with Love, “Saturday” is prototypical BTS-fare, “Gone” carries the progressive spirit of Perfect From Now On and “Conventional Wisdom,” (pre-guitar extravaganza) could’ve easily been included on Ancient Melodies. The only drastic updates to the outfit’s sound arrive on “Goin’ Against Your Mind” and “Wherever You Go,” two expansive, classic rock-styled songs that will only further Martsch’s standing as the musical kin of Neil Young.

Sure, call it a comeback, if that’s what you need to do. After all, it has been five years. The fact is, despite any criticism Ancient Melodies may have carried over, Built to Spill never lost it, and here’s the proof: half a decade out of the spotlight and they deliver what is destined to stand as their best work yet. You in Reverse is a no brainer pick for the first album of the year-worthy release of 2006.    9/10

Written by G. William Locke