Built To Spill PERFECT FROM NOW ON

Built To Spill: Doug Martsch (vocals, guitar, Moog, bass); Brett Netson (guitar); John McMahon (cello); Scott Plouf (piano, Moog, drums, percussion); Robert Roth (Mellotron); Brett Nelson (bass, Moog, Optigon); Peter Lansdowne (drums).
Recorded at Avast! Recording Co., Seattle, Washington.
Whereas on 1995's BUILT TO SPILL CAUSTIC RESIN EP, Built to Spill main-man Doug Martsch used a couple of silly premises and a Kicking Giant cover to get to the guitar flamethrowas, on PERFECT FROM NOW ON, Martsch and fellow axe-grinder Brett Netson duel on tunes that could've been some of the loveliest, most inventive, three-minute guitar-pop of the '90s. Could've been, that is, without those fantastic duels. Instead, PERFECT FROM NOW ON, the band's major-label debut, strikes a balance between tunesmanship and molten-lava guitar flow.
Martsch, who has surrounded himself with a revolving cast of players for most of Built To Spill's existence, has an unassuming voice, and the lyrics on PERFECT FROM NOW ON hint at insecurities and doubts. There is no such insecurity in the music. Martsch's melodies arrive as unexpectedly as darkened fireflies, flaming brighter as they move forward. His guitar--think Hendrix/Sonic Youth eruptions not typical blues-metal ego tripping--carries these melodies on the lips of a symphonic squall that also incorporates assorted cellos and analog synths. The melodies and guitars and squalls are everywhere; you just never know where they're coming from.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Pop