Built To Spill - You In Reverse [2006]

Magic Spell

Artist: Built To Spill
Album: You In Reverse
Producer: Doug Martsch & Steve Lobdell
Album Length: 54m24s
Release Date: 11 April 2006
Country: United States of America


Doug Martsch (guitar, vocals)
Brett Netson (bass, guitar)
Ralf Youtz (drums)
Andy Capps (drums)
James Bertram (bass)
Dave Schneider (drums)
Peter Lansdowne (drums)
Scott Plouf (drums)
Sam Coomes (keyboard)

Formed back in 1992, Built To Spill is an American art-rockers lead by Doug Martsch and over the 13 years period of their career, they have released 6 studio album. Back in 2001 when they released Ancient Melodies of The Future, it became a big disappointment. Each track seemed blatant, and mechanical. Something wasn't right and it was confusing, for the band and the listener. Then in 2002 when Martsch released his own solo work, Now You Know, it went straight to the trash bin. And after five years of experimenting, stumbling around and contemplating, Martsch and his crew are back in perfect shape and it's perhaps one of their finest album to date, You in Reverse.

Built to Spill's earliest intention were to be a cast of musicians to serve as a reliable platform for Doug Martsch's brilliant song writing. However, in this album, it's no longer Doug Martsch's show. You in Reverse is a true collaborative effort, which each member contributing equally, creating a rather organic sound that casts off the usual meticulous guitar and studio polish in pursue of a more rugged, less refined and more spontaneous music that almost sounds like a live recording.

The album begin with the spectacular “Goin’ Against Your Mind” kicks off with the drum-propelled beats that gallops past the eight minute mark, delivered intuitively and effortlessly, welcomes the listener with a steady and driving rhythm, that kicks open the door and lay out the path for songs to follow. Second track, “Traces” is a spooky mid-tempo follow up to album opener with strong layering of brilliant guitar styling and Martsch’s warm blanket voice. “Conventional Wisdom” marks the point where You in Reverse starts to heat up. From it’s slick and dirty opening riff to it’s explosive guitar hook, “Conventional Wisdom” conveys an exuberance that graced and flourished this album. In contrast with their trademark layering of guitars, “Gone” offers a simple guitar chords that slowly builds up to a crescendo, then descends to a spooky sounding reggae beat, courtesy of Sam Coomes. The album finally peaks with Mess With Time, a fierce opening guitar that reverberate alongside Marstch’s voice that builds up the atmosphere for a mere three minutes before blasting into the shuffling ska jam session. You In Reverse end on a high notch with “The Wait” with country style accompanied by reversed guitar and outer space sounds. The last two minutes of melodic jamming is the most memorable, almost like an encore to their concert.

You In Reverse might just be one of my favourite records this year and perhaps one of the strongest non-mainstream album you’ll find this year. Five year in the making, after five years of contemplating and experimenting, You In Reverse delivers interesting and invigorating sounds that will haunt the listeners. From opening to the end, You In Reverse is skilfully produced and the sounds are flawlessly executed. Even after repeated listening, this album has not lost the surprise and the joy of first listen, and in fact this album will continue to grow on the listener. It’s almost like the difference between mass produced cookies and home-make cookies. Home made cookies always tasted better.

Beaker's Verdict: A+