Built to Spill – Keep It Like a Secret 2LP

Description

Perhaps realizing that their time on a major label was likely limited,Built to Spillmade a gutsy choice forKeep It Like a Secret, their second album for Warner Brothers. They embraced the sounds of a big studio and focused their sound without sacrificing their fractured indie rock aesthetic. In a sense, this isBuilt to Spill‘s pop album: every song is direct and clean, without the long, cerebral jamming that characterized their earlier albums. That’s not to say that the album is compromised — the songwriting may be streamlined, butDoug Martschnow packs all of his twists, turns, and detours into dense, three-minute blasts. This approach, combined with the shiny sonic textures, makesKeep It Like a Secretthe most immediate and, yes, accessibleBuilt to Spillrecord, but they steadfastly open their music up and breathe the way, say,Pavementdid onCrooked Rain, Crooked RainorBrighten the Corners.Built to Spillstill demand that listener meet them on their own terms — these just happen to be the easiest terms to understand in their catalog. -All Music Guide