Doug Martsch formed
Built to Spill in 1992, and it's hard to believe that 30 years later the band still sounds as raw and vital as ever. Their first album for
Sub Pop, 2022's
When the Wind Forgets Your Name, is filled with the kind of raggedly glorious indie rock they've been reliably producing since the very start, a loose and inviting, deeply emotional approach bolstered by
Martsch's overdriven guitars, warped melancholy melodies, and keening, heart-tuggingly honest vocals. Working with a Brazilian rhythm section of
Le Almeida and
Joao Casaes of the band
Orua,
Martsch delivers the expected
Built to Spill goods with a little extra verve and attention to sonic detail. Keyboard overdubs, darkly psychedelic layers of sound, little pockets of dub, and the occasional bit of tambourine help give a batch of hooky, thoughtful, and weirdly uplifting songs an extra boost. It may be a small alteration, but for a band whose style is so established, it's almost shocking at times.
Almeida and
Casaes prove to be one of the more flexible and adventurous backing bands
Martsch has played with; their nimbly supportive backing seems to have inspired him to take the group into new areas. A song like "Elements" is a good example of the subtle shift that's taken place. The rolling drum fills and wandering bass leave
Martsch free to add organ solos, sound effects, dub echo, and submerged vocals until he hits on an expanded version of the
Built to Spill sound that is true to its roots but exploring new ground. It's a dynamic that plays out across the entire album and informs most of the songs.
Martsch pairs this expanded musical approach with a particularly good batch of melodies and lyrics. He may not be the awkward soul reaching for love and security he was in the early days; now he's more of a seasoned traveler with some wisdom to impart, and that style is a natural fit. He can come across like a friend giving some good advice ("Fool's Gold"), a drinking buddy who's ready to delve into some philosophical truths ("Rocksteady"), or the thoughtful rocker he's always been ("Comes a Day"), and it all sounds right.
Martsch has evolved into a survivor; while others may have flashed early and burned out, he's kept plugging away, and with
When the Wind Forgets Your Name he and
Built to Spill have delivered a late-career stunner that easily equals their best work. ~ Tim Sendra
