Built to Spill's 1997 Major-Label Debut: Epic Songs and Guitar Hero Status
The kind of bagel you'd toss to the pigeons.
Summary
A review of Built to Spill's 1997 major-label debut album, highlighting how Doug Martsch and his rotating band created epic, longer songs (most over six minutes) that elevated their sound from lo-fi basement recordings to classic-rock-inspired grandeur, establishing Martsch as a guitar hero in the process.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledGiven a bigger budget and a bigger stage, Built to Spill responded with bigger songs than their usual lo-fi basement-bops
Most songs clocking in at over six twist-filled minutes, and turned Martsch into a guitar hero in the process
Truly epic back when that word still meant something
Songs like 'Velvet Waltz' and 'Kicked It in the Sun' gesture at classic-rock grandeur while creating something special and enduring
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