There's Nothing Wrong With Love [Import]

Spin magazine placed TNWWL in the top albums of the decade, if I'm correct. The unfortunate part, though, is that Built to Spill's 1994 release should be closer to the top than it was placed.

This album is unbelievable. There is so much emotion put into every note that Doug Martsch launches from his guitar that the album requires so many listens to absorb it all. "Car", "Fling," and "Cleo" are some of the most beautiful songs ever written. "Big Dipper" is just plain guitar-pop fun. The best song, in my opinion, is the closer "Stab." It starts off simple, gets loud, changes to a mournful string-based session, and closes the album with the most haunting solo I've ever heard. This song, and especially the last few minutes of it, stir something inside of me unlike any other song that I have heard.

Even though I have close to 200 CDs, this one is in my compact disc player every day. Phil Eck did a great job with the production of this album and deserves a lot of credit. A few more notes, though. Brett Nelson's bass playing is unbelievable. Andy Capp's drumming is decent, but Nelson plays the bass like it's a part of him. The last thing I'll mention is the last, untitled track, which still gives me a laugh. This "preview" pokes a little fun at the mainstream punk scene and modern rock radio.

So if I could give this album six stars, I would.

I am compelled to write my first review here because I have such strong feelings about this CD. This is a near perfect album. I am certainly not a music reviewer, and have a hard time explaining exactly why this album remains one of my favorites after first hearing it in 94.

Some random thoughts, in no sensible order...

I'm not particularly concerned with a band's guitar and vocal chops...others have covered that plenty. For me, this whole album just feels so consistently good. Someone said this was a happy record, I dunno about that. I see more of a wistful innocence to some of the songs ("Twin Falls", for instance, just kills me in the same way White Stripes "We're Going to be Friends" does). There's a certain charm and sweetness on this album, for sure, but more than enough edge, maturity and intelligence to keep it interesting and never cloying or obvious.

And to whoever said there was 'nothing going on lyrically', HUH? The lyrics are a big part of the reason why I can listen to this album for days on end. Even in some of its straightforward simplicity, there's always a line or phrase to latch onto and ponder and smile and sigh about...huge ideas distilled to the bare essentials. Sometimes odd, sometimes vague, but never esoteric-just-for-the-sake-of-being-obscure, which was (and is) so refreshing in the hipper-than-thou, indie heyday of the early-mid 90s.

This was my first and only BTS for years (never could get into earlier BTS or Caustic Resin), and didn't buy any of their subsequent releases as they came out, for fear that nothing could match the perfection of TNWWL. Since then I've decided that 'Keep It Like A Secret' probably comes in second. If you're looking for a slightly more polished sound, I would highly recommend KILAS...otherwise, I see no reason why not start with TNWWL, I don't think it's any less accessible than their later releases, just different.

And one more thing about the 'promo' at the end...Come on...jeesh! If you listened to it and didn't end up laughing out loud, or at least smirking, by the end...then perhaps you just don't get it, which helps me understand why you didn't appreciate this album.

I have rambled, but I think it's fair to say that this album is capable of changing your entire musical outlook, depending on where you stand when you first hear it.

---Starting out being a huge Modest Mouse fan, I started hearing a small buzz for this little known influence. I sampled a few songs and settled on this as my first Built to Spill album... That was 8 months ago and I still listen to it at least once a week.

---This is the definative BTS album... Whether or not their others are better, this is the album that should come to mind when you hear someone say Built to Spill..You can sing along to every single song on this CD and it holds a very cute "Denis the Menece/Calvin and Hobs" youthful quality to it. Musically this album recalls Pavement meets a Flaming Lips jam session...But to compare bands is not completely fair, for BTS has a very unique sound that is very much all their own.. Even Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie (who are often compared) have a much different sensibility and aproach..

---Pure and simple this album has everything an indie rock geek can love about music. Its not overthought yet its not lazy.. Perfect pop album... Buy it now...