Though I’ve changed a lot since the late 90s, Built to Spill has remained remarkably consistent. Perhaps that’s why I stopped paying as close attention after 2001′s Ancient Melodies of the Future. I listened to their mid-to-late 2000′s records, but they didn’t align as closely with my preferences at the time.
Like many, however, I tend to circle back around, which is why the band’s 2015 release, Untethered Moon, has connected like seminal albums Perfect from Now On and Keep It Like a Secret. I’m giving records like You In Reverse and There Is No Enemy deeper listens. Now in my early 40s, the raging guitars and lead singer Doug Martsch’s yelping Neil Young-esque vocals satisfy my occasional mid-life need for catharsis. I’m also more appreciative these days of songs that don’t go where you expect; Built to Spill has perfected the art of crafting tunes that swerve from anticipation.
Wednesday’s performance at the Vogue was just what I expected. The band pulled tracks from throughout it’s 20-plus-years, yet none sounded of a particular time. A classic like Carry the Zero with its nostalgic melody felt just as current as new song On the Way. Opener Kicked It In the Sun, released in 1997, maintained a feel similar to 2009′s Life’s A Dream, which started the encore.
Though Built to Spill has essentially stayed in the pocket the past 20 years, I’d be perfectly content if they remained there. I’m getting to the point in my life where I relish consistency. As with Wilco, which hit Indy a few weeks back, if the band continues making top-notch music, I’m on board for another 20 years.