Built to Spill Albums Ranked From Worst to Best

[@spicoli4217]

This is the most unexpected ranking of albums I have ever seen. I thought that some others were against the grain, but this one takes the cake. Thats what makes these videos so entertaining. If everyone said "Keep it like a Secret" or "Perfect from now On" were the best, there would be no point to make these lists. Totally enjoyed this one

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I wish everyone was as enthusiastic about us going against the grain as you. -Jason

[@TheDrectorsCut]

Ty for covering this solid indie band. Have always been a fan of Doug Martsch's guitar work. The line " l think Lodger rules I think my stepdad's a fool " always makes me smile.

[@garrettredd2541]

I've purchased about 7 records since i have started watching this channel, i'd say that means this channel is doing great work to expand musical experiences for listeners and fans - thank you, its very rare to come across this much appreciation, respect, and attention to detail when going through the discographies of artists/bands. Also the three personalities *(in this case 2) but the variety of tastes and opinions that are represented as you all dissect the records is spot on and a fantastic approach to this

[@threestringsomg]

I've purchased at least 100!....doing discographies has been costly! In a good way....👍👍🤠

[@garrettredd2541]

@@threestringsomg Yea what this channel is doing for me (and my pocket book haha) is rediscovering the deeper lost albums from bands i love

[@threestringsomg]

@@garrettredd2541 yeah I reckon a good proportion of what I'm buying are great finds from doing discographies, a couple already from doing hot 100 singles (I just bought Miles Davis and Nina Simone wider collections for example), a few are from What's In my Bag, and some are from connected searches....artists who have links to artists covering on channel...also some are popular choices from commenters in conversations....it's def helping me to broaden certain areas of my tastes that had been tapped only a little...though my core leanings are still rich in what I choose to explore too....I think the isolation during pandemic has maybe helped to triple my usual musical exploration....and now I can't drop the habit so easy!!👍🤠

[@Vanessa.P]

Built To Spill is a band I've always known of and known I should listen to but I never got around to it. I listened to the first four albums this week. I was trying to hear them all at least once but summer has made listening difficult especially with my kids out of school. I really enjoyed everything I've heard though, I have definitely been missing out. I will say I liked Ultimate Alternative Wavers the least of what I heard but it was still good. What struck me was how much I could hear its influence on later bands, like Jason mentioned. I look forward to hearing more of their albums because it sounds like there is still a lot to look forward to. I appreciate when you guys cover a variety of bands because it encourages me to branch out. Sounds like some entertaining discographies coming up. I'm especially excited for Elliott Smith, I love him a lot!

[@LucaVincent]

1 perfect from now on 2 theres notging wrong with love 3 keep it like a secret 4 ultimate alternative wavers 5 ancient melodies of the future 6 there is no enemy 7 thr rest

[@afermata949]

Great band. Perfect From Now On is an exceptional record. Gonna go listen now...

[@peterkau]

Keep It Like A Secret #1. Did anyone else see the interview where Doug said there was a new album coming out this fall?

[@danibustamante91]

It was a bit difficult to get fully into Perfect from now on, but once you manage to do it... Wow man, I find it near impossible to rank it lower than top 3. Anyway, thanks for covering such an underrated band.

[@JC-lu4se]

1. Perfect from Now On 2. Keep it Like a Secret 3. Ancient Melodies of the Future 4. There's Nothing Wrong With Love 5. You in Reverse 6. Untethered Moon 7. Ultimate Alternative Wavers 8. Songs of Daniel Johnson 9. There Is No Enemy

[@FellDestroyedMusic]

What a great band to rank their albums. They have always been a band that I can't quite choose a favorite album. I love all of the albums, love the songs, but it's difficult to pin down one album that rises above all of the others.

[@SomeSong2]

1. Perfect From Now On 2. Keep It Like a Secret 3. Ancient Melodies of the Future 4. There Is Nothing Wrong With Love 5. There Is No Enemy 6. You In Reverse 7. Untethered Moon Haven't heard the first or last.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

1. Ancient Melodies Of The Future (2001) 4.5/5 2. Perfect From Now On (1997) 4/5 3. Keep It Like A Secret (1999) 4/5 4. There Is No Enemy (2009) 3.5/5 5. You In Reverse (2006) 3/5 6. Untethered Moon (2015) 3/5 7. There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) 2.5/5 8. Plays The Songs Of Daniel Johnston (2020) 2.5/5 9. Ultimate Alternative Waivers (1993) 2.5/5 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: 2.5 Ultimate Alternative Waivers (1993) 2.5 There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) 4.0 Perfect From Now On (1997) 4.0 Keep It Like A Secret (1999) 4.5 Ancient Melodies Of The Future (2001) 3.0 You In Reverse (2006) 3.5 There Is No Enemy (2009) 3.0 Untethered Moon (2015) 2.5 Plays The Songs Of Daniel Johnston (2020) I'm not very fond of Doug Martsch's voice, and their first few albums are a little spotty, but by the late-'90s I think these guys were making some great music. 'Keep It Like a Secret' and 'Ancient Melodies Of The Future' made my top 10 in their respective years (1999/2001.) 'Perfect From Now On' placed 13th in a strong year (1997.) Looking back on the AOTY series, I may have underrated 'Ancient Melodies.' That album really jumped out at me this time around. MY RATING SYSTEM: 5.0 = major classic 4.5 = minor classic 4.0 = great 3.5 = very good 3.0 = good 2.5 = fair 2.0 = poor 1.5 = awful 1.0 = historically awful I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore. Anything I rate 3.5 stars and above is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.

[@179rich]

So funny, we are continuing our tradition of opposites. Your number 1 is almost at the bottom of my list lol.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Oh boy... Well, I'll preface this by saying I'm a huge Built to Spill fan. I also think that just being 6-8 years older than you guys might play a factor. Also, I've gathered by now that all three of you really prefer sleeker studio production, so that definitely plays into your critiques a bit here. I never say this, but here is the PROPER Built to Spill ranking... Hahaha 9. Daniel Johnston Covers Record (only because I just don't really value covers records that much) 8. Ultimate Alternative Wavers (just haven't found their identity - Doug especially as a songwriter) 7. Ancient Melodies of the Future (I liked this album a lot more when it initially came out, but it's lost a lot of steam for me over the years. The best parts are really the pop songs.) 6. You In Reverse (Their most "jammy" sounding album. Their most classic rock sounding album. I like it more now than when it initially came out. Kind of makes sense that Jason loves it so much. It's their cleanest sounding album.) 5. Untethered Moon (Really underrated album. The lyrics are on point. Really clever.) 4. There Is No Enemy (Such a great album. It does kind of help when you hear this material live.) 3. There's Nothing Wrong With Love (This is where I started with them, though years after it came out. The songs/lyrics are some of the best in the discography. And Jason is very on point with its influence. Isaac Brock once said Modest Mouse wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Built To Spill. I think a lot of other bands were really digging this record when it came out. Ben Folds Five even covered Twin Falls.) 2. Perfect From Now On (It's brilliant. And I totally understand the "samey" critique, but it comes into focus more after repeated listens. Granted, being such a fan of their sound made me stick with it more to reach that eventual payoff. Eventually I quit hearing that same-ness and instead heard a very consistent sound that holds it all together - almost like a tone poem.) 1. Keep It Like a Secret (An absolutely perfect record. This is the album that blends everything together. The looseness of the greatest indie rock, the catchy pop songwriting, the heavy extended jams, and most importantly the powerful crescendo that runs throughout these songs.) It's definitely Doug Martsch's project. Bret Nelson has played an integral part over the years at times. Also, Doug's wife, Karena Youtz shares a number of songwriting credits throughout their discography. She's a poet, and Doug has expressed at times that lyrics are his least favorite part of the process (or maybe most intimidating). So, maybe she is even more influential in that arena than the actual credits she is given. But, yeah, what he's doing now is fascinating. He takes different bands on tour to back him up now. He plans on changing the lineup constantly. I think he even mentioned it was his original intention to do that when he started. I could very well be misremembering that, though. Also check out his solo album. Highly underrated. Some great blues on that album. So, there's your annoying long-winded comment from a BTS fan. :)

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Can’t argue with you too much, except saying that You In Reverse is their cleanest sounding album. To me, it has the most live sound of any of their albums. I might even argue that it’s their scrappiest sounding album. -Jason

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@TastesLikeMusic It definitely sounds live. Maybe I’m focusing on the guitar tones, and how all the instruments breathe a little more.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@TastesLikeMusic You guys did great with this as always. Didn’t mean to gloss over that. 👍🏻

[@davidellis5141]

@@TheDigitalGramophone Be careful with the BTS reference - 🇰🇷 !

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

@@davidellis5141 😂🤣 Good point.

[@curly_wyn]

1. Keep it Like a Secret 2. Perfect From Now On 3. There is No Enemy 4. There’s Nothing Wrong with Love 5. When the Wind Forgets Your Name 6. Ancient Melodies of the Future 7. You in Reverse 8. Ultimate Alternative Waves 9. Untethered Moon Good band, and their top albums are great. Keep it Like a Secret and their best song Carry the Zero are just so awesome and that infusion of power pop with that album truly made them stand out among their 90s indie rock peers!

[@nickmoss2046]

IMO There Is Nothing Wrong With Love kicks off one of the best three album runs ever. Both of your #7s hurt lol. Looking forward to some TVOTR action! Guess Joe will be off that week too lol

[@andrewdyke5561]

I agree

[@davidellis5141]

Perfect From Now On Was Close To Perfect. Took Three Times To Record & Third Time Was Obviously The Charm. Fans Of Flaming Lips & Mercury Rev Take Note.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

Hey David. I left an essay above. Haha

[@BlakeBlackstone]

1. Nothing Wrong With Love 2. Perfect From Now On 3. You In Reverse 4. Keep It Like a Secret 5. Ancient Melodies 6. There is No Enemy 7. Untethered Moon 8. Ultimate Alternative 9. When the Wind Forgets your name

[@garrettredd2541]

My absolute favorite channel

[@edgustafson]

I'll say: 1. Keep it Like a Secret 2. You in Reverse. I suspect I like this more than most people, but I think it's a great album. 3. Perfect from Now On 4. There's Nothing Wrong With Love 5. There is No Enemy 6. Ancient Melodies of the Future 7. Songs of Daniel Johnson 8. Untethered Moon 9. Ultimate Alternative Wavers

[@jmorgan3977]

Been a fan for a couple of years now, but I was only familiar with about half of their discography until now. 1. Keep it Like a Secret 2. When the Wind 3. Ancient Melodies 4. You in Reverse 5. Perfect From Now On 6. There's Nothing Wrong with Love 7. There is No Enemy 8. Ultimate Alternative Wavers 9. Untethered Moon

[@roxannewalsh]

There was something on their debut album when it came out that kept me interested enough to check out their next releases. The third album seemed to reward the patience but then they switched on auto pilot and may follow their trajectory for years to come and until they fade away. 9. Songs of Daniel Johnston 1,0 (Maybe I am the only person here who needed to google for Johnston - now I am richer by one more piece of useless knowledge. I better put on a Jonathan Richman record instead.) 8. Ancient Melodies of the Future 2,0 (He changed his voice to sound like a Neil Young imitator? Then he picks ancient melodies that sound like lame Neil Young leftovers.) 7. There's Nothing Wrong With Love 2,5 (Less meandering than the debut, so one would expect that they get to the point this time. Still, it remains unclear what the point really is. Most songs sound very much the same and are boring.) 6. There is No Enemy 2,5 (To escape the ennui you need to move faster than they do. Like Good Ol' Boredom, the one not boring track here.) 5. Ultimate Alternative Wavers 3,0 (The debut is a promise of a band that might become interesting, a mix of Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, but even the shortest songs are way too long.) 4. Untethered Moon 3,0 (Where did I hear this before? On their previous record that sounded like the one before it. They are louder than Pat Metheny. The full title of the opener is All Our Songs Sound the Same.) 3. You in Reverse 3,0 (It kicks off with their greatest opening number so far - 9 minutes of great guitar rock. The second title returns to Martsch doing his Neil Young routine, still works on Traces but the rest of the album is tired routine that drags on in mid tempo.) 2. Keep it Like a Secret 3,5 (A strange album title because obviously they wanted to be a secret no longer but appeal to a larger audience. While the change and its reason is obvious, it works well most of the time. Some songs here are the best they released, however just as many are redundant - they fill one third of the album and do nothing.) 1. Perfect From Now on 4,0 (Tunes are still long, just this time they are worth it, even if there is as little variation as with Neil Young & Crazy Horse - at least each one has its little hook and melody to let you enjoy it.)

[@179rich]

I think the wide diversity of opinion about these Built to Spill albums is a good indication that they're actually really good.

[@johntriplett3188]

1. Theres Nothing Wrong With Love 10 2. Keep It Like a Secret 10 3. Perfect from Now On 10 4. Ultimate Alternative Wavers 9 5. Untethered Moon 9 6. Ancient Melodies 9 7. There Is No Enemy 8 8. You In Reverse 8

[@andrewdyke5561]

Keep it like a secret is a masterpiece to me perfect album

[@djclass005]

Perfect from now on is a grower, gets better every time you listen to it, you went through every album in short time. That might be the reason you listed it so low. It’s so rewarding listening time and time again!

[@shane.b.]

wow, I’ve already really grown to love this band since my last comment. after diving into their work in the past week I’d say: 1. Nothing Wrong w/ Love (5.0) 2. Keep it Like a Secret (4.5) 3. Ultimate Alternative Wavers (4.0) 4. Ancient Melodies (4.0) 5. There is No Enemy (4.0) 6. Perfect from Now On (4.0) 7. You in Reverse (4.0) 8. Untethered Moon (3.5) 9. Songs of Dan Johnston (3.5) I even enjoy the Daniel covers quite a bit but I was already a fan since high school so I probably have that bias of already enjoying the songs. & on the other end Nothing Wrong w/ Love floors me every time I hear it. Jason was right about that group of songs kicking ass at the beginning. All of the albums from 3 to 8 I could see shifting a little the more I get into them but this is just based off 1 week of heavy listening. they’re playing in Carrboro NC next year so I really want to check that out

[@shane.b.]

UAW reminds me a lot of Nirvana’s Bleach in that it’s maybe not a fully bloomed project yet but the rawness and looseness is just so fun to me. Three Years Ago Today kicks ass, been playing it on the geetar a lot

[@shane.b.]

& last note: their version of Cortez the Killer from the live record is SO DAMN GOOD

[@teppeiando]

Ancient Melodies and There Is No Enemy higher than You In Reverse and Untethered Moon?? Aye caramba

[@frangarcia7774]

Enjoyed the video. I only listened to a few records and some songs from the other albums and with summer holidays I couldn't catch up, but I would like to participate nonetheless, so this is my list of the stuff I know : 1. Keep It Like A Secret 8.5 2. You In Reverse (Liar and then this album were my introduction to the band) 8.25 3. Perfect From Now On 8 4. Ancient Melodies Of The Future 7

[@kkww7707]

Built To Spill....awesome choice fellas.

[@chapmancarruthers]

How can you say you’re a Built to Spill fan and neither of you have Keep it Like a Secret at number one?

[@chapmancarruthers]

😉

[@VoiceofHarold1]

It was interesting to hear your two different perspectives of the band and the qualities you value most about Built to Spill. I'm more with Jason. It's about the songwriting and melodic qualities first and the guitar virtuosity, second. Built to Spill was a huge part of my 90's soundtrack. I listened to them a lot from about '94 or '95- the early 2000's. I also interviewed Doug Martsch once over the phone for my college newspaper not long after Keep it Like a Secret was released. He's a really down to Earth nice guy, but a lousy interview because he doesn't like to talk about himself or analyze his music much, as I recall. In the mid 2000's I kind of stopped following them, although I did have a friend who gave a me a burned copy of There is No Enemy and I liked a lot of it. Of the ones I know well, here's how I rank them: 1. Perfect From Now On (I get what you're saying about the sameness, but I think that why this album works so well. Each song kind of flows into the next and this is an album you listen to all the way through. It's almost like their prog rock album, in a way) 2. Keep it Like a Secret 3. There's Nothing Wrong With Love 4. You in Reverse 5. There is No Enemy 6. Ancient Melodies of the Future (I've tried with this one several times, and other than Strange and Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss, there's not much that really stands out song-wise for me). Ultimate Alternative Wavers- I heard it a few times in the mid-90's, but I think I thought it was a little too weird and inaccessible There wasn't much I connected with. I haven't heard anything after There is No Enemy

[@scottmcrae3355]

Perfect From Now on and Keep it Like a Secret are easily the top two with There’s Nothing Wrong With Love slightly behind. The rest are a toss up for me. Perfect really is perfect. It’s Dark Side of the Moon for the indie set.

[@josejones]

Good to see some good ol’ indie rock coverage. I don’t know a lot of BTS, but will dig into them a bit more based on your comments. What I DO know is that Temporarily Blind is one of my top 25 indie rock songs ever.

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

Both of you ranked two albums id consider classics at 7 and i love it

[@gino88]

Damn you let Joe off the hook from listening to a great band?

[@slaydesaid8741]

What a great surprise! Really love BTS but I don't see them being mentioned a lot anywhere ( although I have noticed Kramzer mention them a few times). I REALLY don't get why Kramzer doesn't like There Is No Enemy. The songs Nowhere Lullaby, Life's A Dream and Things Fall Apart are top-shelf BTS songs. Forget about the band just being a guitar fuzz-heavy rock band and just enjoy the mood of these excellent songs. They really are something special, particularly the two last mentioned. Anyway, this is my ranking: 9 Plays The Songs Of Daniel Johnston 8 Ultimate Alternative Wavers 7 There's Nothing Wrong With Love 6 Keep It Like A Secret 5 Untethered Moon 4 Perfect From Now On 3 You In Reverse 2 There Is No Enemy 1 Ancient Melodies Of The Future Ancient... was the first album I ever heard by BTS, so there may be some bias included there. [The ranking has been edited. No idea what had happened but it was totally wrong]

[@ryankramzer1256]

I have it at three stars. I like it.

[@slaydesaid8741]

@@ryankramzer1256 You did indeed, so fair enough. I meant "love it" rather than "like it". I rate it at 4.5 and definitely a Top 3 album by them for me.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

I wish I liked what I’ve heard from Built To Spill more, since I can definitely see the influence on 2000’s indie rock bands and similarities to Modest Mouse, who I like a lot (maybe it’s the over the top ridiculous vocal accent and lyrics of Isaac Brock that makes MM work for me more overall). I’ve only heard the 1994-99 trio though, and do have You In Reverse lined up for my listening rotation soon. Perfect From Now On is fine, but I think both of you guys said it best that the samey midtempo feel really holds it back from being great, though who knows, something in it could click for me one day, since it is apparently considered some sort of classic.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I couldn't bring myself to rate 'Perfect' as even a 4.5 star "minor classic." Nothing on it is that timeless, imo. I did (barely) give it 4 stars because I think a bare majority of the album is worth returning to, and that majority constitutes one of the best things BtS ever did.

[@pechondelgado]

Cool channel. Love albun rankings.

[@shane.b.]

would love to see a video on Modest Mouse someday, LCW is a huge album for me. gonna dive into Built to Spill now cause of this video and the connections with MM

[@shane.b.]

Red House Painters would be neat too

[@chapmancarruthers]

Both great suggestions. I’d even like to see Sun Kil Moon added, and even Kozelek’s solo stuff.

[@179rich]

Jason is right, this band never put out anything bad, at least not on their proper studio albums.

[@179rich]

TV ON THE RADIO! Make Joe listen to them. He just needs some time with them and he'll get it.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I won’t. - Joe

[@sammo2560]

Perfect From Now On at #7 is bizarre. Easily their best imo. Though I do agree that You In Reverse is amazing, possibly my second favourite of theirs.

[@179rich]

I was glad to see Kramzer show some appreciation for the debut. I think it's a great little indie album.

[@179rich]

Maybe Kramzer could enjoy There Is No Enemy for what it is, not what he wants it to be (like their other albums)? Just a thought.

[@NevermindtheRedundants]

Ultimate Alternative Wavers, Perfect From Now On, The Caustic Resin collaboration, and then everything else.

[@Z-eb]

my top 3 is in no order : Perfect From Now On, The Normal Years (I see this as an album, not compilation) and the deubt Ultimate Alternative Wavers, good runner ups are Theres nothing Wrong WIth Love and Untethered Moon. and yes, LIVE they are awsome, i were lucky they played the entire Perfect From Now On, what a trip !

[@alexconway4950]

Nice one chaps. Perfect from Now On maybe a no.1 but really dig You in Reverse..real good solid indie rock band. 👍

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

I always say that Doug Martsch speaks fluent guitar, while he is not the most technical guitarist in history he makes the guitar say words

[@harryt92]

1 Ultimate alternative wavers 2 There's nothing wrong with love 3 Perfect from now on :p

[@andrewdyke5561]

I didn't get any notification for new videos and I'm a member and everything

[@threestringsomg]

I do like the lottery of niche unknown artists though....so don't be shy of them in future when you go back to some. There must be soooo many gems out there...in all types of music...

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

If it'd been up to me I would've done Mercury Rev this week. Their music is in somewhat the same vein as Built To Spill... but it's more interesting, imo.

[@threestringsomg]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 I loved Mercury rev for a while...All is dream is an album that has stayed with me for 20 years.....I'm pretty sure I will love their other stuff....and that I missed a few of their classics👍

[@wesleyAlan9179]

My favorite band in the whole universe, and I'm not the kinda guy to have "favorites"

[@pete3105]

10. Built to Spill Plays the Songs of Daniel Johnston (2020) ★★★ 9. Ultimate Alternative Wavers (1993) ★★★ 8. Ancient Melodies of the Future (2001) ★★★½ 7. Untethered Moon (2015) ★★★½ 6. Perfect From Now On (1997) ★★★½ 5. There Is No Enemy (2009) ★★★½ 4. When the Wind Forgets Your Name (2022) ★★★½ 3. You in Reverse (2006) ★★★★ 2. There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) ★★★★ 1. Keep It Like a Secret (1999) ★★★★½ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst

[@179rich]

Well done lads!

[@peterkau]

You guys should do The Sea and Cake worst to best...

[@179rich]

09) Built to Spill Plays the Songs of Daniel Johnson (3.25 stars) 08) Ancient Melodies of the Future (3.5 stars) 07) Untethered Moon (4.5 stars) 06) There is no Enemy (5 stars) 05) There's Nothing Wrong with Love (5 stars) 04) Ultimate Alternative Wavers (5 stars) 03) You In Reverse (5 stars) 02) Perfect from Now On (5 stars) 01) Keep It Like a Secret (5 stars) Enjoyed the hell out of this one, the singing, songwriting, and especially the guitar. The singer does sound like Wayne Coyne at times, more than Neil Young I would say. At times their music has sounded very much like the Flaming Lips as well, as well as Tortoise, the Shins, and even on a few occasions Black Sabbath and Rush. But this band (or, more specifically, Doug Martsch) is great enough to transcend their influences and take them to new places. 0 stars - irredeemably terrible/ the worst .5 stars - terrible 1 star - bad 1.5 stars - between bad and fair 2 stars - fair 2.5 stars - between fair and pretty good/OK 3 stars - pretty good/OK 3.5 stars - good 4 stars - very good 4.5 stars - excellent 5 stars - the bomb

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Six 5-stars?!? Daaaaaaaaaamn -Jason

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Dang. It looks like you might have a new all-time favorite band. (Six 5-star albums is what I give to my all-time favorite band- The Beatles.) I couldn't get to 5 stars on any Built To Spill album. I'm not convinced they have anything so timeless as to deserve that. I did enjoy their discography quite a bit, though. Making a top 10 songs list for them will be tough.

[@179rich]

Perhaps a tad too generous but I couldn't find a thing wrong with these albums I rated 5 stars and I was thrilled with the guitar playing, the songwriting and the sound throughout. I gave every song on There Is No Enemy 5 stars so it kinda had to be 5 stars lol.

[@179rich]

I am not constrained by any policy that says albums need to be graduated across a scale or there can only be so many 5 star albums, so when I feel an album is the bomb there are nothing to hold back my rating.

[@179rich]

I guess I should have said that the Shins were influenced by BTS, not the other way around.

[@mattperegrine873]

I really feel like this should include The Treepeople and Halobenders releases as well if we are going to be able to judge the whole of Martsch. "Something Vicious for Tomorrow" is the track to beat. Scott and Pat played their asses off. The influence of Caustic Resin should be acknowledged as well.

[@painless465]

Built to Spill or Modest Mouse? Love one album by each(Perfect From Now on and Lonesome Crowded West). Wonder who's catalogue is more worth exploring

[@179rich]

I would say Built to Spill but it's close.

[@curly_wyn]

And I agree with Jason. Daniel Johnston wasn’t a great singer or musician or producer, but he was definitely an amazing songwriter! :3

[@geewiz4006]

Sooooooo..... How do you both feel about the new album?

[@Sir_Eyeball]

I only listened to the debut and was not motivated to go further, but I will nevertheless check out your #1's.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I think their first couple albums are skippable... but their 3rd, 4th, and 5th albums are excellent, in my opinion. If you're looking for their most "straight ahead rock 'n roll" type of material I would recommend Ancient Melodies Of The Future.

[@edgustafson]

Ultimate Alternative Wavers is probably the worst place to start for this band. It's really an outlier and doesn't sound like much else in their catalog.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 That's what I'm looking for!

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@edgustafson Sounds like I had bad luck by deciding to start chronologically. I will check out 'Ancient Melodies...' and may take a deeper look.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Ancient Melodies is quite good, between 3 and 4 stars after first listen. Very different to the debut.

[@andrewdyke5561]

I feel like this is a band joe would love

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I don’t hate them. - Joe

[@UlyssesJonah]

a bit of diversion; I think Daniel Johnston not being a good musician adds to the charm (maybe a wrong word), rawness and emotional impact of his music

[@garrettredd2541]

Have you all been asked to take on Modest Mouse's discog?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Not yet

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I think they have, but I don't think any of them like Modest Mouse. A listography is probably years away if it happens at all.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I like Modest Mouse! They even made my top 5 in 2000. In fact, I like Modest Mouse more than Built to Spill. -Jason

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@TastesLikeMusic I stand corrected. I know Joe hates them. For the most part I like them. I think they have a couple-four good albums but at the same time they're not anything I'd write home about.

[@edgustafson]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Four good albums out of a 7 album discography is pretty good.

[@andrewdyke5561]

This is my favorite indie band period

[@ishsaw1]

Top 3, no order Perfect from now on Keep it like a secret Ancient melodies

[@stevefleming8742]

Never heard of them. Not a criticism just never heard their name.

[@Walrus286]

Dive in. I realllllly disagree with their album order. Keep it like a secret. Dive in. Some of the best guitar work ever.

[@TheDigitalGramophone]

I shall return with the utmost scrutiny… 😎

[@mikemauzey3996]

It’s so much better your three.

[@bengalgangster]

didnt know this band but been listening and surprised that it was pretty good good guitar but a little strange at times but overall a have a good opinion getting ready for queen

[@fredrickmeyers8076]

Perfect from now on is #1. It’s a masterpiece

[@henergy96]

This is awful. Here’s a good rating top 5 1: Keep it like a secret 2: Perfect from now on 3: there is nothing wrong with love 4: you in reverse 5: acient Melodie’s from the future

[@oppothumbs1]

More exotic then the bands that influenced them. Appreciate more than like them. According to one : R. E.M., Murmur. The Smiths, Hatful of Hollow. Dinosaur Jr., You're Living All Over Me. Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation. Pixies, Doolittle. Some songs sound like Mazy Star though I don't know them well. Not into the lead singers voice (has a definite 90s sound, sounds like every song should start with "Ma, I got a problem you won't believe (in Acapella or accompanied..) not sure why I think that though I like sort of bad voices so weirdness is not going to stop me. I am guided by bad voices too. I can see why they are loved as they put so much (re: too much for me) into their songs. I think the more songs have a slightly electronic sound I pull away for fear of shock. Maybe after 7 songs I admired and liked "Stop the Show" but wouldn't listen to it again. Murmur was REMs best next to Eponymous; Smiths Bests of I and II are great, Dino Jr Where you been is almost perfect .. not a bad song. Pixies Doolittle Monkey gone to Heaven is great song. Yeah I can't get into Spill, I really tried. Heard they love Neil Young and Crazy Horse and I tried listening to some covers like Neil Young's Cortez the Killer and some was part of the cover was good but too long (holy cow, 20 mins!) and not enough feeling or can't relate to the weirdness of lead singers voice and heavy metal guitar that comes in. They just have to show off their skills in every song? Just thought I would be honest and then the rest of you can love them more because of my obvious terrible taste. It's a psychological effect .. so you can enjoy them more. Also feel a little of Ride (love the Twisterella sound) and Teenage Fanclub and King Crimson in one song.

[@oppothumbs1]

I also look at this at one more attempt to stall reviewing The Replacements and you will probably do me dirt by reviewing Paul Westerberg first. Though I love your show, I do wish I liked your tastes more so I could look forward to my favorite band being reviewed. You guys and the missing one are very intelligent, way behind me.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We did the Replacements 6 weeks ago.

[@179rich]

Alright, I'm going to attempt Queen. I'm not familiar with most of this material so I don't know if I can pull it off in a week but I'll make the attempt. Hearing the debut albums of both Queen and Steely Dan, I'm much more interested in the Queen. I'm wondering why the Queen album gets low ratings; listening now and it sounds great to me.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The first Queen album is criminally underrated. Made my top 5 in 73. -Jason

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

It gets some priase. It's just that it is very different from the main body of their work. Hard rock folks seem to likeQ1.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Anyone who likes Q1 more than Q2 can’t be trusted. - Joe

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

@@TastesLikeMusic TBH I kinda agree . . .

[@edgustafson]

I suspect my Queen ranking will be way out of alignment with most people. I'm not a huge Queen fan outside of their singles, but I find the Queen albums everyone seems to think are their best -- Queen II and A Night at the Opera -- to be pretty mediocre.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Just from comment section built to spill is wayyyyy underrateddddd

[@andrewdyke5561]

There nothin, perfect from now, and keep it secret is a holy Trinity for me

[@ericdeyoe4306]

I’m so confused on how The Normal Years is not listed, or Built to Spill LIVE

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We only rank studio albums. Normal Years is a comp and live is obviously a live album.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Both out their ranking already and I'm still in album 8

[@spikeycoda]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh what!!! THINNNNNNNNNN??? UAW sounds thin??????? ULTIMATE ALTERNATIVE WAVERS ON ACID THE SUMMER OF 1994 makes this one of the best records of all time. These dudes are tripping. Amateurs??? WTF... He's like already bald by then. Are you guys unaware of Treepeople or what. Lame.

[@threestringsomg]

Keep it like a secret...starts with The Plan 7/10 which sounds like a blend of 90s bands I quite like...i.e. Placebo, Mercury Rev, Supergrass, Elastica Garbage and a smidgeon of Sonic Youth, but the main first impression is the energy is good. Centre Piece Of the Universe 4/10 sounds really annoying...like bad Garbage or like some of the gimicky awful forgotten music I heard in my student days (which btw was at the time of this albums release 1999) Carry To Zero just whines on 5/10 and by Sidewalk 5/10 I know I am bored of this band already. It's like being forced to listen to Shed 7 or some other forgettable forgettable band...sry couldn't finish album so will not score it. As I'm on holiday I will treat myself to not continuing instead....lol🧐

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

You sound like me last week with Dwight Yoakam, heh-heh - although I was able to get through 6 albums before finally deciding I couldn't go any further.

[@threestringsomg]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 well to be fair I nearly quit after not enjoying Dwight's debut at all ..at. all. But things improved for me after I got over that hump. He has alot of personality which helps....Built to Spill though ....I on purposely picked a highly rated album...not the debut this time....and it really does sound like so much papp. Indie music was never my bag though tbh...because there was sooo much rubbish....but I'm sure like with Dwight I may have found an angle to like if I heard all the records. Judging by my song scores it was probably heading for a 6/10 for the album at best...I don't think I would've been too harsh...just not too bothered....

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@threestringsomg ...which is exactly how I felt about Dwight Yoakam after listening to 6 albums! Heh-heh. His stuff was pleasant enough- 2.5 star to 3 star territory- but almost completely unremarkable to my ears, songwriting-wise. After 6 albums I just couldn't commit to doing 12 more. I understand where you're coming from on Built To Spill- the two 4 star albums I gave them I consider to be "weak 4s." But I will go to the mat defending 'Ancient Melodies' as a legitimately great album. It rocks, and for the most part has memorable melodies and guitar lines.

[@threestringsomg]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Ok...i might listen to it one day.....likewise I'd recommend Gone as the darkest coolest Dwight Yokum album....I put 3 pears top because the production was outstanding more than I loved the music. Sometimes you can hear an album that clearly millions will love like 3 Pears and you can't mark it down even subjectively....3 Pears is one of those to my ears. But Gone is the only album I could love eventually....

[@pechondelgado]

I don't think most Built to Spill fans LOVE Perfect From Now On. I think it's the one record that the music media loves to place on a pedestal. It's a good album but it definitely is tiring to try to get through. The album is sandwiched by 2 superior albums.

[@andrewdyke5561]

First album is underrated to me I love the amateur feel to it

[@179rich]

OK Kramzer, I will go back and listen to Ancient Melodies again.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

It might be that Kram and I have taken to Ancient Melodies because it's their most rockin' album. It's the one that gets my blood pumping the most, which is something I look for in music.

[@179rich]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 I didn't hear it that way at all but I will go back to see if I can hear what I missed.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Wowwwww than Jason puts perfect from now at 7

[@covemascio1073]

Why no normal years?

[@threestringsomg]

Well I'm not saying no to Elliot Smith or Alice in Chains...not too sure about Phil Collins (outside of Genesis)...everytime one of his 80s pop hits comes on I do a 'i liked that when I was 8' cringe snort😒....looking forwards to Queen and Steely Dan too though... Well done guys.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I might end up skipping Phil along with you. I listened to his first couple-three solo albums as part of the AOTY series and I wasn't impressed (other than a few of the hit singles I'd already heard.)

[@edgustafson]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Phil's first couple solo albums are pretty solid. Gets cheesy pretty darn quick after that though.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@edgustafson I might give 'em a go again when Phil Collins week comes around just to see if they've grown on me. I seem to remember they were pretty heavy on downtempo, ballady type of stuff. Usually, slower tempo balladry leaves me bored unless I think the songs are exceptional.

[@LucaVincent]

😳

[@anthonybernard3689]

are you including jar of flies?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Yep.

[@anthonybernard3689]

@@TastesLikeMusic how about Phil's movie scores/soundtracks?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Doubtful

[@179rich]

Had more time to watch in between jobs than I realized.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Unetered moon was very boring to me and not as inspire and I love all their albums but this one didn't do nothing for me

[@andrewdyke5561]

You should watch the documentary the devil and Daniel Johnston kramzer you will appreciate him alot more

[@scottmcrae3355]

Joe doesn’t like Built to Spill? What gives? Isn’t he into My Morning Jacket or am I mis-remembering?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think Built to Spill is good. From what I’ve heard anyway. I think they might get a 4 star album from me. But I just don’t care about them and it was my scheduled week off. - Joe

[@andrewdyke5561]

Jason wins this round for me even though I feel kramzer having keep it a secret at 2 I like more but I like Jason having there's nothing.

[@franklyn7965]

Y’all should do Rolling Stones with joe as well

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We will someday.

[@franklyn7965]

@@TastesLikeMusic can’t wait !

[@179rich]

I'd love to do the Stones but I would need two weeks notice.

[@chapmancarruthers]

That one would need to be broken up into multiple episodes. In fact, any list that involves about more than ten albums should be so you guys can go into depth about everything and not rush it

[@EyeTunz]

Untethered Moon is the only 5 star album. The only one that rocks start to finish. The only one that doesn't have songs that just put me to sleep and just sound like a teenager crying into their pillow.

[@andrewdyke5561]

There is nothing wrong with love at number 7 kramzer you already lost me my friend

[@BazStrickland]

Never ‘eard of them booooyyyyzzzz I’ll give them a listen but as I was watching this a new Dry Cleaning single just dropped. So I’ll be all over that first. Soz Queen. Ffs. I wish Queen were niche.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

The Dry Cleaning single is decent imo.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Who??

[@andrewdyke5561]

I think kramzer as lost me the most on this list

[@mikeragan5187]

You guys don't get out much do you? Obvs you don't get BTS at all.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

What makes you say that - kram ?

[@wesleyAlan9179]

@@TastesLikeMusic I believe what he's trying to say is, as a super Fan..(and I too)...we listen to Built to Spill religiously. As a super fan, I have been listening to BtS for almost 10 years now. I actually had to take a break to lower my tolerance to other music...like, as if BtS is THE "drugs" of bands. I hope that makes sense..so,I had to take around month or so off because other bands just started to suck balls compared to BtS, even bands I totally loved before finding BtS. So,I'm back to listening to them now and they're even better than what they were before. Now...this may be because of my Autism too😆😄 An you guys just don't "get it" like we do.

[@andrewdyke5561]

Unetered with Daniel Johnston is my less favorite

[@andrewdyke5561]

First album sounds very dinseour jr

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I hear more Pavement in it than Dino. -Jason