BUILT TO SPILL

When The Wind Forgets Your Name (Sub Pop)

Long-running American indie-rock band Built to Spill have returned with their first album in seven years. When The Wind Forgets Your Name is an intricate album with hints of influence from classic music from the 1970s to late 90s: a vocal line reminiscent of Sparks’ This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us, or arrangements that feel like upbeat versions of Mercury Rev’s Deserter’s Songs.

Gonna Lose is a brilliant opener and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Spiderweb and Never Alright are classic-sounding and guitar-driven, with nods to Neil Young and REM. Elements is a soft lullaby waltz, and Rocksteady takes on a funky twist from the band’s usual style with reggae and dub-inspired instrumentation.

Frontman Doug Martsch’s voice is certainly unique, his songs intriguing – still, whether Built To Spill will gain any new fans with When The Wind Forgets Your Name remains to be seen.

words AMY WILD