Customer Reviews

There Is No Enemy (2 LP with Bonus CD) [Vinyl]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There Is No Enemy is something of a return to form for a band that practically invented that form in the first place. Built to Spill's 90's albums pretty much set the standard for what indie rock could and should be: sprawling, elegant, aggressive. At the turn of the century, the band seemed to lose their way, producing a couple of decent albums in 2001 and 2006, but ultimately failing to achieve the sheer perfection that they did on their earlier works. Fortunately, it seems like Doug Martsch has found some new inspiration, because this is an excellent set of songs that sound like classic Built to Spill, with all the riffage and confounding lyrics that go with that.

The album on a whole is a really strong set of indie rockers, but one of my particular favorites is "Hindsight," which is something of a midtempo ballad that manages to cover a ton of ground in its mere three minutes and some seconds. I think it's safe to say that Built to Spill fans will love this record and the lack of indulgent sprawl that marred some of You In Reverse's best moments.

I think most BTS fans will find 'There Is No Enemy' to be a decent but unspectacular album in the band's lineup. Its place in the band's heirarchy has more to do with BTS's consistently good output over the last 15 years than any serious shortcomings the album has.

In production quality, the album has a similar feel to 'You In Reverse' but it lacks some of the previous album's excess, and has a more laid back, melodic feel. Most of the songs sound as if they originated from Doug's pen first, with jams put around it instead of the other way around. Aside from minor instrumentation additions, there's nothing really new for BTS. The biggest difference is that Doug's lyrics seem more straight forward than in album's past, he sings openly about things like love and disappointment throughout most of the album.

For me the high points were the first 5 songs on the album and the closer 'Tomorrow', which I thought was very good. I was not elated when I first heard this album, but I'm not disappointed either. Built To Spill sounds like a band that has refined its sound into something unique and enjoyable, but has also taken it as far as it can go. I imagine I'll continue to enjoy the work of Built To Spill, but I will no longer be surprised by anything they do. As long as they continue on their current track, I'm okay with that.

First, I love the album, I just deployed to Iraq, last month, so I just happened to be checking if there was anyhting new out from BTS, and sure enough there was! I began crying, and held my hands up to heaven, thanking god and all his glory. well it wasn't quite like that but I was pretty stoked. I downloaded it off our great internet connection that took me about an hour.
So far I've listened to it about 10 times and it seems to get better after every play through. "Things Fall Apart", and "Tomorow" are great tracks, so's "Boredom".Yes it sounds like typical BTS but it also sounds different, with little flourishes here and there, horns and what not.
Now as for the audio quality, I don't know if it's my computer, or my crap headphones, but if I turn it up to much, it starts to distort, I don't normally get this on other albums. I just ordered a new set of SONY V6 Studio Monitor headphones, so I'll see if it still happens on those. But I think it might have been mixed a little HOT. I ordered a copy on vinyl for my wife, and I'm going to test it against that when I go home on leave. for now I'll just enjoy what I got.
Bottom line, it's a good album, with great songs.
****UPDATE****
I got my new headphones, and it sounds perfect through them, So I would change my review to 5 stars but it won't let me.

I really enjoy this latest album by Built to Spill. There are some standout tracks on here. I listened to the album all the way through once, was fairly impressed, but each time after I find different nuances and notes that impress me even more. That's why BTS is special for me; no other band is so layered and complex yet simple and elegant. I know other reviews are quick to point out that other BTS albums are superior. In my opinion, the 3 record run in 1990's (There's Nothing Wrong with Love, Perfect From Now On, and Keep it Like a Secret) is the most impressive run in that era outside of Nirvana. Those albums were THAT great, and could be played without skipping a track on any of them. On this album, there's only 2 songs that don't move me (Oh Yeah and Good Ol Boredom). For me, the standout tracks are Hindsight, Pat, and Tomorrow. In an era of no one really making CD's anymore, that's quite a feat, and it is why I rank this one the 4th best in Built to Spill's catalog (in that regard it's 4 stars). But this is only for someone who is looking to compare between BTS' previous work. When you compare this to any other "rock" music out there, or the garbage that is popular, this is head and shoulders better than anything else being made today(hence, the 5 stars I give it). I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quality album to play without having to skip tracks or just listen to 3 songs and switch it. I guess that's why BTS is my favorite band. Doug M understands that there are still fans and people who appreciate excellent written songs, well constructed music, and heart and soul. Every time my faith in music is tested, Built to Spill makes a record, and I believe again.

I'll start off admitting that I'm a huge Built To Spill fan, so expect some bias. That being said, I really loved this album. Certainly this album isn't as good as "Perfect From Now On" or "Keep It Like A Secret," but few things are.

I enjoyed this album all the way through, but loved "Things Fall Apart" most. I saw them play the song live in 2007, and I'd been eagerly awaiting the studio release of this track.

Go buy this disc!

I stumbled across Built to Spill years and years ago on college radio right when they were releasing Ultimate alt Waivers. I revisited them a few years back and realized how they (he) had progressed muscially with albums "Perfect" and "Keep". when this new release came out, I grabbed it immediately and I think it is the best work!

Some highlights

Hindsight is one of those songs you love when you first hear it. Great guitar tone and catchy hooks
I love the haunting lyrics and singing of Nowhere Lullaby
Life's a Dream has a dreamy Beatlesqe feel to it, stays in your head.
Dont miss the fantastic studio guitar work towards the end of Done, so creative and ambient!

Love this disc!

The downfall of attempting a review of bands like Built to Spill is the fact that true greatness in American rock often resides in that band of excellence that avoids the mass market, appealing instead to a core group of fans who are sustained over time by a a certain sonic signature. BTS in my books has already secured their place in the Hall of Fame if for nothing other than the brilliant Keep It Like a Secret. Add Perfect From Now On and Live and there are few groups or artists between 1997 and 1999 who produced better work, if any.

Having said that it follows that nothing I said could alter or affect the expectations and conclusions of a die hard BTS fan, since they will have already heard, digested and decided where in the BTS canon this release resides. There Is No Enemy is not the instant classic of Keep it Like A Secret or Perfect From Now On, but it is nevertheless consistently excellent. Near the end of "Hindsight" Martsch sings: "What about Canada/it's paradise with pines and ice/Morning comes in freight ships while you're sleeping" and even though I didn't have a clue what he really meant looking at the words it made perfect sense hearing him sing them. Sitting here in amongst the pines and ice I just want to thank the freight ships for the rock 'n roll mornings and Doug Martsch for the music. **** 1/2 stars

I think most BTS fans would agree that although Ancient Melodies and You In Reverse each had their stand-out moments (Strange, Weather, Goin' Against Your Mind) the albums didn't come close to reaching the heights of (in particular) the two that came before them.

There Is No Enemy comes close. Very close.

Yes, it is strange that a band as talented and valuable like BTS can come back with great album as a follow up to a dissapointing one which in my eyes was "You In Reverse". I just couldnt relate to that record no matter how many times I listened to it. I thought it was way to forced and alot of the beauty that BTS presents was sacrificed in its making. I dont know, maybe others will dissagree. I am soooo relieved and exited that BTS is again doing what they were doing 10 years ago when they drew me in, and thats produce achingly beautiful melodies. But....it's not re-hash, not by any stretch, everything is fresh and new. Its not a 5 Star album like a Keep It Like a Secret or PFNO, those were different times and that stuff was pretty much genius. Enemy is just a good album that my guess, will please longtime fans and newbies alike. Songs like "Aisle 13", "Hindsight" and "Tomorrow" are as strong as anything they have done. Aisle 13 has been stuck in my head for about 2 weeks now, that riff is crazy fun. "Good Ol Boredom" is a song that I never expected to hear from a band like BTS but it reminds me of alot of other bands I have always enjoyed. "Tomorrow" is one of the best album ending songs ever, its like all the BTS brilliance rolled up and presented in one song. Wierd thing is that I get the same vibe from listening to "Tomorrow" that I get whenever I hear the Beatles 'The End". That kinda... "BTS has just left the building" feeling. If thats the case , they go out on a high in my books. If I'm wrong , look for good things going forward.

Built to Spill returns with a seventh LP that sounds serene, tight and rich in melody. Although there is no reiterative stridence the amazing guitars are omnipresent to offer a solid return after five years of absence. The bearded fellows are not really exploring new territories here; they seem content with the road they have walked so far and are indulging in flashbacks of a glorious past.

Good ol' boredom does not live up to its name and offers instead a mix of banging drums and the distinctive Doug Marstch guitar and vocals soaring in the over six minutes it lasts. Oh yeah and Life's a dream follow the same pattern of delivering majestic, simple tunes with a cadence that would otherwise be lethargic. Things fall apart is a perfect reminder of what brought them where they stand now. The inclusion of trumpets right in between spacey guitar solos makes up for a memorable track.

Tomorrow closes with a spine-chilling opus where lines like It's wonderful and scary / knowing what's alive... that's what makes me wanna never die morph their denotative meaning to resume the entire vibe of the album. No hidden meanings, no heartbreaking memories, just music, laid back and powered by an inherent drive.

Marstch has conceded in a recent interview saying that this is a collection of previously rehearsed songs and not the fruit of a recording session per se. Judging by the quality of the tracks we would venture to say they have a kick-ass time jamming.

That's where the real genius of a band not looking to sound current or impress anyone beyond themselves lies; following up two of the best indie records of the past decade can be a daunting task but in this case the campiness becomes familiar and the familiar becomes intimate within seconds. There is nothing else one could ask from them.