Review: Built to Spill at The Grey Eagle
It’s easy to take Built To Spill for granted.
For three decades, this legendary indie rock band has been on what feels like an endless tour, stopping in Asheville nearly every year since 2008 with bearded frontman Doug Martsch (vocals/guitar) leading a revolving ensemble of players. Seeing as the band comes through town so consistently, it’s easy to tell yourself “I’ll skip them this time around. They’ll be back soon enough.” That’s what I told myself the last time they swung through Asheville a little over a year ago.
Unlike that previous stop at The Grey Eagle, there was a significant hook to guarantee my attendance to the band’s Sept. 13 show. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of its beloved 1994 sophomore album, There’s Nothing Wrong With Love, the group would be performing the record in its entirety. Those 12 songs helped to set the standard for the wave of indie rock that would follow, and have remained a consistent source of enjoyment even as my love of other favorites from the era have faded.
To sweeten the deal, miniaturized was tabbed to open. Featuring members of Pinback and Rocket From The Crypt, the San Diego band promised to be worth getting to the venue early for. And so I did.
Although the quartet couldn’t quite achieve the magic of its members’ primary projects, the relatively new group impressed with their seasoned performance and energetic presence. A lively cover of the classic INXS tune “Don’t Change” was undoubtedly the biggest crowd pleaser, but the group’s own songs, especially the anthemic “Cave In,” proved to be worth the prompt arrival to the venue.
With devoted fans maneuvering through the packed Grey Eagle, seeking a good line of sight, the headliners from Boise, Idaho — featuring its recent power trio configuration of Martsch, Melanie Radford (bass), and Teresa Esguerra (drums) — took the stage with one significant addition: John McMahon. And the cellist who performed on the original There’s Nothing Wrong With Love recordings certainly provided an additional magic to the show.
Recreating the album’s lo-fi, ramshackle charm could have been a challenge, but Martsch & Co. delivered it flawlessly. The heartfelt tracks like “Fling” and “Twin Falls” still sent shivers down my spine, and the frontman’s explosive solos during “Car” and “Stab” elevated the show to the euphoric heights that I had hoped for.
While the There’s Nothing Wrong With Love set alone would have been enough to make my night, hearing “Sidewalk” from Keep It Like A Secret before the night was over provided an extra special treat.
We’re all so lucky that Built To Spill comes through Asheville so regularly, and really should never take it for granted.
(Photo by Alex Hecht)
