Boise, Idaho, has given us two great artists. David Lynch is a transformative figure, a true visionary and one of the key figures of modern cinema. Doug Martsch, on the other hand, is a relatively small phenomenon in the grand scheme of things. The founder of indie-rock outfit Built to Spill (an odd name, and such an unfortunate abbreviation), a band who have been around for 30 years and who only have cult following and critical adoration to show for it. A band who have never really set the world on fire - except with that epic 20-minute version of "Cortez the Killer".
Having said that, all the good people know the two facts: Built to Spill are phenomenal live, and Perfect From Now On and Keep It Like A Secret contain some of the greatest songs of the 90s. Played to distorted perfection, sung in that unmistakable voice of emotional whimsy that should evoke Wayne Coyne and Jonathan Donahue. God knows I love that voice, even if I do understand how it can be an acquired taste. My advice would be to bear with it. Because the songs are good.
The new album features Martsch's first original material since Untethered Moon (2015). In between, there was a competent but unexciting album of Daniel Johnston's covers and nothing else. Which makes When The Wind Forgets Your Name a sort of comeback. And, to dispel any doubts and apprehensions, these are some of Doug Martsch's sharpest songs in years.
Interestingly, the stellar guitar work that Doug Martsch is famous for is not especially conspicuous on this album. Obviously the playing is great all the way through, ragged and charming, it is just that the focus is on the songwriting. The opener "Gonna Lose" is two and a half minutes of propulsive melodic outburst. And then... "Fool's Gold" is timeless, "Understood" is bouncy, "Elements" is heartbreaking. Only "Rocksteady", the slack side closer, is a little too pedestrian and does not really get its hooks into you until the last minute or so. The second side is more of the same - but a little more expansive, and the guitar plays a bigger role in the proceedings - not least in the closing "Comes A Day" which is every bit as epic and breathtaking as "Broken Chairs" from Keep It Like A Secret. Those last few minutes of Doug's tasteful guitar racket could continue for a couple of hours and never lose me for a second.
When The Wind Forgets Your Name is a quiet, low-key triumph for Built to Spill. It is not something you have not heard before. This is the usual deal from Doug Martsch - but if the usual deal is superior indie-rock with undeniable melodic sensibilities and masterful guitar playing, I will take it. A welcome comeback. Shame about the cover, though.
