Disco de Built to Spill: “There's Nothing Wrong With Love”

I am compelled to write my first review here because I have such strong feelings about this CD. This is a near perfect album. I am certainly not a music reviewer, and have a hard time explaining exactly why this album remains one of my favorites after first hearing it in 94.

Some random thoughts, in no sensible order...

I'm not particularly concerned with a band's guitar and vocal chops...others have covered that plenty. For me, this whole album just feels so consistently good. Someone said this was a happy record, I dunno about that. I see more of a wistful innocence to some of the songs ("Twin Falls", for instance, just kills me in the same way White Stripes "We're Going to be Friends" does). There's a certain charm and sweetness on this album, for sure, but more than enough edge, maturity and intelligence to keep it interesting and never cloying or obvious.

And to whoever said there was 'nothing going on lyrically', HUH? The lyrics are a big part of the reason why I can listen to this album for days on end. Even in some of its straightforward simplicity, there's always a line or phrase to latch onto and ponder and smile and sigh about...huge ideas distilled to the bare essentials. Sometimes odd, sometimes vague, but never esoteric-just-for-the-sake-of-being-obscure, which was (and is) so refreshing in the hipper-than-thou, indie heyday of the early-mid 90s.

This was my first and only BTS for years (never could get into earlier BTS or Caustic Resin), and didn't buy any of their subsequent releases as they came out, for fear that nothing could match the perfection of TNWWL. Since then I've decided that 'Keep It Like A Secret' probably comes in second. If you're looking for a slightly more polished sound, I would highly recommend KILAS...otherwise, I see no reason why not start with TNWWL, I don't think it's any less accessible than their later releases, just different.

And one more thing about the 'promo' at the end...Come on...jeesh! If you listened to it and didn't end up laughing out loud, or at least smirking, by the end...then perhaps you just don't get it, which helps me understand why you didn't appreciate this album.

I have rambled, but I think it's fair to say that this album is capable of changing your entire musical outlook, depending on where you stand when you first hear it.

Doug Martch uses his guitar prowess strictly for good and, on this album, his skillful guitar is used to move these gems forward. On later albums he is prone to extended solo's, but they aren't the kind that exist to show the dexterity and speed of the guitarist. They are extentions and explorations into the songs.

Built to Spill is the best band actively putting out music in America. I don't know of many other bands that make it so hard to choose your favorite album, I go back and forth all the time. I think if I had to have one, it has to be There's Nothing Wrong with Love. After repeated listens, it never seems to get old. From skewed perfect pop, to epics with a twist, this album is just perfect; perfect songs, and perfect sequencing. The lyrics are so original and fun. This album is just charming.

Give it a few listens and I'm sure you'll feel the same. The first four songs jump right out, the rest will come after each listen. The last hidden track is hilarious. You need to get this CD.

This is a great album, especially for those who are looking to get into them for the first time. I just saw them last week, 9/30/03, and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen, if you ever get the chance go see them, dont even think twice. this album has many BTS classics on it and shows where the band started. Great indie album from one of the most influencial bands of the 90's

Or they should anyway! If based on none of the other long line of enduring Built to Spill records that they have so thoughtfully graced us with, Built to Spill should go down in History as one of the greatest American Rock bands of all time! Many die-hard "Spillers" (as I like to call fans) will tell you that "Keep it Like a Secret" is their best offering, but I fall in the minority when I affirm that "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" is Built to Spill at their finest! This is a disc that gets your heart pumping from the first chord to the last!

This is the Album in the BTS catalog that speaks to the heart and mind of anyone who grew up in the Mountain West (I grew up in Utah)! It takes me back to my childhood and helps me to realize that it's okay to grow up!

I have to say my favorite track is "Twin Falls." That song struck a chord with me in a way that few other songs ever have! It's brilliant way of getting to the heart of elementary crush drama is something that the sheer brilliance of still to this day astounds me. This is a song like few ever written, one so moving that even Ben Folds Five chose a cover of "Twin Falls" as means of tribute to Doug & co.

In Short: Buy this record! You won't be disappointed!

of the detractors. If you distilled indie pop music down to its essence, this would be it. By far the greatest album I have ever owned. It's not big in sound (think Dead Milkmen, heavy Beatles influence), but the writing is amazing and the guitar tracks are all over the place. Perfect (their next album) is also good, but in a very different way - this one is more stripped down. Oh, and that reviewer who thought that the last track is really a promo - look up sucker in the dictionary.