Rolling Stone (p.67) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he album is a dog-eared collection of front-porch melodies and buzzy guitar jams, with Neil Young and Frank Black as spiritual godfathers."
Entertainment Weekly (p.86) - "[T]racks like hypnotic slow-burner 'Goin' Against Your Mind' and the jaunty 'Conventional Wisdom' are more enjoyably organic-sounding than most of 2001's [album]..." -- Grade: B+
Uncut (p.96) - 3 stars out of 5 -- [I]t's the great 'Liar' that finds the best blend of the band's melodies and imploring vocals. It's good to hear again."
Magnet (p.89) - "[I]t's wistful but shiny....YOU IN REVERSE strikes the perfect balance. 'Goin' Against Your Mind' is like a Built To Spill greatest hits-package all in one song..."
Built To Spill: Doug Martsch (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Jim Roth, Brett Netson (guitar); Brett Nelson (bass guitar); Scott Plouf (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Steven Wray Lobdell (various instruments); Sam Coomes (organ).
Recording information: Audible Alchemy, Portland, Oregon (2006).
Doug Martsch and his bandmates in Built to Spill have delivered a unique dose of engaging and smartly constructed indie rock with nearly every record they've made, and 2006's YOU IN REVERSE is no exception. Still marked by Martsch's winding vocal melodies and, especially, his explosive, ever-imaginative guitar heroics, the album equals, and arguably surpasses, the band's previous efforts.
While Martsch's vocal lines, lyrics, and dazzling six-string work are as surreal and psychedelic as ever, YOU IN REVERSE seems comparatively thoughtful and reigned in; the band's sonic wildness is sublimated into a more song-oriented approach that at times has folky overtones. Yet Martsch remains the greatest indie-rock guitar hero since J. Mascis, and fans certainly won't be disappointed on that count (just check out the solo on "Conventional Wisdom" for confirmation).
