Keep It Like a Secret
by Built to Spill
- Type: Album
- Released: February 2, 1999
- Label: Warner Bros., Up
- Country: United States
- Length: 46:52
- Community rating: 4.39/5 from 19 ratings
Artists on this release: Scott Plouf, Doug Martsch, Brett Nelson
Album Notes & Community Reviews
As a conscious move toward shorter, more focused songwriting, 'Keep It Like a Secret' balances the intricate, layered guitar arrangements of its predecessor with newfound pop immediacy. Producer Phil Ek honed the band's sound for their second major label release, achieving a polished accessibility that retains their core indie-rock aesthetic and Doug Martsch鈥檚 distinct, Neil Young-esque vocals. The album is defined by this dynamic, striking a celebrated equilibrium between anthemic hooks and the complex, virtuosic instrumentality that culminates in standout tracks like "Carry the Zero" and the lyrical collage of "You Were Right".
Genres
Descriptors: guitar-heavy, jangly, melodic, sprawling, earnest
Tracklist
- The Plan (03:29)
- Center of the Universe (02:43)
- Carry the Zero (05:43)
- Sidewalk (03:51)
- Bad Light (03:22)
- Time Trap (05:22)
- Else (04:09)
- You Were Right (04:45)
- Temporarily Blind (04:48)
- Broken Chairs (08:40)
Credits
- Doug Martsch - band, producer, performer
- Brett Nelson - band, bassist, performer
- Scott Plouf - band, drummer, performer
- Sam Coomes - keyboards on "Broken Chairs"
- Phil Ek - producer, engineer
- Steve Fallone - mastering
- Zack Reinig - engineer assistant
- Scott Norton - mixing assistant
- Juan Garcia - mixing assistant
- Jeff Smith - photography
- Tae Won Yu - design, art direction, photography
- Karena Youtz - lyrics by [contributed to lyrics throughout]
- Uhuru Black - words by