Ultimate Alternative Wavers
Built to Spill · 1993
58 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling blend of intricate guitar work and introspective lyrics that captures the essence of early '90s indie rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Three Years Ago Today — This track exemplifies the band's ability to combine catchy melodies with reflective lyrics, showcasing their signature sound early on.
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Revolution — With its dynamic shifts and layered instrumentation, this song encapsulates the adventurous spirit of the album and highlights the band's innovative approach to songwriting.
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Nowhere Nothin' Fuckup — This track stands out for its raw emotional honesty and storytelling quality, serving as a poignant exploration of personal failure and disillusionment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate songwriting and unique structures but lacks some polish in execution.
What we noticed
- The album features extended guitar solos that often stretch beyond the typical verse-chorus structure, creating a more exploratory sound.
- Several songs include layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with the instrumentation, enhancing the melodic depth.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1993, Ultimate Alternative Wavers is Built to Spill's debut album, marking their entry into the alternative rock scene following their formation in 1992. At this point, the band was still establishing their sound, which would evolve significantly in subsequent releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Modest Mouse· The Shins· Death Cab for Cutie
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The First Song 4:01
- 2 Three Years Ago Today 3:56
- 3 Revolution 4:24
- 4 Shameful Dread 8:28
- 5 Nowhere Nothin' Fuckup 6:33
- 6 Get a Life 5:52
- 7 Built to Spill 5:51
- 8 Lie for a Lie 3:15
- 9 Hazy 6:41
- 10 Built Too Long, Parts 1, 2 & 3 9:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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