Former Treepeople frontman Doug Martsch formed Built to Spill in 1992 with Brett Netson and Ralf Youtz as the band's original members. In an interview with Spin magazine, Martsch stated that he intended to change the band's lineup for every album, with Martsch being the only permanent member. After the band's first album, Ultimate Alternative Wavers (1993), the lineup changing idea held true, as both Netson and Youtz were replaced by Brett Nelson (not Netson) and Andy Capps for 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love. A compilation album called The Normal Years, consisting of recordings by both the first and second trios, was released in 1996. Between recording albums in 1995, the band gained notoriety by playing on the Lollapalooza tour.
Martsch signed Built To Spill to the Warner Brothers label in 1995. Unlike many artists signed to major labels, however, the deal the band brokered with Warner allowed it to retain a large degree of creative control over future albums. Built to Spill produced its first major label release in 1997 with Perfect From Now On. By this time, the band consisted of Martsch, Nelson, Netson, and Scott Plouf. Perfect From Now On met with critical success and caused Built To Spill to become one of the United States' most recognizable indie rock bands. Before releasing another album, Martsch made Nelson and Plouf permanent members of the band. In 1999, the band released Keep It Like a Secret to continued critical success, and for the first time, significant commercial success. In response to fan requests, the Live album was released in 2000. The band's fifth studio album, Ancient Melodies of the Future, was released in 2001. Martsch also released Now You Know, a solo album with both blues and folk elements, in 2002. After 2002, Warner Bros. records signed the band to another album.
Built To Spill did not tour as a band in 2002 although Doug Martsch performed numerous solo concerts in support of his solo album. From 2003 to 2005, Built To Spill toured extensively with over 150 live performances, playing new songs live as early as 2004. In 2004, the band confirmed rumors that they had recorded another studio album in Portland, OR, titled You In Reverse. The album was not released in 2005 due to difficulties associated with the use of a new recording facility, inefficiencies associated with self-producing the album and time constraints. You In Reverse, the first studio album in five years, was released on April 11, 2006. The band's official lineup for the album featured Martsch, Nelson, Plouf, and Jim Roth, who was formerly a touring guitarist only. Former band member Brett Netson provided guitar work on several songs, Quasi's Sam Coomes provided keyboard work and Steve Lobdell, the owner of the Portland studio, plays on almost every song for the album including guitar, piano, vibes and percussion. Netson rejoined Built To Spill as an official member in 2006 after touring with the band in 2005.
The band announced an April/May 2006 tour in February 2006 in support of the new album. In late March 2006, however, frontman Doug Martsch suffered a detached retina that required surgery, causing the band to cancel its appearance at the South by Southwest music festival and postpone several of their tour dates. The band rescheduled the April and May tour dates in the fall, but most June dates on the West were not postponed. At their June 3, 2006 show, their first of the 2006 tour, Built to Spill played four unreleased songs that were not included on You In Reverse. This show also included the dedication of the song "Car" to former band member Andy Capps who had passed away a few weeks earlier that would continue throughout the tour.
In July 2007, Built To Spill released a new 12" vinyl single with two reggae-esque tracks, "They Got Away" and "Re-Arrange". According to Doug Martsch, BTS is not becoming a reggae band, they just "love to play it".
In 2009 Nelson replayed and recorded one song off of each full length Built To Spill album in ""New Wave circa 1982" style with analogue synthesizers and a drum machine having Martsch resing all of the songs and released it July 2010 through CDBABY,Itunes and Junketboy as The Electronic Anthology Project.Nelson's son (Nicholas) did the art/layout with the titles reworked as anagrams by his wife (Stephanie) he plans on future projects under the same moniker redoing other bands music.
Doug Martsch and original BTS drummer Ralf Youtz are also founding members of the much-loved, but short-lived, band the Halo Benders, with Calvin Johnson.
Youtz and Martsch are also brothers-in-law. (Martsch is married to Youtz's sister).
Ralf Youtz was leader of the Portland, Oregon band Ape Shape. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
Bret Netson is leader of the influential art/metal Boise band Caustic Resin, which put out a split 10" with BTS in 1995. That album has two different cover photos because a found photo was used without permission for the original version, but the photographer later found out and objected.
Life's a Dream
Built to Spill Lyrics
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Drowns you out, so you can't be too surreal
Common bonds, and fill me up with me
Everybody in this world is just like me
So what
Grow on
Life ain't nothin' but a dream
Sounds like fear
Thinking there might be a cure
Waste your life, but you don't know what it's worth
Comb your mind for the treasures of the soul
Too close to find anything outside yourself
So what
Grow on
Life ain't nothin' but a dream
Realistic as it seems
Miles 'till dawn, but it feels so dark 'till then
Drowns you out, but you can't be too certain
Common bonds, and fill me up with me
Everybody in this world is just like me
And so what
Grow on
Life ain't nothin' but a dream
Realistic as it seems
The song "Life's a Dream" by Built to Spill is a reflection on the transient nature of life and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The opening line "Dusk 'till dawn, but it feels so dark 'till then" suggests that life can be a long, tiring journey that can feel overwhelming and daunting. The line "Drowns you out, so you can't be too surreal" may suggest that in order to survive in this world, one can't become too caught up in their own dreams or fantasies, as they risk losing a grip on reality. The chorus "Life ain't nothin' but a dream, realistic as it seems" echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the idea that life is fleeting and ultimately, may not be what it initially appears to be.
The second verse explores the fear of wasting one's life and not knowing its true value. The line "Waste your life, but you don't know what it's worth" suggests the fear of not living up to one's potential and regretting the time that may have been wasted. The final lines of the song "Everybody in this world is just like me, and so what, grow on" imply that despite the fears and uncertainties surrounding life, ultimately, we're all in this together and must continue to push forward.
Overall, "Life's a Dream" presents a complex and thought-provoking commentary on the nature of life and the struggle to find meaning and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Dusk 'till dawn, but it feels so dark 'till then
The passage of time can seem meaningless and empty until the morning light pierces through.
Drowns you out, so you can't be too surreal
The world can be overwhelming and suppress individuality, making it difficult to express or explore alternative ways of being.
Common bonds, and fill me up with me
Shared experiences and connections with others can provide a sense of self and belonging.
Everybody in this world is just like me
Despite differences in circumstances or appearance, all people share a common humanity and similar struggles.
So what
In the grand scheme of things, many stresses or concerns can seem insignificant or unimportant.
Grow on
Continue living and evolving even in the face of adversity.
Life ain't nothin' but a dream
The fleeting nature of existence can make it feel like an illusory or surreal experience.
Realistic as it seems
Despite the surreal nature of life, it is still grounded in tangible realities and experiences.
Sounds like fear
The possibility of change or taking risks can induce anxiety or uncertainty.
Thinking there might be a cure
Despite the challenges faced in life, there is always hope for a resolution or improvement in circumstances.
Waste your life, but you don't know what it's worth
Without exploring oneself or the world around them, a person may never fully comprehend the value or potential of their life.
Comb your mind for the treasures of the soul
Through introspection and reflection, one can discover the meaningful aspects of their being and existence.
Too close to find anything outside yourself
When focused solely on oneself and immediate surroundings, it can be difficult to see the larger picture or possibilities that lie beyond.
Miles 'till dawn, but it feels so dark 'till then
The journey towards something positive or hopeful can seem daunting or impossible until it is finally reached.
Drowns you out, but you can't be too certain
Despite the overwhelming nature of reality, one cannot be completely detached or unemotional towards it.
And so what
Once again highlighting the insignificance of many potential worries or concerns.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL JOHN TUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind