Top 31 of 2006: #26

Built to Spill: "You In Reverse"
Released: April 11, 2006

Five years. In the five years that it took Built to Spill to release "You In Reverse," a lot of things happened. The 9/11 attacks, the war in Iraq, the reelection of George W. Bush, the No Child Left Behind Act. Lots and lots of things happened in this country, and Built to Spill chose to write their songs on subjects completely unrelated to the ongoing affairs of the United States. Thank God! It seems like every band in the world has to release at least one song about how they should be President and how gay people should marry, how we should hug Osama Bin Laden, or how they "hope (Bush's) drunken daughters are gay!" (a direct quote from Stars' 2005 album). So on that note, you have to give it up to Built to Spill. Do they care about these subjects? I'm sure they do. But having been around as long as they have, I'm sure they know that the fans don't care about their political opinions, they care about great music. And Built to Spill makes great music. Leave the self-indulgent politicized songs to other ancient, dying rock acts like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Built to Spill is old, but they're mature enough to know that sometimes it needs to just be about the music. While "You In Reverse" might not be their best album, it's good to know that they did what they do best; make great rock music!

For keeping it real, Built to Spill makes it to #26. Here's hoping the next album doesn't take half a decade!

Top 31 Songs of 2006: # 26
Tilly and the Wall - "Bad Education" from the album Bottoms of Barrels