In 2017,
Built to Spill
had the honor of serving as backing band for
Daniel Johnston
for two shows, and during rehearsals they decided to record a handful of their favorite songs to share with friends. The shows turned out well and a couple years later the trio of vocalist/guitarist
Doug Martsch
, bassist
Jason Albertini
, and drummer
Steve Gere
reconvened to work a little more on the songs to get them ready to be released.
Ernest Jenning Recording Co.
did the honors, and the finished product is a reverent tribute fitting to
Johnston
and of a piece with the group's best work. The tracks they chose to cover were mostly originally recorded by
in the '90s, though some come from later efforts like the late-career power pop gem
Is and Always Was
. Every song is a brilliant example of
's mix of shattering pathos and irresistible melodies; the band handle each one in low-key, almost relaxed style with slightly distorted guitars and a loose rhythm section backing
Martsch
's wistful vocals. He nails the openhearted, almost painfully innocent nature of
's songs without sounding like he's doing an impression. He's able to deliver lyrics as simple as those on "Honey I Sure Miss You" or "Tell Me Now" with just the right amount of feeling, tackles humor-adjacent songs like the chugging "Fake Records of Rock n Roll" without winking, and displays the same kind of plainspoken, truehearted approach throughout that
always did. To their credit,
hang back and let the songs be the star; there are no long guitar solos and only "Fake Records" has any gritty guitar overload. The restraint and love that the band show and the overall peacefulness of the music make for a lovely, warm summer day kind of album, perfect for daydreaming and pondering the timeless genius of
. ~ Tim Sendra