Additional personnel: Brett Netson (guitar); Sam Coomes (keyboards).

Recorded at Avast! and Bear Creek, Washington; The Manhouse, Idaho.

Personnel: Doug Martsch (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Brett Netson (guitar, hi-hat); Sam Coomes (keyboards); Scott Plouf (drums, percussion); Brett Nelson (drums).

Audio Mixer: Sheldon Zaharko.

Recording information: Avast!, WA (2000); Bear Creek, WA (2000); The Manhouse, ID (2000).

Photographer: Tae Won Yu.

Built To Spill abandoned any strictly lo-fi leanings long before ANCIENT MELODIES OF THE FUTURE, the band's fifth full-length release, but it is with this album that the trio's near-perfect balance of indie- (almost math-) rock and surprisingly irresistible pop hooks hits stride for a full, satisfying LP. ANCIENT MELODIES OF THE FUTURE retains the line-up of Doug Martsch, bassist Brett Nelson, and drummer Scott Piouf for a third go around, and the consistency has paid off for the most level album of their career. From tracks like the insistent opening track "Strange" to the meanderingly beautiful "The Weather," the album flat mesmerizes.

People forget that these Idahoans would be just as at home on classic rock radio as on the college playlists they occupied throughout the '90s. Built To Spill draws from the subtly complex Eastern sounds of RUBBER SOUL-era Beatles and the most enchanting excesses of the Doors at their best, while singer Martsch unfurls the most charming whine since Neil Young's heyday. What's more, with their eccentric sound, the band has managed four releases on a major label, attracting new fans while managing to retain their credibility within the indie world, which is no mean feat.