Twenty years ago, Boise’s Built to Spill recorded one of the finest indie albums in history: Keep it Like a Secret. Critical acclaim for the record was anything but. Reviewers lauded the album as a once-in-a-generation success story, and the band went on to inspire industry titans like Modest Mouse, Spoon, and Death Cab For Cutie. Even Pitchfork, known for their quick-cutting commentary and less-than-friendly reviews, ranked the album among the very best of the 90’s.
When the opportunity came to book the Keep it Like a Secret 20th-Anniversary tour, I couldn’t say no. They hadn’t played OKC in years – not to mention they’d be performing THE album in its entirety! How do you say no to a band that informed your “formative” music years? The short answer is, you don’t say no, you say yes.
Here’s my challenge to you. Give Keep it Like a Secret a listen. Whether it’s your first time or your five hundredth, I’m almost certain you’ll find it to be instantly familiar – filled to the brim with an infectious, summertime vibe. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have ordered tickets by the time track 2 begins. I hope to see you at the Keep it Like a Secret 20th-Anniversary Tour, this Monday (7/22) on our historic stage.
– Chad Whitehead