Show Review: Built to Spill & The Boggs

[Music] I arrived at The Depot Saturday night [July 21] admittedly knowing and expecting very little of the opening Brooklyn-based band, The Boggs. As the five of them came on stage, they offered little hint of what type of sounds they might emit. Definitely a diverse group, their styles ranged from pinstriped slacks with suspenders to jeans and a flannel shirt. Once they started playing with the driving bass line, scattered keyboards and two drummers, I was forced to pay attention.

Their music was almost as diverse as they were, ranging from noisy post-punk rock to sweet mellow pop. Most of the cuts played in their short set were from their third and latest release, Forts, standouts being “Arm in Arm” and “Remember the Orphans” (my personal favorite of the evening). The audience seemed to be captivated by the performance. It was not solely due to the music: I have to make mention of frontman Jason Friedman’s awkward and frenetic dancing. Even though it was at times funny and distracting, I think overall it added to the appeal of the show. In short, I quite liked it—so much so that I may just have to invest in some of their music.

At first it seemed the stars were set against Built to Spill playing Salt Lake City. There were auto problems causing them to arrive late, and once finally onstage, there were technical difficulties. Doug Martsch was visibly irritated and I began to fear the worst. Then Doug worked some magic with a screwdriver and all was right in The Depot.

They opened with “Liar” from their album You in Reverse, which was enthusiastically received by the crowd. At one point Doug proclaimed that the show would be “more instrumental than usual” and that it was. It meant hearing less of his unique but loved voice and more seeing him with his eyes closed and brow knit, seemingly somewhere else, as he brilliantly manipulated the guitar.

The audience didn’t seem to mind and many hypnotic favorites were played including “Time Trap,” “Strange,” “Car,” “Wherever You Go” and “You Were Right.” The encore had some members of the Boggs helping out on an extended version of “Randy Describes Eternity” ending the nearly two-hour set with lingering feedback and reverb. As Built to Spill shows go, it turned out to be another excellent one. (Emily Jeskie)

Emily Jeskie hosts Mix Tape on KRCL 90.9 FM, Wednesday nights, 8:30-10:30 p.m.