Built To Spill Looking At Spring 2006 For New Album

Technical delays pushed back the release of Built To Spill's new album, but frontman Doug Martsch now says it may hit stores next spring.

The project, originally expected in the fall, does not yet have a title. Billboard.com reports the band have recorded about 15 or 16 songs and Martsch said he thought he knew which 10 would make it onto the record. That all may change, however.

"Now, we have time to revisit a few of those other songs to see if there might be something worth working with," he said.

Built To Spill have been taking time off since the disappointing reception of their 2001 album, Ancient Melodies Of The Future.

"Taking a little time off makes it more exciting to come back to," Martsch said.

The band's debut, Ultimate Alternative Wavers, was released in 1993. The upcoming record will be BTS' first album not to be produced by Phil Ek. Martsch described the change as wanting "to try something new to spark us to do something different."

The new release will also mark the first time Jim Roth, who has performed live with Built To Spill for years, plays on a BTS LP. In addition, Martsch's favourite guitarist, Brett Netson from Costic Resin, has occasionally played live with Built To Spill for performances of the new song "Going Against Your Mind."

Built To Spill will be touring North America this summer. They will stop in Canada on June 18 to play Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom.