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Keep It Like A Secret
by
Keep It Like A Secret Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

  • Summary: This second major-label release from Doug Martsch and company (following 'Perfect From Now On') features shorter, cleaner-sounding songs than that previous release.

Top Track

Carry the Zero
I'm not knocking your want to carry that home Took it with you when you moved and got it broke Found the pieces, we counted them all alone Didn't add... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Austin Chronicle
    100
    The last album's title ['Perfect From Now On'] was a promise; this one makes good on it.
  2. Pitchfork
    93
    Recalls last year's fine Halo Benders release, The Rebels Not In, the album Martsch recorded with Beat Happening's Calvin Johnson and former Spinanes and current Built to Spill drummer Scott Plouf. And that's not a bad thing at all.
  3. Ink Blot Magazine
    90
    Perhaps the secret they're trying to keep here is that Built To Spill quite frankly write some of the most original, interesting and catchy pop songs you'll ever hear.
  4. Almost Cool
    80
    It's sort of a cross between the epic masterpieces of Perfect From Now On and the shorter, more pop songs of There's Nothing Wrong With Love. Basically, it's another winner from the group.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Built to Spill make music with a weird naive excitement that recalls R.E.M. at their fresh-out-of-Athens finest.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    Keep It Like a Secret is tightly wound clang, effectively understated in spots.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Built To Spill sound as if they're trying too hard, and ultimately both The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev do this sort of thing with far more panache.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. BobDole
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    why the heck isn't the rating for this album higher? amazing.
  2. yaright
    Jan 10, 2005
    10
    one of the best records of the 90s in my opinion. sounds alot like their first great record theres nothing wrong with love. simply amazing!!
  4. builttospilt
    Apr 30, 2015
    10
    One of the greatest albums of all time. Equally as good as PFNO. Every song is brilliant. Carry the Zero, Time Trap, and Else are simplyOne of the greatest albums of all time. Equally as good as PFNO. Every song is brilliant. Carry the Zero, Time Trap, and Else are simply godly. It still blows my mind how good this album is. Some bands are lucky enough to create a timeless, masterpiece album. Some truly exceptional bands have made more than one of these albums. Built to Spill is one of them.… Expand
  5. [Anonymous]
    Nov 20, 2005
    10
    best cd and yet it didn't receive a high rating. o well i dont want them to go mainstream and sell out so its ok that ppl dont like them.
  6. Dave
    Feb 7, 2007
    10
    Truly an outstanding, fully realized, elegant recording. Perhaps the best ever "indie-pop-rock" album. The lower meta score is a bit Truly an outstanding, fully realized, elegant recording. Perhaps the best ever "indie-pop-rock" album. The lower meta score is a bit perplexing. I notice that White Stripes' Elephant and TV's Return to Cookie Mountain have very high scores; I have and enjoy both of those records and do not really understand why this BTS record was not as widely acclaimed. Perhaps critics prefer the edgy punk-metal sound of Elephant or the unusual new sound of Cookie Mountain. Keep It Like A Secret is no less creative, complex, brilliant and moving than those two records, or anything else out there for that matter. Highly recommended!… Expand
  7. j30
    Aug 19, 2013
    10
    It is nice to know good rock music was being made during a time of laughably bad, rap/rock music (Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, etc). Built ToIt is nice to know good rock music was being made during a time of laughably bad, rap/rock music (Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, etc). Built To Spill's 1999 gem "Keep It Like A Secret" is an essential indie rock album and one of the best rock albums to come out that year.… Expand
  8. deadbank
    Mar 8, 2019
    6
    While I certainly wouldn't say this is a bad record, there's hardly any memorable moments on it. I sure can't think of one, and I justWhile I certainly wouldn't say this is a bad record, there's hardly any memorable moments on it. I sure can't think of one, and I just listened to the thing.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 1999
7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 1999
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 1999

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