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Built To Spill — Life's A Dream
Album: There Is No Enemy
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2180









Released: 2009
Length: 4:50
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Miles 'till dawn
But it feels so dark 'till then
Drowns you out
But you can't be too certain

Common wants
Only fill me up with need
Everybody
In this world is just like me

So I row on

Sounds like fear
Thinking there might be a cure
Waste your life
But you don't know what it's worth

Comb your mind
For all the treasures of this earth
Too close to find
Anything outside yourself

So I row on

Life ain't nothing
But a dream
Realistic
As it seems

Destiny's vulgar
So I might as well resist
Out of the darkness
And all the secrets still exist

Finally decided
And by decide, I mean accept
I don't need all those
Other chances I won't get

So I row on

Life ain't nothing
But a dream
Realistic
As it seems
Comments (106)add comment
RP 's a Dream
Posted 5 hours ago by totobacch    [ Reply ]
 Robert.chiyoko wrote:

OUCH ... my ears hurt.
  Unfortunately ... all too often now I find myself reaching for the volume knob and even the power switch. This example and the plethora of recent "modern" stuff especially the wailing females now coming 3 and 4 in a row assaulting the senses has turned me and the wife to look elsewhere.
Sorry Bill.  GREAT  Thing going south.



You posted this a year ago. This song is now 15 years old. This is akin to comparing 1970 to 1956 musically. 
Posted 8 months ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Brilliant 8->9
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
I'm only middling for most of the song, but I do like the fuzzy guitar solo towards the end.
Posted 2 years ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
 Robert.chiyoko wrote:

OUCH ... my ears hurt.
  Unfortunately ... all too often now I find myself reaching for the volume knob and even the power switch. This example and the plethora of recent "modern" stuff especially the wailing females now coming 3 and 4 in a row assaulting the senses has turned me and the wife to look elsewhere.
Sorry Bill.  GREAT  Thing going south.



The aging process is much easier if you pay attention, stay current and engaged.  In the end, life is as good as you make it.  Fare thee well.
Posted 2 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Cranking this up tonight!  Great tune!
Posted 2 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
I keep thinking this is the Pixies.
Posted 2 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
A Doug Martsch guitar solo will cure what ails you.  Well, it does for me anyway!
Posted 2 years ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
Built to Spill - Life's a Dream
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares to U
- - - - - - - 

Smoother than a Hendrick's martini, Bill. 
Posted 2 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of a piece of music by John Erik Kaada.

EDIT: the track I'm talking about...
Posted 3 years ago by snowcone    [ Reply ]
Grant Lee Buffalo covering the Beatles? ;)
Posted 4 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Love Built To Spill ever since I heard "I Would Hurt A Fly" back in the mid-90s during the Great Indie Band Scare (a la the "Great Folk Scare of the 60's"). 
Listen here:
https://youtu.be/ygU0gLko39U
Posted 4 years ago by chuck02    [ Reply ]
Love B2S, ever since I first heard PERFECT FROM NOW ON and saw them and singer/guitar maestro Doug Martsch in concert in 2002. This track is sublime. 
Posted 4 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Lead singer sounds Neilish.
 
Not as whiney.
Posted 4 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Martsch is super cerebral.  Not everyone's cup 'o tea.    I'll feign cerebrality (see?) and ask Bill to throw in some of the new stuff from the Daniel Johnston tribute.    Thanks for digitally spinning this band. 
Posted 4 years ago by sieversfam    [ Reply ]
 Signwrtr61 wrote:

Take another bong blast, and listen more.
 
and use some quality headphones.
these guys are making sonic masterpieces!
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:
Sounds like he took guitar lessons off Hank Marvin.... simply awful...
 
Take another bong blast, and listen more.
Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
This is so mellow and tame, I wasn't sure what to expect at their live show Oct. 10 — but thank goodness, they did nothing but ROCK!
 
If CJ said it, I believe it, and that settles it!! Lol
Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
Lead singer sounds Neilish.
Posted 5 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
"Here comes the sun king"......
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Makes me think of early Beatles.
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Odd....it took BillG's splendid segue with The Chords "Sh-Boom" for me to realize what sounded so familiar in this Built to Spill tune.  I think it's pretty cool for a newer rock band to go back to the early R&R days and get inspiration.  I'm actually more interested in BtS now because of this 60+ year harkening to the early days.  Thanks again, BillG, for combining two seemingly unrelated tunes for our ears to enjoy. LONG LIVE RP!!
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Love this song !!! :-)
Posted 7 years ago by martymoose15    [ Reply ]
That's excellent!
Posted 8 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
This is so mellow and tame, I wasn't sure what to expect at their live show Oct. 10 — but thank goodness, they did nothing but ROCK!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I love the bridge in this song. Great composition and lyrics. 8.5
Posted 9 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:
Sounds like he took guitar lessons off Hank Marvin.... simply awful...

 
Most guitar players would probably consider themselves very fortunate to have taken lessons from Hank Marvin.  Many guitar heroes have expressed how they were influenced by him - obscure nobodies with names such as Clapton, Beck, Gilmour, Townshend, May, and Knopfler.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Hearing this one live at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival was amazing! I loved the Saturday Gold Stage set this year! Didn't even feel inclined to wander. 
Posted 10 years ago by DeAun    [ Reply ]
Sounds like he took guitar lessons off Hank Marvin.... simply awful...
Posted 10 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
 Jackson_Feelgood wrote:
" LA LA LA LA " - Havnt heard such dribble since The Beatles - Zero !

 
I gave this an 8 specifically because of that..
Posted 11 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]
"Destiny's vulgar,
so I might as well resist,
out of the darkness,
and all of the secrets still exists,

Finally decided,
and by decide, I mean except,
I don't need all of those,
other chances I won't get...."

Love this song, and as usual they slay it Live.
Posted 11 years ago by einsteinstoe    [ Reply ]
Great jam.
Posted 11 years ago by BobLoblaw    [ Reply ]
 dc_zee wrote:
Someone's been listening to Modest Mouse of old perhaps?

 
Lol... these guys formed before Modest Mouse.  Doug Martsch was also in a band called Treepeople for several years before Modest Mouse formed.  Both Treepeople and Built to Spill were actually huge influences on Modest Mouse.
Posted 11 years ago by winotron    [ Reply ]
Nodding my head to this awesome guitar. Great song.
Posted 12 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
I had this at a '9' because it's not my favorite BTS song, but it just got bumped to a '10'.  Some others were just turned up to '11'.  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 12 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
 sieversfam wrote:
To all those that bash this... Let that monster on the cover stare at thee with menacing glare while forcing you to listen to a Mumford & Sons "Best of" collection...ad infinitum.

 
 
Wouldn't that just be a single?
Posted 12 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
 sieversfam wrote:
To all those that bash this... Let that monster on the cover stare at thee with menacing glare while forcing you to listen to a Mumford & Sons "Best of" collection...ad infinitum.

 
 
That would be Hell on earth.
Posted 12 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
To all those that bash this... Let that monster on the cover stare at thee with menacing glare while forcing you to listen to a Mumford & Sons "Best of" collection...ad infinitum.

 
Posted 13 years ago by sieversfam    [ Reply ]
" LA LA LA LA " - Havnt heard such dribble since The Beatles - Zero !
Posted 13 years ago by Jackson_Feelgood    [ Reply ]
Fantastic album cover.
Posted 13 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
First Wilco and now Built To Spill. Is this clone John Lennon day?
 
Jeff Tweedy sounds like John Lennon?  I hope that doesn't mean that anyone who may sing with a nasal tone would qualify as a Lennon clone?

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
"Counts Neil Young among his early influences..." hmmmmhm.
Posted 13 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
The Beatles singing backup....
Posted 13 years ago by Mita    [ Reply ]
Beautifully depressing
Posted 13 years ago by heathenchild    [ Reply ]
 SAM_I_AM wrote:
This might be the only RP song I mute. I can't stand it! That voice... I don't even want to think about it. If it was never played again, it would not bother me any.
 
I started by giving it a 7.

I'm now down to a 5 with it

I'm starting to think you may have had it right all along

Posted 13 years ago by robh    [ Reply ]
Oh rather like this...it was reminding me of somebody else until Bill played the next track: Neil Young - Words (Between The Lines Of Age)
Some similarity there is think...in a good way :)
Posted 14 years ago by Weaselchops    [ Reply ]
This is good..... 
Posted 14 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
This might be the only RP song I mute. I can't stand it! That voice... I don't even want to think about it. If it was never played again, it would not bother me any.
Posted 14 years ago by SAM_I_AM    [ Reply ]
 jbwiv wrote:
Finally decided, and by decide I mean accept
I don't need all those, other chances I won't get... 

Awesome lyric, awesome song... 
 
I must agree the song is incredible...


Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Been following these guys since the early 90's.  Amazing live shows.  Doug Martsch is genius, though he has mellowed a bit from his Treepeople days, but have't we all...

Posted 14 years ago by bunos    [ Reply ]
Finally decided, and by decide I mean accept
I don't need all those, other chances I won't get... 

Awesome lyric, awesome song... 
Posted 14 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]
Straining to sound like Lennon notwithstanding, this song has a nice feel to it. I like it!
Of course, I like Lennon so I paid attention when it started and  gave it a chance.
I'll have to listen to more of the album, which is why, in a way, RP exists. Turn us on!
thanks, Bill & Rebecca &&&&&&&&&
Posted 14 years ago by Hub    [ Reply ]
Someone's been listening to Modest Mouse of old perhaps?
Posted 14 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
On the basis of hearing this album, I went to see them live in Eugene, OR while visiting progeny.  Totally different experience: (too) loud, much higher energy.
Posted 14 years ago by CalOF    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Ah, Built to Spill. Autorate 3, mute before narcolepsy sets in {#Sleep}. Nice scary dreamlike album cover, though.
 
I think my internal clock is set slow. I like the pace of this and is really pleasing. Mind you I like dub and that is generally about 60 bpm at a guess. 

Put me in a room with gabba or hardcore and after about 30 seconds I might have to kill someone.  
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
This is actually the best newer BTS song I have heard, me likey!{#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Ah, Built to Spill. Autorate 3, mute before narcolepsy sets in {#Sleep}. Nice scary dreamlike album cover, though.

 
I'm with Fred on this...again.

 2nd listen and I'll bump it up to a 6 for the guitar it the end {#Bananajam}
Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:

I want what she's having.

 
I don't have it anymore, used to have it lots.


Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
First Wilco and now Built To Spill. Is this clone John Lennon day?
Posted 14 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
i still think the guitar is great every time.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Ah, Built to Spill. Autorate 3, mute before narcolepsy sets in {#Sleep}. Nice scary dreamlike album cover, though.

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

beatlesque


Posted 14 years ago by anabel    [ Reply ]
Like most artists that have become my favorites, Built to Spill has grown on me. Enjoy them more and more after each listen.
Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
That's kind of funny.

 echoes wrote:
BP's house band

 


Posted 14 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
BP's house band

Posted 14 years ago by echoes    [ Reply ]
 Giselle62 wrote:
Have I told this true story before?
I said to my husband "If we create our own reality then why aren't I on a mountaintop swirling dervish-like with a group of women in spiritual ecstasy, instead sitting in a dirty living room watching T.V."
He just smiles and leaves the room.
Suddenly, on a music channel (which always plays reality shows, and never music anymore) there appears a scene from an 80's music video with women spinning in white dresses with their hands to the sky on a cliff overlooking the sea, swirling dervish-like in ecstasy.
 
I want what she's having.

Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Have I told this true story before?
I said to my husband "If we create our own reality then why aren't I on a mountaintop swirling dervish-like with a group of women in spiritual ecstasy, instead sitting in a dirty living room watching T.V."
He just smiles and leaves the room.
Suddenly, on a music channel (which always plays reality shows, and never music anymore) there appears a scene from an 80's music video with women spinning in white dresses with their hands to the sky on a cliff overlooking the sea, swirling dervish-like in ecstasy.
Posted 15 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Like a lost John Lennon song with subtle angst.
Posted 15 years ago by Kimberly8    [ Reply ]
The guitar work is pretty. I admit this song slowly has grown on me - though I didn't think much of it upon first hearing it.

Doubling the vocals in the recording (though largely a standard practice) is somewhat annoying to me in this instance.

But that guitar intro and solo is sure nice.
Posted 15 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
Five Ho-Hums on the trot - I'm in danger of falling asleep here, with a week's worth of sleep deficit. C'mon, RP, please be kind to this narcoleptic wage-slave and play something with a bit of zip before I collapse at my desk {#Sleep}
Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 bobcat1963 wrote:
this song is played after a Dylansong & nobody mentioned THIS Built To Spill-boy can't sing....
conclusion: everybody parrot when it comes to Mr. Dylan
 
Because this guy CAN sing. I parrot for nobody. .  .I speak how I find. . . Mr Dylan can sing - its just when he does he damages my ears.

Nice song BTW. . . 8
Posted 15 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
this song is played after a Dylansong & nobody mentioned THIS Built To Spill-boy can't sing....
conclusion: everybody parrot when it comes to Mr. Dylan


Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
beauty.
Posted 15 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
Uh, have you heard of the Beatles?
 
Definitely the "la la la la" part. Otherwise, quite original, I think.

Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Another very nice set this morning, Bill. Thanks!!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
It's Al Stewart, Year of the Cat, all done up Sgt. Pepper style.  Still working through how that sits....
Posted 15 years ago by downstreamer    [ Reply ]
 peacockangel wrote:

Denstiny's vulgar
so I might as well resist
out of the darkness
and all the secrets still exist

https://www.songlyrics.com/built-to-spill/life-s-a-dream-lyrics/

 
I would rather exist with my Denstiny than resist it, anyway. Thank you for the provenance, as well...

Posted 15 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
8 => 9
Posted 15 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
 mcYammer wrote:
"destiny's vulgar, so i might as well exist...life ain't nothing but a dream"
I think the lalalas are just poking good fun at all the emo melancholies out there
 
Denstiny's vulgar
so I might as well resist
out of the darkness
and all the secrets still exist

https://www.songlyrics.com/built-to-spill/life-s-a-dream-lyrics/

Posted 15 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
A bit like Death Cab on a Beatles trip with harder instruments.
Nothing wrong with that, people complaining avout rip-offs etc need to take a chill pill. ;)
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
the mor e  i hear this, the more i like it.!!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
...it's growing on me quickly :)
Posted 15 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
Another excellent band I discovered via RP. 
Posted 15 years ago by ericconrad    [ Reply ]
This is the first new track that I have really liked almost as much as there earlier stuff....not bad.

Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Comfy melody...
Posted 15 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
Beatles incarnated,not a bad thing though. #8.{#Smile}
Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Starting to love this band - every time I check who it is they seem to come up...
Posted 15 years ago by TobalMoreno    [ Reply ]
I needs to get me this album!!

Though this isn´t the best one i heard of it so far....

8
Posted 15 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
Some nice little sets today.  Thanks Mr. RP!
Posted 15 years ago by suebee3    [ Reply ]
My favorite from the album. Just mellow gold. {#Sunny}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
"destiny's vulgar, so i might as well exist...life ain't nothing but a dream"
I think the lalalas are just poking good fun at all the emo melancholies out there
Posted 15 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

You make a very good point! Just how many CDs have been purchased after exposure on RP? I'm guessing quite a few.

 
Why did the RIAA thugs go after internet radio?  Doesn't ANY radio exposure help the artist?

Posted 15 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
 ch83575 wrote:
Yeah, at this point the RIAA should be paying Bill, not the other way around!
 
You make a very good point! Just how many CDs have been purchased after exposure on RP? I'm guessing quite a few.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
j7 wrote:

Uh, have you heard of the Beatles?


Ditto! Nice homage, but lacks originality! Straight from the John Lennon songbook!


Posted 15 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 cathenley wrote:

Uh, who they ripping off?  I think BTS have their own sound....and they are awesome in concert by the way...
 
Uh, have you heard of the Beatles?

Posted 15 years ago by j7    [ Reply ]

I just saw BTS on 11.17.  Amazing show!


Posted 15 years ago by Hey_Now19    [ Reply ]
Not bad, but to much lalala, for me, so i give only 5!!
Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:

Just picked this up the other day, not bad. . .

 
I'm planning on doing the same. I've enjoyed these new cuts.

Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
 Valley_Boy wrote:
I am liking everything I have heard from the new CD so far...

there goes another $10 - $12 for another CD....
 
Yeah, at this point the RIAA should be paying Bill, not the other way around!
 
Posted 15 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 j7 wrote:
I really wish bands would at least make an effort to not sound like they're ripping off.
 
Uh, who they ripping off?  I think BTS have their own sound....and they are awesome in concert by the way...


Posted 15 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
I think Marsch is encapsulating the guitar noodlers' compendium of the world outside of their playing with his mellowdrama. His lyrics usually come off as sarcastic takes on idioms of cultural truths, for me.
+1 for not being so patently simple
Posted 15 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
Cool cover. Not really working for me though. Guitar is too jarring
Posted 15 years ago by handsomened    [ Reply ]

Just picked this up the other day, not bad. . .

Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
I am liking everything I have heard from the new CD so far...

there goes another $10 - $12 for another CD....
Posted 15 years ago by Valley_Boy    [ Reply ]
I really wish bands would at least make an effort to not sound like they're ripping off.
Posted 15 years ago by j7    [ Reply ]
I love mellow songs with some nice guitar in it.
Posted 15 years ago by rconlon    [ Reply ]