Who? Boise, ID-born Built to Spill, the brainchild of Doug Martsch, known for its wiggling electric guitars, cascading crescendos, and freakout riffage in addition to Martsch's squawking wail.

What? A 16-date nationwide outing performing the band's seminal album, 1997's Phil Ek-produced Perfect from Now On, kicking off proper-like Sept. 8 with a pair of gigs San Francisco. Back-to-back appearances in Los Angeles will follow before the band heads east for string of shows, including two-night stands in Philadelphia and New York.

Should I go? By all means, yes! The eight, wildly spastic tracks off Perfect from Now On are, well, nearly perfect from downcast, sliding six-string glimmers to supernova-like, colorful bursts. Plus, as guitarist Brett Netson told SPIN.com backstage at Sasquatch! '08, Built to Spill will be road-testing new tunes live, dialing in the last notes before the release of their yet-to-be titled new album, out in spring '09.

Built to Spill Perfect From Now On tour dates:

9/8, San Francisco, CA (Slim's) *
9/9, San Francisco, CA (Slim's) *
9/10, Hollywood, CA (Troubadour) *
9/11, Hollywood, CA (Troubadour) *
9/12, Pioneertown, CA (Pappy and Harriet's) *#
9/17, New Haven, CT (Toad's Place) *
9/18, Northampton, MA (Calvin Theater) *
9/19, Monticello, NY (ATP New York) *
9/20, Philadelphia, PA (The Trocadero) *
9/21, Philadelphia, PA (The Trocadero) *
9/22, Richmond, VA (The National) *
9/23, Washington, DC (9:30 Club) *
9/24, Baltimore, MD (Rams Head Live) *
9/25, New York, NY (Terminal 5) *%
9/26, New York, NY (Terminal 5) *%
9/27, Boston, MA (Orpheum Theatre) *

(* performing Perfect From Now On)
(# w/ Camper Van Beethoven)
(% w/ Dinosaur Jr., Meat Puppets)

By William Goodman