Perfect From Now On is a startling change of pace for this former boyish pop band. Gone are the days of happy rock and roll, songs about childhood, and the prepubescent love aura former Built to Spill records have possessed.

Since 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love, the band's crossed over to the corporate dark side from Seattle's glorious Up! Records, and there's something very creepy about the new record.

If you're a BTS fan, you're used to two-minute-long melodies with goofy lyrics. But the songs are closer in length now to classic Neil Young than Guided By Voices and the songs are unsettlingly pessimistic and sad.

Also, the lyrics are stark and genius ("There's a mean bone in my body.../ And I won't take that from you.../ 'Cause I would hurt a fly.") and the songs are so well put together that it's kind of amazing.

Scott Plouf, famed Seattle drummer (formerly of The Spinanes) officially joined Built To Spill after plans to tour with Beck fell through. It was kind of a blessing in disguise because it's one of the few instances where I've heard drums really add a new element to a band.

The band has had some bad luck in the past (in fact, they recorded this album three times before getting it right), but judging from the sound of the new record, it looks like things could be perfect from now on.

-Ryan Schreiber