Reading some quotes from Doug Martsch, frontman of Built to Spill, I can’t help but think that his speeches and promises are no different than other leading musicians — empty promises.

“I was convinced the American people wanted something new and different,” said Martsch in Beloit, WI, while explaining the announcement of his upcoming tour. “They didn’t want an announcement that was about tearing each other down. They wanted an announcement that was about lifting the country up. They were tired — you were tired of spin and PR and negative attacks instead of straight talk and honesty and offering practical solutions to our problems. The American people want change.”

What kind of change is he talking about? Just put any person onstage, and we’d be just fine. Change our album release policies? We’ve been doing that a lot in the past few months. Change touring policies? New touring policies are made and old policies are modified everyday as the geomusical climate changes. What “change” is Martsch talking about?

Built to Spill have scheduled some dates, including a performance of Perfect From Now On in its entirety at New York’s ATP Fest, as we previously reported (TMT News), as well as a pre-ATP performance of the album, as reported by Pitchfork.

05.23.08 - Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater 05.24.08 - Garden City, ID - Visual Arts Center 05.26.08 - George, WA - The Gorge - Sasquatch Fest 06.06.08 - Lawrence, KS - Wakarusa Festival 06.07.08 - Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze (outdoor stage) 07.03.08 - Quincy, CA - High Sierra Festival 09.12.08 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy and Harriet’s 09.19.08 - Monticello, NY - Kutsher’s Country Club - ATP Fest