Carry the Zero
Built to Spill, 1999, from Keep It Like a Secret. Solo by Doug Martsch.
Martsch's interlocking leads show why Built to Spill became indie rock's model guitar band.
Carry the Zero, from Keep It Like a Secret, is a fine showcase for Doug Martsch's talent for interlocking guitar lines. Instead of one lead guitar and one rhythm part, the song weaves several melodic parts together, each adding a new layer while leaving space for the others. Martsch's phrasing is inventive and a little wobbly in the best way, drawing on classic rock soloing but filtered through indie rock's modesty. The guitars build toward a soaring climax that feels earned rather than forced. The song helped make Built to Spill indie rock's model guitar band. Listen for how the different guitar lines fit together like pieces of a puzzle, creating a rich, detailed sound.
Carry the Zero by Built to Spill is featured in our Indie (#24) list. The solo is played by Doug Martsch and the song was released in 1999.
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Who played the guitar solo on Carry the Zero?
Doug Martsch played the solo on Built to Spill's Carry the Zero (1999).