Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Written by dushey on May 14, 2008 – 1:40 am

Death Cab For Cutie - Bixby Canyon Bridge

Normally I would try and follow my format of “Why I like it, and why I don’t” when reviewing any album. Problem is, Death Cab For Cutie haven’t put out just any old album. After thinking they couldn’t get any better after ‘Transatlanticism’ they followed with ‘Plans” and within the first 30 seconds of Narrow Stairs, I am wrong. Completely wrong.

This record is good. Seriously good. Even though I’m only 4 songs into it as I write this, I would venture to say that it’s the best record DCFC has put out, ever. And I wasn’t a ‘Cutie’ fan always. I still can’t understand ‘The Photo Album’ or ‘You can learn to play these songs with chords.’ The vibe isn’t there for me in past records, even though Ben Gibbards most distinctive voice is.

The production is super simple, and the songs are well written. Where as previously within a Death Cab record, you might be searching for poetic meaning, and trying to figure out what Ben was getting at, now he seems a little more up front, and honest with his lyrics. If you are a Death Cab fan, you probably have this record, and if you don’t, go get it. You can also catch them on tour all over the country this summer with Rogue Wave, or Tegan and Sara. Can’t wait til they come to Berkley, CA in June. Yay!