Death Cab for Cutie = One damn good band.

The day has come... the new Death Cab for Cutie album hits stores tomorrow! The album is called Narrow Stairs and I was ecstatic when I received an early copy of it in the mail right before the weekend. Let me tell you, this album does not disappoint. I feel like their last album, Plans, was a little too polished and over-produced, compared to the band's earlier releases. I'm sure this was due to the pressure that comes with releasing a major-label debut, because band member Chris Walla produced this album (along with all the other Death Cab albums). Credit must be given to the fact that Plans helped Death Cab for Cutie break into the mainstream. They went from a college band with a loyal following, to a band that was at the top of the charts at many radio stations throughout the country, and they didn't seem to lose any of their loyal fans along the way. Regardless, it's nice to see the band is back to their original sound on Narrow Stairs.

The thing I love about the new album, is that the band knows they have made it... they don't have to try any more to be something they're not. Every song is stretched to its potential, patiently building to a high point, that is well worth the wait once you get there. The single, "I Will Possess Your Heart," is 8 minutes and 25 seconds on the album and appears as the second track (the song was cut down to the 4 minute range as a radio edit). The build is incredible. Ben Gibbard doesn't actually start singing until well into 4 minutes. The instrumentation layers itself gradually and when Ben Gibbard starts to sing, it's just about perfect. Another one of my favorites on the album is "Cath." Even the opening guitar line has a strong hook. This is something the band has only become better at over time- catchy melodies, that never come off as sounding corny or too predictable.

One thing I've always loved about the band is that Gibbard doesn't try and hide his lyrics behind a wall of sound. He's a story teller and has a vulnerability to his songwriting, that might come across as kitchy to some and relatable to others. There is a short, two minute song on the album called "You Can Do Better Than Me." The lyrics are straightforward right from the start: I'm starting to feel, we stay together out of fear, of dying alone. He's always had an approach to his lyrics, which rests on both ends of the spectrum- confrontational lines mixed with genius metaphors. This one is a little bit more confrontational. The song ends with a display of Gibbard's vulnerability: There's times I think of leaving/But it's something I'll never do/'Cause you can do better than me/But I can't do better than you.

Death Cab for Cutie continue their streak of being a quintessential soundtrack for 20-somethings on Narrow Stairs. At the same time, I guarantee you will find atleast one song that hits home, regardless of age. If you are a new listener and haven't heard a lot of material from the band, this could actually be a good album to start with. It's one of their most melodic, but doesn't lack the creativity and patience that some have criticized their major-label debut for.

In conclusion (wow, this ended up being a much longer review than I expected), Death Cab for Cutie is one damn good band. Buy their new album.