Transatlanticism isn't boring nor bland, in my personal opinion. I think post-Transatlanticism is when they strayed away from what drew me to them and became more cliche.
Plans and Narrow Stairs are their most popular albums and so probably their most liked by the casual fan but the older Death Cab for Cutie is by far much, much better. Plans has all of the "cliche" songs a la: Soul Meets Body, I Will Follow You Into The Dark, What Sarah Said, etc.
I've read they will return to their pre-Plans sound and I couldn't be happier.
