We're typical indie kids shunning anyone that makes it big. Although DCFC definitely cn't be classified as one now, they were an indie rock band when they started, at least until after they made Transatlanticism.

This. They lost me at Transatlanticism, and have only been decent since. The debut is still my favorite, followed by the second.

Honestly, their first couple of albums seemed good but kinda lacking something to me... cI mainly listen to everything from The Photo Album onwards, that's not to say the first two albums were bad, they werwe definitely not, but I just prefer the albums I just mentioned...

Yeah for just about any band, preferences often depend on someone's point of entry.

Old Death Cab For Cutie
 

Pre-Narrow Stairs Death Cab.. who agrees (except Bob Dylan**) Who agrees? (my guess is no one.. lol) Army Corps of Architect is a lovely song for anyone new to the old.

I'm pretty sure almost all people here who like Death Cab will agree with that...

I mean, who could prefer Narrow Stairs over Transatlanticism?

Narrow Stairs is phenomenal. I Will Possess Your Heart is the best track they've ever done. That beautifully simple baseline just floors me, with everything else building up around it for the first half of the track. Then when the vocals finally come in they're accompanied by a brief and well-placed hush, only to have everything start building up again soon, this time ending in a cacophony of sound. It gives me the chills every time I hear it.

Of course, Pity And Fear comes in at a close second. Well either that or Grapevine Fires. Both are excellent tracks.

Transatlantacism might be more consistently good than Narrow Stairs. As are Facts and Airplanes for that matter. But in a sense, they're all consistenly good because they're all the same song, played over and over and over again. Don't get me wrong, I dig the music, but it is kind of monotonous at the same time.

Narrow Stairs is their first album to have tracks that really stand out on their own. It is my favorite by a long shot.

I've only got 'Plans' and 'The Photo Album', good records both. 'Your Heart Is An Empty Room' is a genius song.

Sounds like I should try 'Narrow Stairs' next maybe?

I feel they got more monotonous and samey after We Have the Facts...

While out and about in stores recently, I've heard this song that sounds very much like newer Death Cab, but there's either slight autotune or vocoder use. I say, that can't be Death Cab...I know they're pretty much mainstream now but they wouldn't resort to that, would they?!!! It must be someone else more pop that's copping their style. Could even be a chick singer, to be honest. Anyone have a clue?

I'm not entirely sure who you could be referring to. Perhaps Owl City; though, he sounds more like Postal Service than Death Cab. His voice does sound very similar to Ben Gibbard's.

They are a band I either love or am indifferent to. I think you have to be in a certain mood to enjoy them. Their old stuff and new stuff seems very different from each other, and likewise my opinion on which I like better seems to constantly change. Plans used to be my favorite album, though I think now Something About Airplanes has taken that title.

Although Narrow Stairs seems to have gotten a lot of criticism, I find it to be a very fun, energetic album, and Open Door is a very fun EP! I'm not a big fan of Meet Me On The Equinox though.

Yeah, you're right, it's more like Postal Service since it's electronic-based. I'm sampling Owl City now...this is exactly what I was talking about. Total rip-off, and totally shitty. :rolleyes: It's such a knock-off it nearly brings Postal Service down to its level.

The Postal Service is a gazillion times better than that Owl City crud... WHEN i first heard their song I almost got excited because I thought it might be another Postal Service album.... then I realized the song was piss weak and the band totally ripped off their sound.

In short. They're crap.

I think Ben Gibbard is the greatest song-writer of my generation.

I love Gibbard to pieces, and greatly admire his work, but I dunno saying he is the greatest songwriter of our generation is a bit rich...

Death Cab and The Postal service are pretty darn awesome though, and rank amongst my most favorite bands....

Define "My Generation" before making such a statement.

"the greatest" is a term that can be used for only a very small handful of people, narrowed further by the fact that you have not heard all or even most of the song-writers from your generation. please elaborate

I think he was talking about his personal preference and may have worded the sentence a little vague.

still not the kind of thing you should say on a music forum, could lead to... banter...

http://blog.psiuppernorton.com/uploa...si%20miami.jpg

Or a fun discussion...jeez...

I don't think Ben Gibbard is deserving of the title. His lyrics often descend into the realm of the overtly maudlin, packed with twee ruminations that appeal to the emotional volitility of teenagers.

"Plans" was a fantastic album, and this was due to a distinct and fresh maturity in Gibbard's writing style. The album was sound, both lyrically and musically, and it was largely absent of that miasma of schmaltz. I was let down when "Narrow Stairs" came out, because I felt the he had returned to the same emotive garbage, something I have come to detest in Death Cab's music and Gibbards projects, by and large.

wow, i couldnt agree more. Plans is the only album that I will go back to because it comes off as having some poignancy and melody beyond ****ty metaphors and lyrics that are very pretty but are only hollow bull designed to make teenagers FEEL deep and emotional. some of transatlanactism i will group this with as well, and maybe one or two postal service songs.

So, I was listening to The Photo Album a couple nights ago and realized they cover "All is Full of Love" by Bjork! I was so excited!

Yeah I love that "All is full of Love" cover on the Photo Album... it seriously gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it... I loved the original too, but the DCFC rendering just has this edge to it I love...

Well, it didn't give me goosebumps, but I definitely yelped a little when I heard it. I was a bit disappointed in myself because I couldn't place it at first. What does give me goosebumps, and forgive me for being off topic, but Bjork's "Joga". What a beautiful song.

Many people will likely disagree with me, my own wife included, but I always thought Bjork was kinda awesome...

When did this become the Bjork thread? :/

Ummm, sorry? Death cab are great.

Their slightly overrated imho, but I still give them a listen whenever the mood arises.

I don't think they're overrated, I think that in general they get notoriety for what they do well and enough bad press for what they don't do well. I think they're on of those bands that people have perfectly pegged.

Best album for a DCFC n00b?

They're alright, nothing special in my opinion.

Don't be mean to 'em.... I hear plenty of specialness in their lyrics and melodies!

These.

I personally would say Transatlanticism. Plans is very good too, so I'd say start with the former and then listen to the latter.

For the newbie, definitely starting with either the Photo Album or Transatlanticism... probably two of their most accessible albums...

Hmm, well I've listened to We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes and Something About Aeroplanes.

I liked We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, but didn't enjoy Something About Aeroplanes as much.

I may have to try Photo Album/Transatlanticism next

Transatlanticism is definitely my favourite. Next would be Plans.

Transatlanticism is when they became boring and bland, IMO.

No way!!! That album is totally gorgeous.... both melodically and lyrically. it's still one of my all time fave albums!

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. :)