Listen to Death Cab For Cutie Narrow Stairs

UPDATE: Thanks to Sam, check out this interview on NPR’s Bryant Park Project with Death Cab. Enjoy, and thanks be to Sam!

This album is complex. Expect it to last. It’s going to take multiple listens to appreciate how good it really is. It think it could be in the running for best disc of 2008 (big statement…I know).

Tracks range from the classic “Photo Album” feel (No Sunlight, Bixby Canyon Bridge) to a sound similar to the Beatles (You Can Do Better Than Me) to the Transantlanticism “Passenger Seat” sound (Grapevine Fires) to an even slightly southern sound (Your New Twin Size Bed).

It’s just really good. The tracks tell a story. The disc starts dark and maybe even a bit angry. Towards the middle, things seem to relax…as if the disc has gotten over a stressful event. Around track 9, it picks back up–but I feel like it’s a bit more pessimistic and dark lyrically…it reminds me a bit of “A Movie Script Ending” off “Photo Album.”

Lyrically, it’s Gibbard’s same honest, raw style. “Pity and Fear” starts with the line

I have such an envy, of this stranger lying next to me

If you hated Plans, you’ll love this. If you loved Plans, you should still love this. If you loved Photo Album, I think you’ll like this. If you loved Transatlanticism, you’ll definitely love this.

Go buy the mp3 album Narrow Stairs for $9.99, DRM free at 256KPBS at amazon.com.

I’m having a hard time figuring out what song to post here…but I’ve chosen the intro because I think that says so much about an album, “Bixby Canyon” and I’ve chosen “Pity and Fear” because it’s dark, and intricate, and awesome.

And I love how long most of these songs are, that’s one thing they do so well. They have an incredible ability to make long songs that continue to be interesting.

Listen!

Bixby Canyon:

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Pity and Fear:

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