Something different. That was what I thought when I heard the new Death Cab for Cutie album Narrow Stairs. With this being their sixth full length album, Narrow Stairs went in different direction than any of Death Cab’s other five albums since 1998.
There are eleven tracks on Narrow Stairs and each one a little different from the one before it, the band is still keeping the theme they have always had; with talking about love and “possessing hearts”. But no Death Cab album can be complete with that break up song or that song that helps you get through that brake up, which on this album is number six on the album “you can do better than me”, in this track Gibbard sings about fearing the relationship will end and he will never do better than her, but she on the other hand can do better than him. Sad, but that is what makes Death Cab for Cutie a loveable band, they sinf those songs they get you through those hard times of love.
What makes this album different is most of these song are not as “computerized” as their other songs. Most of these songs consist of just piano, guitar, bass, drums-the basics I guess. What is also different that some of their songs have about a minute to two minute of just melody with no words. A little different from what Death Cab usually does, but not a bad thing in the least.
Overall, the new album is very upbeat and still has those songs that make you smile and makes you cry, but even though they might be the same type of lyrics, the melodies and music itself is more natural. Not as slow and mellow as Plans or Transatlanticism, more vivacious and chirpy. A good change for Death Cab, a positive one, one that I think fans will grow to love as much as they have the others.
Peace.Love.Music
