Reviews

Never before has Atlantic Records given such a good excuse to listen to music. Not since “The Photo Album” has the sincerity and contagious thrill of Death Cab For Cutie’s take on indie rock been so valid. “Plans” is nearly awe inspiring in its comfort and allure, its only frailty being the cause of its greatness; its delicacy.
 
Opening up with “Marching Bands of Manhattan,” Benjamin Gibbard continues to out do himself lyrically, gently easing into the depth and uncertainty of this album by exploring human relations and uncertainty with lyrics like “And it is true what you said: I live like a hermit in my own head, but when the sun shines again I’ll pull the curtains and blinds to let the light in.” Picking up the pace and adding in soft, rightfully placed harmony on top of a featured trumpet is “Soul Meets Body.” I can’t pick a favorite track on this album because each song is very much its own, shedding light into human conditions we weren’t sure we even had.  Another notable tune includes “Different Names For The Same Thing,” an unusual piano ballad about travel which toys with percussion in some surprisingly interesting ways. I can imagine that some of these songs were written on tour because the subject matter makes me homesick.
 
The artwork is minimal yet intrusive, which is a recurring theme with Death Cab For Cutie. “Plans” is the perfect record for anyone who loved “The Photo Album,” or anyone who just loves indie rock so much. It’s perfect even for those of you who act too tough yet secretly find themselves humming along to Death Cab’s catchy songs. “Plans” is a lesson in talent, thoughtfulness and humility.  It is bliss. For those of you who live underneath a punk rock (get it?), I suppose you could compare Death Cab For Cutie to Belle and Sebastian and Nightmare of You but I hate making comparisons like that so just go get the record, close your eyes and listen to the music for what it is, not whomever else it might sound like.