Music Review: Plans

The Review
For some time now, Death Cab for Cutie has easily been my favorite band. I was one of the few who did not discover them on The O.C. although I admit that I first downloaded their albums only weeks before I saw my first episode of the pop culture phenomenon (and under-appreciated proponent of indie rock). Their fourth studio album, Transatlanticsm, captivated me from the first moment that it played over the headphones from my iPod and has now taken its place as my favorite album of my entire music collection. However, I was unsure of what to expect from their latest effort, Plans, because the band decided to ink a contract with a major record company, leaving their long-time indie label Barsuk in the dust. I was not alone because this move worried many longtime fans of the band because many of those bands who made the jump before them (Nada Surf, Nirvana, etc.) saw a plague of overproduction mar the later records. I admit that I shared these concerns because much of the appeal that Death Cab's music holds for me is tied to its soft, raw beauty. Fortunately, my concern were proved invalid with yet another strikingly strong outing this time around.

The general atmosphere of the album remains true to Death Cab's past, while at the same time moving in a distinctly different and fresh direction. Each of Death Cab's album have had a slightly distinctive feel that separates it from the others. For Transatlanticism, there was a soft, acoustic, and beautifully sorrowful attitude that permeated the album from beginning to end. On the other hand, The Photo Album featured a slightly edgier and much more raw tone that characterized nearly every song on the record. Plans departs from these previous trends and takes on a newer, more diverse feel. The song selection carries with it a much greater range than any previous record with the possible exception of The Photo Album. From the hauntingly soft and beautifully acoustic nature of "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" to the powerful, driving pop song "Soul Meets Body", each track carries with it a notably different tone than that which preceded it.

Closing Comments
I love the entire musical catalogue of Death Cab for Cutie, and this album is no exception. It is a strong, valid addition to an already magnificent collection of songs and confirms the belief that Death Cab won't abandon their individuality when tempted with more money. Compared to Transatlanticsm, this effort is a step down in quality, but that could also be a product of my unabashed adulation for their fourth album. Nevertheless, it is a genuinely fantastic album that sets the stage for even greater things to come.

Scores
1. Marching Bands of Manhattan - A perfect opening track with gorgeous lyrics ("Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole /just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound /but while you debate half empty or half full /it slowly rises your love is gonna drown") and a strikingly consistent beat. - 10/10
2. Soul Meets Body - The first single off of the album is a very good song with yet another wonderful chorus. However, it may be slightly too poppy to be counted among Death Cab's best. - 8/10
3. Summer Skin - A soft, graceful ballad about a summer gone by. Instantly accessible and peacefully quiet. - 7/10
4. Different Names For The Same Thing - Not among the best on the album, but still good. Won't be playing it on repeat anytime soon. - 6/10
5. I Will Follow You Into The Dark - A acoustic lyrical masterpiece that easily ranks among the best of Death Cab's entire collection. If you download one song off this album, let this be it. - 10/10
6. Your Heart Is An Empty Room - Another typical slow and methodical Death Cab song with no particularly outstanding qualities. - 7/10
7. Someday You Will Be Loved - One of the best of the album, which tells the story of a one-night stand gone bad. Reeks of longing and loneliness. - 9/10
8. Crooked Teeth - Another song that is sure to rank among the best of the album as the dust settles in the future. Vivid lyrical imagery and a more upbeat tone characterize this song. - 9/10
9. What Sarah Said - The third excellent song in a row. I have not heard lyrics this resonant and realistic since "Title and Registration" from Transatlanticism. - 9/10
10. Brothers On A Hotel Bed - The song title is a brilliant metaphor, and the rest of the song is in the same vein of the other soft songs on the album. - 8/10
11. Stable Song - A remake of the old Death Cab song called Stability, this is a typical and appropriate closer for a Death Cab Album - 8/10

Overall: 9.1 out of 10 (Highly Recommended)

Death Cab for Cutie's Official Website: Link