I know this is major-label, but I feel like it fits better here. What do you all think of it? I like the overall aesthetic, but I'm really bummed out by the actual songs themselves. They simply aren't as catchy or as fully formed as songs like "Marching Bands of Manhattan." Overall, it feels like they're drifting a little bit.

L.R., did you mean to put this in rock or did it get moved here? Either way, it should probably be in alternative if it can't go in indie rock, don't you think? (Since Alternative is home to threads on Radiohead, Wilco, Coldplay, Beck, P.J. Harvey, et al.)

Anyway, I've been pleasantly surprised by Narrow Stairs. It's much better than I expected and definitely better than Plans. Not as good as Transatlanticism however, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless. It's strange to start off with two extremely long songs and then have the rest of the songs be significantly shorter, but even the longer songs are pretty good. I need to listen to it more before I start picking out favorite songs, but I'm definitely glad I bought it.

Well that about says it, doesn't it? No need to even listen to it then, as I've had my fill of emo-twinged vanilla rock for the decade. If it's not as good as Transatlanticism, I can only assume it doesn't hold a candle to Give Up (side project of Gibbard). I just don't know what to think about that, having not heard the album. Is it just another album destined to be consigned to coochie-coo Cab fan's sub-pantheon of sob-rock, or do I have something to investigate here?

Solid little piece of work, but won't change any minds. It'll just be some more music for Gibbard's already-converted.

i am not going to make this album out to be some sort of masterpiece, but that being said, you should probably listen to this album. better than most of death cab's back catalog, "narrow stairs" is a solid, at times inventive, pop album. songs like the first track, make apparent that this album is attempting to push the band's musical capabilities beyond what we all suffered through on "plans". not a complete and radical change, but just enough to actually make them relevant once again (critically). long division is probably my favorite track off of the album (reminds me a bit of pinback).

quote:

Originally posted by blueskyoas:
L.R., did you mean to put this in rock or did it get moved here? Either way, it should probably be in alternative if it can't go in indie rock, don't you think?

It's on a major label (Atlantic) and our site (on the album's page) has it listed as Rock, hence why I moved it here.

Should at least go in Alternative, shouldn't it?

Having listened to this album.. I'd say its sub-par for Death Cab and not really worth much listening to.

I'm the exact opposite from the previous post...

I think this is the best album DC has put out so far. "Bixby Canyon Bridge" is the best opener to a DC album so far, and "I Will Possess Your Heart" is an amazing follow up.

"No Sunlight" and "Cath..." are both very replayable, and then comes the dud: "Talking Bird". From there on out, the album is super-solid.
"Grapevine Fires" is my favorite track on the album...I love the lyrics, the tune, everything.

"You Can Do Better than Me" is a great short-ditty and "Your New Twin Sized Bed" is a fun one to hear. The last couple tracks are vintage DC, they aren't bad, not great either, but considering the last couple albums were filled with those types of songs, this album is an improvement in that respect.

Better sound, edgier, the best to date.