Indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie once again fail to disappoint with their newest album, “Narrow Stairs.”
The band’s sixth full-length album, “Narrow Stairs” takes a slightly different approach than its predecessors, taking on a heavier, more upbeat musical style.
The best example of the band’s new sound can be heard in the first single, “I Will Possess Your Heart,” a song that would be sure to possess your CD player once hearing. The eight and a half minute song begins with a four-minute instrumental intro, featuring one of the catchiest bass lines I have heard all year. Although the song is rather simple and repetitive, it certainly is catchy, and sure to be a fan favorite.
Another highlight on the album is the track “Cath…” The song, which inmy opinion is a no-brainer choice for the next single, is a very uplifting song, a very different sound than that on the band’s previous album “Plans.”
Long-term fans of Death Cab will listen to “Cath…” and instantly be reminded of the band’s earlier work, most notably their third album, “The Photo Album.”
Although their prior release “Plans” was a very successful and enjoyable album, it was also very moody and depressing. It was soothing to hear the band return to their happy ways, and spill out one of the best albums of the summer.
The eleven track album closes with one of its best songs, “The Ice is Getting Thinner.” The mellow yet beautiful song consists of nothing more than front man Ben Gibbard and his guitar, singing the tale of a former relationship about to hit rock bottom.
Gibbard sings on with a sense of sadness in his voice: “We’re not the same dear as we used to be/ the seasons have changed and so have we/ there was little we could say and even less we could do/ to stop the ice from getting thinner under me and you.”
While it might take a few listens to get into, “Narrow Stairs” is without a doubt an incredible album, and possibly the most enjoyable rock albums of the summer. Unless, of course, Weezer’s upcoming release blows us all out of the water.
Leave a Reply