Death Cab For Cutie
“Transatlanticism”
(Barsuk)
This band specializes in making you feel sad, and then making you feel good about the fact that you are feeling sad. Death Cab For Cutie creates that brand of indie rock that feels so self-exposing. Both from the listener and performer standpoints. Songs as dramatic as these most certainly tug the heartstrings of memory. Or maybe I’m just a sap. So then, I suspect are a lot of people, since this band does no wrong.
“Transatlanticism” shows the band providing their brand of dreamy indie rock in great form. Some chances are even taken with the programmed drum track for “Title and Registration” which adds a low-fi vibe to the number. This shows the bands willingness to go for a certain feel for each song, rather than mine a working formula repeatedly (which seems the be shortcoming of similar shoegazer indie rock). Even though the tempos are generally sluggish, and songs tend to work on just one idea thoroughly, Death Cab For Cutie put enough personality and presence into each number to make this album a diverse listen. Since the music is very clean, the lyrics stand exposed. Singer-Guitarist Ben Gibbard crafts some true poetry.
Nothing too heady, but relatable confusions and observations, Gibbard lets you into his world. And there is hope in that beautiful misery.
