Death Cab For Cutie

I missed it far too much so just had to sign on to Napster again - the freedom it gives you to listen to things you may not choose to buy is just to good ignore. I've done little else but try to catch up on what I'd let pass by in the last 2 months, and there seems to have been some good stuff. Top of the list so far is Death Cab For Cutie's latest release Plans. I listened to their critically acclaimed 2003 album Transatlanticism quite a bit in the Spring and have recommended it freely to anyone interested in alternative pop with a mellow edge. The new album follows much in the same vein, and whilst it may not be as loved by the indie crowd as their last release it is certainly the album that will launch the band into the limelight they deserve. It is a polished and highly accomplished collection of tunes, 50% of which will have you singing out loud in no time. I predict a good few singles will come from this, not least of all the beautiful I Will Follow You Into The Dark - one of my favourite songs of the moment by any band! There are many that begrudge a cult band making it big, as if they are losing something special and made just for them, but I've never understood it. The struggle of independence can certainly colour a band's mood and creative output, but ultimately good songs and good songwriters will emerge to become exactly as big or small as they need to be. Take REM - the IRS years were great and still wonderful to look back on, but who would deny the world their biggest successes in the 90s? One band, two complimentary periods - something I see Death Cab possibly emulating, starting right here. A very good album. 8.5/10 Kx