Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Artist: Death Cab For Cutie
Album: Narrow Stairs
Genre: Pop Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


I will confess that although Death Cab For Cutie has made the rounds and continues to lead certain groups I have not seen too much of them.

The first thing I noticed about this album is that the band are quite apt in producing very well structured and decent songs. I must start with "I will Possess Your Heart". A low hum starts the song and a great bass riff follows soon. Slowly drums, guitar and piano enter. This ecosystem lasts for quite some time and is quite entrancing. The vocals during the last half of the song fit a gap you didn't even notice was there. The song ends by slowly unrolling.

A second example of this comes from "Pity and Fear". A few different percussion sounds start and we dive into the main riff a lot earlier. The riff is a harmony between guitar and keyboard. The vocals fill in the small gaps in the riff and join the riff at other parts. All voices seem to flow together. They slowly build energy in the background until finally moving into a good instrumental. This energy is held right until the end with an abrupt mid-beat cut out.

Pardon the play by play but "Narrow Stairs" is a good album and not unlike an exciting sporting event between two teams you don't care about I find there is nothing to draw me back. Like that same sporting event, if you cheer for the band then this would be a win.