When the Pixies reformed in 2004 they played a few shows with Death Cab For Cutie opening.

One of those shows was in Oregon at The Les Schwab Amphitheater. Luckily, I just scored one the posters for that show. Check It Out.

Pixies with Death Cab For Cutie Poster

This Pixies Poster is available at Amazon and at Concert Poster.org

Its become tradition that for every musical artist’s new album, there is an accompanying piece of cover art; and while it’s visibility has diminished in an age of all-digital downloads, there is still as much artistry to be found here as there ever has been.

While most albums don’t have the iconic imagery of Dark Side of the Moon, or Abby Road, there’s no doubt that bands are still shooting for that standard.  It’s a great task to capture the mood of an entire musical venture in any visual medium, especially when the same image has the even more difficult task of becoming a successful marketing tool.  But this is the fate of the commercial artist. Below are some of the more successful ventures into this complex melding of representational art and commercialism.

Muse – Absolution

This surrealist photography is not just thought provoking, but visually interesting.  While I’m not certain it well represents the album, it definitely defines the attitude of the band and its small but rabid collection of fans.  Like so many bands these days, Muse fans like to tout the idea that their band cuts against the grain, and many see them as a “love it or hate it” kind of band.  For Muse, this martyrdom is well represented in the image of an endless number of individuals seen as nothing but mass-less shadows all moving 2-dimentionally in the same direction. With one single individual who stands in three dimensions, watching them pass by.

Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs

This abstract, non-representational art may not be the most easily accessible album cover, but it perfectly encapsulates the mood of the album Narrow Stairs as well as the band Death Cab for Cutie as a whole. Their music is typically quiet and understated, yet their lyrics, instruments, and  tone often seem to clash with one another leading to a brash and chaotic collection of songs which range from sweet and calm to quite disturbed.  The albums main single, I Will Possess Your Heart is a perfect example of this, with a long hypnotic instrumental opening.  Gradually the tempo rises as the built up tension rises inside of the narrator of the song, returning to softness once we reach the first lyrics.

Coldplay – Viva la Vida

The much acclaimed recent album by Coldplay does something with its cover art which is rarely seen these days. A technique typically reserved for orchestral albums, the band decided on using a well-known piece of French art to represent Viva la Vida. This image of violent revolution is from Eugène Delacroix’s 1830 painting Liberty Leading the People.  With a mountain of bodies as her pedestal, Liberty stands triumphant as a symbol for the people over the state.  This is the perfect image for the bands title track Viva la Vida which is, coincidentally, about revolution against an individual of once great power. The song includes a deal of historical and religious references which add to the classical mood.

Of course, these are just a few of my personal favorites.  Feel free to suggest any additions in the comment section below.

All images taken from Wikipedia.

The other day someone came up to me and asked about the continuing fire situation in the southern California area. “It looks like the end of the world,” they told me and were then shocked when I wasn’t shocked by that statement. They asked me if it was still going on, if the fires were still burning, and they asked this as if I knew the answer. Being primarily a still a Californian deep down in my weird little DNA, I’ll constantly let people know where I’m from (in case it’s not obviously and readily apparent why I’m better than them on a variety of levels), but it’s a double edged sword in that I’m expected to have an answer everytime some new weird or stupid piece of news comes out of the Golden State.

So, my answer to this question about the fires was simply: “I don’t know.”  Then the question came: You know a lot of people there, right? Wouldn’t they know from the constant smoke in the distance? Me: “If you live in LA, or spend signifigant time there, I think you make a kind of peace with a lot of things there being perpetually fucked up. The air, especially.” This answer only prompted confusion.

So I attempted a clarification: “Listen, here’s the thing about how people in California operate: Unless your house is on fire, or you’re personally bein evacuated, or it’s fucking up some sex you’re trying to get or, I don’t know, your pot delivery, or something, you don’t really care about a whole lot of other people’s tragedy.”

That’s of course both true and not true. Californians are not that soulless, not really. On the surface, maybe, but deep down… they’re primarily still human beings. Don’t ask me for evidence of their humanity, but just take my word for it, okay? And if you don’t, I’m sure someone will come along soon enough to make a movie with heart that proves me right. But recently, I saw someone put the situation best: “Because the world is always ending in Los Angeles, we are not necessarily surprised when it does. We are also not surprised when the world keeps going on after that.”

from here.

Anyway, after the question and answer exchange about my home land, I came back to my lair, the whole exchange floating around in the back of my head, and I put on my music player, hit random, and the first song given to me was Death Cab For Cutie’s “Grapevine Fires,” from their nice enough last album, Narrow Stairs.

The video for the song, see above, directed by the Walter Robot duo, is a lovely affair, very nice and effective, but as with so many music videos, it doesn’t follow the lyrical narrative of the song, which is especially a shame here, I think. Particularly since, for me, one of Ben Gibbard’s strengths isn’t just the sonic aspect of his songwriting, the chords he chooses or how well he plays them, but just the way he manages to capture a tone to flow through his short stories.

The songwriter and his brand new bride.

And “Grapevine Fires” is one of the most lovely, most melancholy short stories I think he’s ever released, a beautiful song, drenched in a harmony fit for a funeral, a juxtaposition of the beautiful and the tragic as a man, a woman, the woman’s daughter, all go for a picnic in a cemetery in the Los Angeles area to watch the fires in the distance. There’s wine and some paper cups for the couple, who may have already been evacuated, as they watch the desolation unfolding and the young girl, not aware of the seriousness, or perhaps despite it, just dances around. “The northern sky looks like the end of days” as the man watches her and realizes that, no matter what, everything’s gonna be just fine. Even when it isn’t. Maybe it’ll rain, maybe it won’t. Either way, it’s only a matter of time. And you’re alive today.

Death Cab's Plans

I was riding my bike today, and one of the sweetest songs ever recorded streamed into my little green iPod shuffle.  ”What Sarah Said” is the ninth song on Death Cab for Cutie’s 2005 album, Plans.  This is one of those albums that you can listen through from track one until the end, and “What Sarah Said” perfectly highlights why Death Cab is my favorite band.

“What Sarah Said” tells a story of a man waiting by his lover’s hospital bed as she slips into death.  Pretty deep right?  The song resonates beautiful image of how this man feels, and the surroundings he finds himself in.  Take a look:

“What Sarah Said”

And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to father time
As I stared at my shoes in the ICU that reeked of piss and 409

And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself that I’d already taken too much today
As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me
Away from me

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines in a place where we only say goodbye
It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds
But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all
And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground as the TV entertained itself

‘Cause there’s no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes round and everyone will lift their heads
But I’m thinking of what Sarah said that “Love is watching someone die”

So who’s going to watch you die?..

Beautiful, right?  My favorite line is, “As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me.”  You can almost see a man sitting there with his head in his hands while his lover’s life line beeps away.

Download this song.  In fact, download this whole album and the rest of Death Cab’s catalog of songs.

Flog Out – Gotoffs

Another album by one of today’s most appealing bands, Death Cab for Cutie.  At first I was a little thrown off with a song that front-man Ben Gibbard sang almost entirely solo.  Soon I was taken on an adventure through a band that really does well with dynamics.

Every album progresses and shows the bands ability to not only continually put out a quality recording, but also the band’s ability to grow musically, which keeps fans waiting for the next thing.  Their latest release has (dare I say) even topped Plans and Transatlanticism, which is hard to believe.

Though Narrow Stairs is on the short side for a full length album, it is well worth picking up.  I found myself hitting the play button again after the first listen… and the second.

Rating: 4/5

“I was once a loyal lover, whose lips did never seek another. But now each love’s more like a match, a blinding spark that burns out fast”

I wasn’t a big fan of Narrow Stairs. It’s probably my own fault. I subscribe too much to the If-ain’t-broken-then-it-sure-as-hell-don’t-require-no-fixing philosophy. All Death Cab purists would recognize the change of tempo and the swapping of styles that was prevalent in Narrow Stairs that just don’t seem to fit in any of their previous works.

I understand the need to try something new. I welcome it even, but Narrow Stairs just coudnt invoke the same kind of emotions that Plans or Trans did. It had teeth alright, it just didn’t really have heart.

When I unwrapped the plastic sheet to Open Door, the question that was bobbing around my mind was this. “Am I about to be inspired or am I going to be dissapointed?” You can’t blame me. The EP was recorded during the Narrow Stairs session after all.

I’ve heard Casino Blues during Ben’s solo live sets. I thought it was a decent song but I didn’t like it much till it’s evolution to become Little Bribes is complete on Open Door. The crisp production ability of Walla contributes much to the beauty of the song and Ben, as usual, is at his poetic finest. He goes, “Pretend every slot machine is a robot amputee waving hello. The people stare into their eyes and they feed them little bribes and then they go“

The record then flows seamlessly to A Diamond and a Tether.  Most reviews out there claim it’s the weakest song but I beg to differ. For someone to even conceive using the word “tether” and apply it to a song itself is pure genius to me. Yes, I’m speaking like a fanboy but fuck that – I’m not embarassed to admit that I worship the ground Ben walks on. In the chorus he sings, “I know you can’t hold out forever, Waiting on a diamond and a tether, from a boy who won’t jump. When he falls in love he just stands with his toes on the edge and he waits for it to disappear again“

Which brings us to my favourite song on the record – My Mirror Speaks. Melodically superior and vocally challenging, (Ben goes all falsetto in the chorus) I won’t spoil anything for you. Open Door closes with a demo version of Talking Bird. Just Ben and a Ukulele. Stripped off it’s elaborate production, the rawness of this song tinkers with my mind and tugs at my bones to make me appreciate the genius that is Ben.

Open Door is a very very good record. Not their best, but a pretty damn good effort for an EP. It also confirms a fact that I already well know.

That Benjamin Gibbard is indeed a gifted man.

“Your New Twin Sized Bed” by Death Cab for Cutie taken from Narrow Stairs (2008 – Atlantic)

This track randomly came up while listening to my iPod last week while driving either to or from Iowa City (after your fourth or fifth trip in one week, you sort of lose track). Neither this song nor album had I given many listens.  But at that moment while cruising along I-80 my ears perked it.  Maybe it’s the almost-looped quality of the song. Or the meloncollie synth counter-melody that comes in the 2nd verse. Or maybe how Gibbard nails down what is sometimes the worst part of being single.  Regardless, I ended up listening to the track repeatedly on the way from/to Des Moines.

The Open Door EP

The Rating:  4.5 / 5

The Review: Still riding on the success of their latest album, Narrow Stairs, Death Cab For Cutie have blessed us with a new 5 track EP, comprised of the forgotten tracks from this album.

In an almost contradiction to the bittersweet sounds of Narrow Stairs, the tracks from The Open Door are slightly more bright and upbeat than their album-worthy counterparts, while still retaining the familiar Death Cab melancholic undertones.

The EP kicks off with the fun track Little Bribes, where songwriter Ben Gibbard expresses his sarcastic side (frequently seen at live shows), such as the line “Pretend every slot machine is a robot amputee”.  It’s a track that could, and most likely will find itself on a soundtrack to a new indie film this summer.  My Mirror Speaks has Gibbard reaching into falsetto during a chorus that is reminiscent of the “We Have The Facts” era of this flawless indie pop band.  The EP ends on a ukulele-driven version of Talking Birds; a track that also appears on Narrow Stairs.  Although this version is not their best work, it certainly does not disappoint and is an interesting addition to Death Cab’s ever diverse repertoire.

At the risk of sounding utterly cliche, The Open Door EP is a must have for any Death Cab For Cutie fan.  It provides a little closure to Narrow Stairs, whose only flaw was missing tracks such as these.

The Hightlights: Little Bribes, My Mirror Speaks

For Fans of: My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists

Released 31 March 2009 / Label: Barsuk/ Altantic / Listen: here

Death Cab For Cutie: The Open Door EP (24.04.2009, Atlantic/Warner)

Außen vor zu bleiben war schon immer doof, das wissen wir alle. Ob man nun beim Schulsport als Letzter in den sonst so erlesenen Kreis einer Zweifelderballmannschaft gewählt oder ob man als angehendes Model von C&A einfach nicht gebucht wurde: nicht ins Gesamtkonzept zu passen hört man gar nicht gern und trübt Stimmung sowie Selbstbewusstsein.

Vielen Bands und Musikern geht es ähnlich: sie sehen den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht mehr und so werden Großartigkeit und Spirit einiger Songs leider verkannt und ins Nirvana geschickt.

Death Cab for Cutie beweisen in dieser Hinsicht nun aber Herz, wenn nicht sogar Verstand und schicken 5 ihrer nicht zum Rest des letzten Longplayers „Narrow Stairs“ passenden Songs nicht auf die musikalische Müllhalde.
5 Songs, die nicht auf „Narrow Stairs“ sollen, sei es aus Platzgründen oder weil sie eben doch von den 11 anderen Tracks überholt wurden, haben es als kleines Zusatzalbum zum Glück noch auf „The Open Door EP“ geschafft.
Denn Titel wie „Little Bribes“ oder „A Diamond and a Teither“ sind es unbestreitbar wert, veröffentlicht zu werden, strahlen sie doch eine hinreißend sommerliche Leichtigkeit aus, dass man auf Arbeit glatt Vergnügen haben könnte, sofern der Chef Musikhören duldet. Ein bisschen Indie, ein bisschen

Country und Folk, und ein Hauch Rock’n’Roll und Pop machen das Quintett zu einem wohlig warmen Sommerminialbum.
Freundlich, wie Death Cab for Cutie’s Art nun mal ist, beginnt und endet es, hat aber Rückgrat und macht Spaß, da hier sogar Akustik auf Sonnenschein trifft, Benjamin Gibbards Stimme trotzdem warme Melancholie bedeuten kann, ohne in irgendeine Schiene gedrückt werden zu müssen und auch diese Songs nebst Freude am eigenen Dasein etwas Besonderes und Unbeschwertes mit sich bringen.

Wer diese EP besitzt, beherbergt einen kleinen Schatz. Vergleiche mit „Narrow Stairs“ sind irrelevant, da die Gründe für die Entscheidung zu einer separaten EP nun mehr als bekannt sind. Ein Minialbum, das in seiner Herrlich- und Freundlichkeit mal wieder ganz für sich alleine steht. Ein Außenseiter, zwar im Schatten von Narrow Stairs, aber trotzdem aus der Feder von Death Cab for Cutie. Beide Alben sind aus einem Holz geschnitzt und so ist der Außenseiter eben doch wieder Teil der Familie.

Julia Fischer für Valve-Magazine.net

Bewertung: 4/5

Tracklist:
1. Little Bribes
2. A Diamond And A Tether
3. My Mirror Speaks
4. I Was Once A Loyal Lover
5. Talking Bird (Demo)

www.myspace.com/deathcabforcutie

www.deathcabforcutie.com

www.lastfm.de/music/Death+Cab+for+Cutie

]]> http://gormsey.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/record-review-death-cab-for-cutie-open-door-ep/ Sun, 03 May 2009 21:16:30 +0000 gormsey http://gormsey.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/record-review-death-cab-for-cutie-open-door-ep/ http://mollysmixtape.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/53-951-pm-thats-851-am-to-you-north-americans/ Sun, 03 May 2009 13:22:53 +0000 Molly Harbarger http://mollysmixtape.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/53-951-pm-thats-851-am-to-you-north-americans/

I posted a LOT of pictures on Flickr and Facebook today, so check them out. And they both have different captions, but don’t feel obligated to go through both. 

I have a bed now. After church this morning, I ate some オムライス (omellete with rice, meat and whatnot in the middle) and chatted with my host mum (as the Oxford students say). Then, we helped my お父さん (host dad) put together the bed he built me.

I was pretty impressed. He designed it himself. His job is to design barber chairs. So, at work, he drew up blueprints and created a visual graphic that he showed me and everything. Then, the past two days he’s been outside hammering and cutting and measuring. I’ve been pretty busy, so I wasn’t around to help. Thus, when we started assembling it, I realized that he really is a very talented dude. 

He made about 7 pieces so we could carry it up the stairs. Which is good, because I was worried how we were going to fit a human-sized bed up those narrow stairs that hardly fit humans. Each step is pretty high too and there’s a corner… it just would be bad. 

I held the corners of the frame as he drove in some screws, then he just laid 3 pieces of the bottom in the frame and we were done. It even has a built in shelf for books, a lamp and alarm clock by my head. 

Not that I needed a bed, but it’s just so sweet that he built one for me.

Which makes me even happier that I fixed their Skype today. It’s the one thing I’ve been able to do for them since I came. I’ve been feeling pretty badly about missing the bus some nights. They feed me and take me places and pay for me. So I’ve been trying to think of what I can do for them.

Tonight, I was glad when they asked me to help with their webcam. My お母さん (host mom) wants to Skype her friend (the one I met) in New Zealand, but they couldn’t make their camera on Skype work. So, we tried and tried. Finally, お母さん made お父さん stop touching things and I sat down, changed the language to English and fixed it. They’re eternally grateful and pledged their lives to me. 

Just kidding, but they were happy. I’m glad I could make their day. I still need to find a way to express my appreciation since I can’t verbally very well.

Here are some short videos from Nara:

Back from the Death Cab for Cutie concert in D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. I went with Invisijet, Lupuskiller, and two of his friends. It was excellent.

After barely making it to D.C. from Blacksburg in time, fighting to find parking, and walking all the way back to the venue, we ended up missing the opening act, Ra Ra Riot, but I’ll be on the lookout for their stuff.

Cold War Kids played next. I first saw them opening for Muse at the Patriot Center in the summer of 2007. They were solid this time, but it was more entertaining to have them practically right up against my face at the Patriot Center. Our seats in Constitution Hall were comfy and gave a nice view of the whole stage, but still on a balcony yards away. CWK are also a band that require a lot of energy to get their full potential I think and the crowd didn’t have quite the right aura to bring out the most excitement.

That said, this was probably one of the few concerts in my limited venue experience with really, really ordinary people. Yes, plenty of teenagers. Many, many looked like they were still in high school. Many were made-up girls in classy on-the-town wear. One dude was in a power suit. Another dude had an earring piercing his cartilage. One older lady brought her kid or grandkid. It was a wide spectrum of people. But then, the last big concert I went to was Coldplay at the Verizon Center…and that crowd was pretty generic too.

Aw, man. Coldplay. Death Cab. I hope I get to see Ben Folds next! (Disclaimer: Phil is a fan of all of these and has seen them all in concert).

(Sidenote-to-self: I should really turn Safe Search on when google searching “soccer mom” and “suburban girl.”)

I honestly don’t mind, aesthetically speaking. The typical rocker/emo/hipster look can actually grate me (hence my occasional hatred for Mogster). I acknowledge it’s kind of funny to have Soccer Mom bring Billy to a “rock” concert, but I basically fit in right there with them with my polo shirt and jeans. However, you unfortunately have to expect a good portion of the audience to be sitting down the entire time and to limit their “dancing” to pure head nods. I, on the other hand, probably looked like an idiot slapping myself and white-shimmying to indie rock, but hey, when the occasion calls for it…

Anyway, Cold War Kids. Like I said, solid. Two things I find really funny about them. Their guitarist, Jonnie Russell, does that guitarist thing where you bow your head down in the direction of your vocalist or bassist. Except he does this to the extreme and extremely close to the point that it looks like he’s nuzzling his bandmates. Full-out bro-love nuzzling of Nathan Willett. It’s the funniest thing. iJet and I had a good time laughing at that one and trying to catch when he’d do it next.

Speaking of Nathan Willet, the lead vocalist, he does this thing with his hands when he’s not playing an instrument that makes him look like a raptor. Then he ocassionally gestures toward the audience like he’s giving a sermon. Frickin’ hilarious.

Nathan Willet, to the best of my recollection.

But, all teasing aside, they’re a refreshing band to listen to. They employ maracas to entertaining effect and have some great songs. “We Used to Vacation” caught my attention this time around, they opened with my favorite “Hang Me Up to Dry” and closed with a good rendition of “Hospital Beds.”

Then, there was a wait before Death Cab took the stage. Ben Gibbard began by asking something along the lines of, “hey, guys, what’s up?” in an unasumingly cartoony voice. And they immediately launched into the music.

Setlist:

1. “Marching Bands in Manhattan” – Plans
2. “The New Year” – Transatlanticism
3. “Crooked Teeth” – Plans
4. “President of What?” – Something About Airplanes
5. “My Mirror Speaks” – The Open Door EP
6. “Company Calls” – We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes
7. “No Sunlight” – Narrow Stairs
8. “Grapevine Fires” – Narrow Stairs
9. “I Will Possess Your Heart” – Narrow Stairs
10. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” – Plans
11. “Title and Registration” – Transatlanticism
12. “Cath” – Narrow Stairs
13. “Soul Meets Body” – Plans
14. “A Movie Script Ending” – The Photo Album
15. “Long Division” – Narrow Stairs
16. “The Sound of Settling” – Transatlanticism
17. “Bixby Canyon Bridge” – Narrow Stairs
**ENCORE**
18. “Little Bribes” – The Open Door EP
19. “Expo ‘86″ – Transatlanticism
20. “Transatlanticism” – Transatlanticism

Ben Gibbard surprised me by how…unfat he looked. Lots of pictures I see of him are sort of unflattering. He’s wearing winter clothes sometimes and his face looks chubby and he’s got those horrendous emo glasses on. Made me think that those chicks who would sacrifice all sorts of dignity for him must really like his music.

Really? I'm about this attractive on Red Bull roadtrips. Why couldn't God bless me with uncanny talent for sentimental introspective wussy-rock?

But today, the guy looked like an emo-rock God. Trim. Fit. Long, flowy hair. No glasses. I guess engagement to Zooey Deschanel must really agree with him. But, then, who would that disagree with?

The concert itself was a joy. As someone who got hooked on Death Cab with Transatlanticism, I was happy to see how much from this album made it into their setlist. In fact, they played a full four songs before getting into any material from their latest EP and one more song before getting into the last album. Again, limited concert experience, but I’ve always gotten the impression that bands will offer their new songs first and foremost and occasionally throw bones to an undeserving audience. Not so with this setlist.

I guess there’ll always be that before-they-were-big purist who bemoans a spasity of material from anything pre-Transatlanticism. But I actually felt that they put a great energy into “Company Calls” and my personal favorite was “A Movie Script Ending.” Plenty of Plans made it in, including an acoustic only-Ben performance of “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” to which iJet swooned. I felt the Narrow Stairs material was especially well-suited to the concert, with strong guitar riffs and thematic piano accompaniment. “Ending” on “Bixby Canyon Bridge” was particularly effective as Chris Walla simply killed the amp in the final crescendo.

A good word in for The Open Door EP which I am listening to right now. “Little Bribes” in the Encore was catchy and reminded me of old Elvis/Buddy Holly era rock. My favorite new Death Cab song is now “My Mirror Speaks” which is poppy goodness.

The Encore finished with two Transatlanticism songs ending on the title track itself, which was very fitting. I noticed how Gibbard drew out the word “closer” throughout, which actually made me think of a silly distinction — that sounds more new Death Cab than 2003 Death Cab. Back in the day (as if that were ages ago), it seems Ben could have been more prone to inserting truncated notes against melodic instrumental orgies. Now it seems like he’s more fond of synching his voice to the cadence of the music. Still great songs, just…well, probably a baseless and false observation actually.

The music was crisp and clear, Ben had some good lines (“man, if I lived in DC, I’d be tired of **** Bush”), and I enjoyed finally going to a concert where I knew most of the words.  My first time seeing them live and it was worth the 4 and a half hour drive. 92 out of 100 Little Bribes.

Invisijet and I both agreed that it was amazing. A special thanks to Lupuskiller for getting the tickets and bringing it to my attention. Unfortunately, I’m a blogging heretic because I don’t own a camera so I have no pictures of my own save what’s on my crappy cell phone. If you’d like to chip in to the “Get Phil the Pill a camera” fund, leave a comment.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should probably…read for judicial process or something.

Ooh, I wonder if the new Lost is online.

NEW DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE MUSIC!?!

That was my exact response when I woke up this morning and checked my Facebook [a good friend of mine left me a link on my wall, thank you so much Tricia].

Anyway, it’s true. Death Cab for Cutie is releasing the companion album to Narrow Stairs on March 31, titled Open Doors [EP]. Three songs are available for streaming at Stereogum.com, “Little Bribes”, “A Diamond and a Tether”, and “My Mirror Speaks”.

Open Doors EP

The EP’s Track List:

1. Little Bribes
2. A Diamond and a Tether
3. My Mirror Speaks
4. I Was Once a Loyal Lover
5. Talking Birds [Demo]

The songs released so far have been a wide range of the same ol’ Death Cab. [Upbeat acoustic guitar, dark/sad song proclaiming failing love, and something in between]

The EP is available for pre-order off of iTunes and Death Cab’s website now, and will be available for digital purchase on 3/31 [a physical release will follow in suit].

It makes sense why these songs didn’t make it on to Narrow Stairs, but it’s good we get the songs in the end anyway.

Cody

[updated 03.26.09] – the fourth track, “I Was Once a Loyal Lover” was released today and it’s not bad. All of the songs have different vibes to them. I like it.

Esto debe ser como lo que hace mi madre a veces cuando va al mecadillo: llega tarde por que a última hora los precios bajan. Es normal, el gitano no quiere llevarse las cerezas a casa, así que, antes de recoger, baja el precio para que se las quiten de las manos. Estas canciones deben ser al Narrow Stairs de Death Cab For Cutie lo que las cerezas que nadie quiso para el amigo del puesto de frutas. Qué gran tipo. El caso es que Gibbard y compañía han debido cambiar de opinión sobre lo que descartaron por un pelo de su último trabajo o quizás han bajado su propio liston de exigencia. El caso es que las empaquetan y las distribuyen bajo el título de The Open Door. Para finales de mes en descarga digital, supongo, gratuíta. Oigan, que yo encantado, por que el mencionado álbum, sin ser el peor de tu carrera, me dejó con hambre. Esperemos que este EP sea tan buen postre como las cerezas del mercadillo. Me ahorro lo de dar los títulos. Veánlos en cucharasónica.

i’ve been a good little boy. i think.

my music-ploration has led to much awesome music and many cool bands. one of the more important (in my mind) has been Death Cab For Cutie. I started listening from the beginning albums and making my way forward in their discography. Things were going pretty good; i was starting to get into the music.

then one of my bandmates turned me on to Plans. that album changed everything. i could not, and can not get enough of that album. one of purposes for this blog is to review some of these more important albums. i guess i just added one to the list. anyway, recently i’ve discovered Transatlanticism which i also now love.

i’ve been eyeing their latest release Narrow Stairs since before christmas. i think i’ve been afraid that it won’t be as good as i want it to be. well no more fear, it’s sitting on my desk, it’s been ripped to my ipod, and it’s going in my ears tomorrow morning on the way to work.

i love really listening to an album for the first time; a little ritual. it’s a memory association–who i was with, where i was, where i was in my life for that matter. some albums remind me of road trips, others of sitting in my basement with all the lights turned out. so it’s memory making time–imprint away brain! i suppose this post commits me to a follow up of some kind. so be it!

En las entrevistas de promoción de Narrow Stairs, Ben Gibbard explicaba que había algunas canciones que habían quedado fuera de la selección final del disco (en la que, personalmente, no entiendo cómo entró ‘Pity And Fear‘, pero en fin) y que le encantaría publicarlas algún día. Pues bien, el día está cerca, porque el bajista Nick Harmer ha contado a MTV que Death Cab For Cutie publicarán pronto el EP The Open Door, con cuatro canciones inéditas que forman parte de las sesiones de grabación de Narrow Stairs. “Estas canciones necesitaban tener su propio hogar, y es este EP“, explica Harmer. Saldrá en algún momento de este año (él cree) e irán acompañadas por la “versión original” de ‘Talking Bird‘ (una de nuestras favoritas), que consiste en Ben cantando y tocando el ukelele. El típico complemento que hace salivar a los fans, porque parece que la continuación de Narrow Stairs va para largo… (Vía: MTV)

Death Cab for Cutie announced a new EP featuring four songs from the Narrow Stairs recording sessions. The EP will be titled The Open Door and will be released later on this year.

These are just a few of the awesomely reviewed and recommended albums on our Music page. For more detail and  links to their music ,please click on the music tab on the left hand side of the homepage.