First
off I will say that Death Cab For Cutie has some guts leading
off their sixth album and second for a major label with two songs
that combined run a whopping 13:41 minutes, which also includes
the first single “I Will Possess Your Heart” taking
up 8:26 of that. Call it their artistic status, rebellion against
the mainstream or the fact that they have never really changed
but Narrow Stairs is a complete effort that will not
go down as their best album in the catalog but is easily listenable,
likable and there is no doubt fans will still adore it.
The noticeable change on Narrow Stairs
from previous efforts is that it comes off like a more mature
record and fits a band that has entered their thirties. Ben Gibbard
tells it like it is and shoots to connect with his audience as
he addresses that there are challenges in life no matter how successful
or satisfied you may be.
Spoken like a wise elder statesman, Death Cab For
Cutie may have a more mature outlook but still show their old
selves on tracks like “Cath…” and “Long
Division” that have the rhythmic bounce of some of their
earlier work, which should thrill longtime fans. I believe that
every band that has experienced longevity tries to avoid releasing
the same album so they take chances. Death Cab For Cutie takes
those chances with some more ballad style tracks like the infectious
downer “Grapevine Fires”, combined with some old school
Death Cab and then there is the expansive single, which ultimately
grabs hold of you.
Narrow Stairs is not going to blow everyone
away but it is a solid addition to their catalog that will keep
fans coming back for more!
Aidan Rox
For more of Aidan Rox's music reviews, check out
The Fire Note
First
off I will say that Death Cab For Cutie has some guts leading
off their sixth album and second for a major label with two songs
that combined run a whopping 13:41 minutes, which also includes
the first single “I Will Possess Your Heart” taking
up 8:26 of that. Call it their artistic status, rebellion against
the mainstream or the fact that they have never really changed
but Narrow Stairs is a complete effort that will not
go down as their best album in the catalog but is easily listenable,
likable and there is no doubt fans will still adore it.