It’s safe to say that Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard is a romantic. Whether he’s philosophizing on the metaphysics of intimacy or crooning on syrupy indie ballads about the numerous configurations of coupling–all in abstract non-threatening ways, we’re not talking the Kama Sutra here–this man is pretty much in love with being in love. If you’re a diehard Death Cab fan, then you probably dig the sentimental dude who is comfortable enough with himself to talk about love, soulmates and other stuff that makes most men want to run to the nearest tackle football game or other sausage-oriented activity. To those of us who are less touchy-feely, though, all these emotions can seem a little suffocating, precious and, er, honestly kind of boring. How many times can we stand to hear another sappy metaphor-heavy track without feeling a slight cringe–the inner anti-lovemonger growling for some angsty hate-rock?
These were my exact feelings when approaching DCFC’s latest offering Narrow Stairs (Atlantic, 2008), fearing it might be a repeat of 2005’s Plans–which, to be perfectly honest, did eventually grow on me (like a house inundated with ivy, I stopped fighting the “Soul Meets Body” aversion and jumped on the uber-popular Death Cab, much to my own surprise). That doesn’t mean I wasn’t skeptical about this Bellingham-based foursome’s seventh album, and when I had made it safely through the first listen I was convinced this isn’t your mama’s Death Cab for Cutie album.
With a far darker sound–and songsmith Ben Gibbard’s perennial heart-on-sleeve thankfully tucked away to a less conspicuous location–Narrow Stairs shows Death Cab less in musical lovelorn limbo and more confidently monogamous with their role as modern romanticists, striving for new ways to convey the age-old struggle of love, lust and loss. The album kicks off with the cinematic “Bixby Canyon Drive,” which opens with ethereal guitar strumming, reminiscent of Turn On the Bright Lights-era Interpol, and eventually meanders into a nostalgic power pop dirge that’s like a geographical mapping of a lingering courtship. The serpentine bass-and-keys driven single “I Will Possess Your Heart” is a sensual slow burn, with belated and slightly stalker-ish lyrics that don’t show up until four minutes into the song. With an ominous bass line and lonesome yet atmospheric trilling keys, ” I Will Possess Your Heart” is hands-down one of the most successful tracks on the album. Whether you’re a Death Cab fan or not, Narrow Stairs is worth at least a first date.
