Album Of The Month - May: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

May was a far better month for music that April. There was the genius that is For Emma, Forever Ago by Justin Vernon under the name of Bon Iver. Also, Pendulum released the follow up to 2005's Hold Your Colour, In Silico. Both of which I really like, though neither come close to what was always going to be the album of the month. Death Cab For Cutie's 6th studio album Narrow Stairs.

I have been waiting for this album since I got into this band last summer. I'd listened to 2005's Plans around the time of it's release but never really paid them much attention, however, since I discovered their other albums last summer, they have quickly become one of my favourite bands.

I was apprehensive as clicked download, partly because of all the fakes that had been circling the internet and getting me excited only to disappoint, but mainly because this is the first DCFC album to be released since I got into them and I had no idea what to expect. I'd heard so many mixed opinions of it, reviewers that had previously hated the band saying it was amazing and many people saying the band had completely changed their approach and ideas about music.

I'll start with the obvious point, there is clearly a change in sound here, but it has definitely been exaggerate. The major difference is the recording method, for the first time in ages the band have recorded the album live in the studio all at once rather than using various, seperately recorded tracks as was done on Plans. This results in a far more raw sound, the music at the end of opener Bixby Canyon Bridge is just static, something that you'd never had found on Plans.

As far as the lyrics go, Narrow Stairs probably isn't Ben at his best (to find this, see 2001's The Photo Album), but it's still stunning in parts. It follows much the same pattern as previous DCFC albums lyrically, telling story's of loneliness (Your New Twin Sized Bed) and failed relationships (The Ice Is Getting Thinner). You Can Do Better Than Me stands out in particular, and the line "I'm beginning to think we stay together out of fear of dying alone" is especially poignant.

Musically, there is clearly something different about this record beyond the record technique. At points they have hit the button marked "epic", such as first single I Will Possess Your Heart or the stunning Grapevine Fires. However, DCFC also show their talents to write perfect indie-pop (No Sunlight, Long Division) and slow, rumbling ballads (Talking Bird). Various aspects show the bands musical talent it ways previous albums haven't managed to, the drums in particular stand out in a way they haven't on previous albums. The ending of Pity & Fear is something I'm especially looking forward to hearing live.

There are echoes of past DCFC here. Cath..., is classic Ben lyrically, but the guitar has that little bit extra to it. This is feel the entire album gives, it's classic DCFC, with that little bit extra added. Theres such a sense that the only reason these 11 tracks are on this record is because the band themselves love them, they have clearly worked really hard on creating a new sound they love and you get the sense they made this album for themselves more than anyone else. Saying that, Narrow Stairs doesn't sound self-involved in the slightest, theres just a sense of "we hope you like this, we do", rather than then "heres our single and 10 other tracks that sound like it" that so many bands put out nowadays.

Narrow Stairs is a stunning album, it just takes a bit of getting used to after having listened to DCFC's other albums so much. It's not their best, but is quickly rising in my opinions. Every track has new bits to pick up on each time you listen and each track is almost entirely different from the next (excluding You Can Do Better Than Me/Grapevine Fires, which merge together so perfectly that I'm pretty sure they were recorded together). The thundering Bixby Canyon Bridge contrast with the epic I Will Possess Your Heart, which contrasts again with the delightfully poppy No Sunlight. What Death Cab For Cutie have created is something magical, beautiful and tragic all at the same time, not their best work, but if Narrow Stairs is the one DCFC album that is remembered in 20 years time, I won't be surprised.

Recent listenings...

I've not posted for ages, here is a quick run down of what I'm really into at the moment before I do album of the month for May.

Coldplay
The band are set to released their 4th album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends on June 12th and I'm getting very excited about it. They have released two tracks from it for free, first single Violet Hill and title track Viva La Vida. Both sound brilliant, far better than anything from 2005's X & Y, which was a bit of a disappointment after the genius of their first two albums.

Bon Iver
Jason Vernon, or Bon Iver, retreated into the woods of Wisconsin for 3 months after his band split up and his girlfriend left him. He lived almost in complete solidarity, except for his dad bring him supplies every 10 days. While her was there he wrote his 2007 debut For Emma, Forever Ago (released in the UK May 12th, 2008), and it's stunning. There are just no way to put it into words how beautiful this album really is. It's so personal, it feels almost intrusive listening to it (yes, I did steal that from Uncut's review).

Pendulum
I've spent about a week listening to their new album In Silico over and over again, and I really like it. Granted, it sounds nothing like their 2005 debut Hold Your Colour, and it's not as good either, but still, it's packed with tune after tune as is the first album. The main issue is how you approach listening to it. If you are expecting a continuation of the same kind of sound as you got with Hold Your Colour, you will be disappointed. It sounds nothing like it, far more vocals, recorded using live instruments and written as it has been specifically so it can be played live. However, In Silico is clearly not meant to sound like their debut and the fact that they've completely changed their sound at the risk of loosing a lot of fans shows far more guts than band that just churn out albums that sound the same over and over. There is no way they would have been able to write another album like Hold Your Colour and it be anywhere near as good, so they have obviously put a lot of effort into making a new sound for themselves rather than just repeating what they know they are good.
So, to sum up that rant. I really like In Silico, and am looking forward to hearing the new tracks live later this year.

The Subways
A few new tracks from the young English trio's 2nd album All Or Nothing (released 30th June 2008) have been released and the album is shaping up to something quite special. 2005's debut Young For Eternity had some great songs but a lot of filler tracks but I have high hopes for the new one. They have gone for a much heavier sound as first single Girls & Boys shows withs is manic Muse-esque riff. Second single Alright (out 16th June 2008) isn't quite as heavy but it's good to get a taste of the variation the album will have. Looking forward to hearing this one.


Thats pretty much it for new stuff I've been listening to recently, old stuff I've been getting back into includes:

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
It turns out Francis was right, the bands 2005 debut is better than last years A Weekend In The City

The Rifles - No Love Lost
I really liked this album when I first heard it early last year, been listening over and over since they supported Milburn on Saturday

Milburn
What can I say here... Milburn have been such a big influence of my life (as in gigs/nights out etc) over last 2 years. The farewell gig on Saturday was amazing and I'll miss them a lot.

Bright Eyes
In anticipation of Conor Oberst's solo album out later this year and seeing him at Leeds Festival in August

Album Of The Month - April: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

Easily the most anticipated album of the month, The Last Shadow Puppets' The Age Of The Understatement. I'm still not sure about this album. On first listen, I was disappointed, nothing of note stood out and the band's debut single, the title track, was easily my favourite track. However, I persevered with it, and after another few listens I started to really get into it, however, I think I may have listened once to many times and I'm now bored of it.

It's not that it's a bad album in the slightest. The lyrics are of the quality you'd expect to get when to set Mr Turner to work, and the tracks where Miles has clearly taken the reigns are also far better than expected. The music itself is good as well, there are some great little guitar riffs (not surprisingly reminiscent of the kind found on Favourite Worst Nightmare) and the strings arranged by Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy add an entirely new level to the album. They have the ability to raise a track that starts out slightly dull to an epic ending, as Standing Next To Me demonstrates.

There problem with the album is that it feels like there has been far more effort into making it sound epic than writing a quality album with what they have. It's good to hear people having a crack at something a bit different, and where it has worked, it yields stunning results. Sometimes, they have either pushed it a bit far (see The Chamber) or not pushed it anywhere near enough (see closing track The Time Has Come Again).

I do like it, but it's far from brilliant and rather than applauding the clever, insightful lyrics from the two front men, it is Owen that the praise should be heaped on, as without the strings this record would be nothing (granted, the whole point of the record is a huge sounding album with strings). The arrangement is perfect. Epic and almost overwhelming when it needs to be, but equally adept at fading perfectly into the background.

So, while it is very enjoyable and interesting in places, its just as dull in others. Overall, I hope Alex sticks with the Arctics to be perfectly honest.