Excellent breakdown of the new Death Cab For Cutie album from the Seattle Times:
While it’s by far the best DCFC work to date, it also suggests the band is not at its destination ? it’s still moving, trudging up through the snow. As good as “Plans” is ? and it’s easily one of the best albums of 2005 ? there can be hope that Death Cab will eventually unleash fiercely powerful music that will really shake listeners, and make us remember “Plans” as just the first leg of a long journey. (full review)
Now, I’m a noted DCFC detractor anyway, but I can’t believe anyone would call this their best album yet. Aside from “Soul Meets Body” and “Crooked Teeth,” everything on Plans sounds like throwaway b-sides. It’s entirely forgettable.