Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie are a four-piece indie rock band from Seattle, America. Initially starting as a solo project for the band’s front man Ben Gibbard way back in 1997, the band released their sixth studio album Narrow Stairs in May this year.
Interestingly, the band takes their name from a song performed by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in The Beatles\' 1967 film The Magical Mystery Tour. Chew on that, fact fans.
While critics initially criticized the band for being too “bland” or “ultra lo-fi”, DCFC have since expanded their sound (an appeal), boasting more orchestral backing and experimental leanings on their new record. Recent single ‘I Will Possess Your Heart’ even uncharacteristically clocks in at over nine minutes. Furthermore, the band’s Chris Walla has even gone on record saying the new stuff is “weird” (yeah) and features extended Can-like Jams. Who says a leopard can’t change its spots?
From what we’ve heard of the new LP, we’ve been suitably impressed - Tom Hannan even declaring it to be their best album to date, with the aforementioned ‘I Will Possess Your Heart’ his “track of the year”. Toby L has even asserted that the band are the American indie-prog-emo version of Britain’s own The Bluetones. And then went on to describe how this was actually, a very good thing. Weirdo.
But with such praise coming hard and fast, and a new single ‘Cath’ hitting the shelves this Monday, it seemed clear that the ‘band of the week’ position had their name written all over it.
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DEATHCABFORCUTIE.COM: The band’s official website has some fancy looking images, all the latest news, a blog from the band, message boards, a fan club section and loads of useful information about DCFC. All the things you might expect from a band’s website in this crazy day and age then.
MYSPACE.COM/DEATHCABFORCUTIE: Five tracks up on the player, including two songs from the new album plus a handful of classics from over the years such as ‘President of What’ and ‘Your Heart Is And Empty’. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists are in their top friends. Good call.
SOUL MEETS BODY: Have a look here at the video to perhaps the band’s most famous song. Let the warm swashes of melodic rock sweep over you while visual images of fast growing nature delight your eyes. A user called zzgirl1234 comments underneath that “This is my favourite song everrr.”
DCFCUNION.COM: A direct link to the band’s official fan club. The impressively titled DCFC Union Local will give you an exclusive t-shirt, limited edition 7-inches, stickers and a proper membership card all for $30 (about £15) per annum. You also get priority ticketing, news, and most astoundingly, a special fan-streaming radio station and chat room. Proving that these emo kids certainly don’t do things by halves.
I WILL FOLLOW YOU IN TO THE DARK: Michael Lewin gets praise-happy with a 4 star review.
THE SOUND OF SETTLING: One from the vault here, Matt Tomiak gives one of the band\'s early releases for Fierce Panda a review way back in 2004.
THE ASCENT OF NARROW STAIRS: James Orange has a little chat about the bands new LP, Narrow Stairs.
I WILL POSSESS YOUR HEART: and its accompanying, mildly creepy video.