Though release details for Death Cab for Cutie’s new album have been somewhat guarded, the countdown has now officially begun for the album’s distribution on May 31st. I absolutely encourage all of you to mark the Codes and Keys release date on your calendars. My feelings of euphoria and nervousness is certainly incredible and a bit overwhelming.
I realize the minor anxiety I’m feeling may be a bit confusing to some of you. Narrow Stairs was certainly a great album, and The Open Door EP was stellar as well. Regardless, Plans is, and will continue to be, one of my top 3 favorite albums (though Eric always states his case for Transatlanticism). I recognize that the memories of my freshman year of college are likely clouding my judgment and making me nostalgic, but none of their newer stuff can hold a candle to “What Sarah Said”, “Brothers In A Hotel Bed”, “Marching Bands Of Manhattan”, and “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”.
The new album, said to contain more experimental arrangements, string sections, and a dearth of guitars, sounds like a return to this music I love. Ben Gibbard has also expressed that this new release won’t have the darkness that Narrow Stairs exuded. Personally, though, when it comes to Ben Gibbard’s lyrics and melodies, I view them only as an honest assessment of the human condition. For me, his words have always been more truthful than sad. Let’s hope their first single, “You Are A Tourist”, can accomplish just that.
No matter where the album fits into the overall spectrum of their work, though, I have no doubt that it will be incredible. Their tour dates won’t mean much to those of us on the East Coast, people of the Northwest and Canada, enjoy!
05/24 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center
05/25 – Calgary, AB @ Stampede Corral
05/27 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheatre
05/28 – George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Festival
07/02 – Milton Keynes, UK @ The National Bowl *
* w/ Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Tame Impala
