I've been trying to get some more variety in my music library lately. Being from Washington, I've heard these guys on the radio a lot, so I figured I'd give them a real chance and picked up Narrow Stairs.

My jaw was on the floor the first four songs, and for a few more after that. How have I let Death Cab get by me up until now? Most of the lyrics are well thought out, and Gibbard does a great job setting up an atmosphere with the music.

I thought I was impressed the first time I listened to this album, but it gets better every time. Since getting this, I've gone out and gotten Plans and Transatlanticism, and I'm about to listen to those. My favorites here though have to be: Bixby Canyon Bridge, I Will Possess Your Heart, Grapevine Fires, and Your New Twin Sized Bed.

I have to first say that if you are reading this, I have to establish that I'm not a really big fan of Death Cab in the sense that I only have two albums. I picked up Plans, and was really impressed. I figured I'd pick this one up, because I'd heard good things about it, and I had "I Will Possess Your Heart," and I really liked the song.

I was fairly disappointed in the songs on this album. I have come to expect great lyrics from Death Cab, and no doubt that there are songs on this album that show Ben Gibbard's talent for good lyrics. Some of them are just there. Some of them just leave a bad taste in your mouth.

However, I am not recommending that you pass this album up if you are always looking for good music. Some of the songs are really worth having, and if you don't want to buy it, remember to get it burned from a friend.

You should get Death Cab's Narrow Stairs for the first four songs alone. Each is a model of perfection. Even though 'I Will Possess Your Heart' clocks in at over 7 minutes, you never get bored.

This is a must have.

[DW]

I don't want to be one of those people who can't enjoy Item A because of the existence of Item B, which they feel is so superior to Item A that they can't enjoy A because of the inferiority in comparison to B, but... well, that's kind of how I feel in this case. In my example, Item A is this album, "Narrow Stairs", and Item B is Death Cab's 2005 "Plans".

Prior to purchasing "Plans", I owned a few Death Cab albums, including "Transatlanticism" and "The Photo Album", which I thought were alright but, with the notable exceptions of stand-out tracks like "Tiny Vessels" and the "Transatlanticism", never really grabbed my attention. I wouldn't listen to either CD without skipping. I absolutely adored the songs I adored and liked the band overall, but decided that I would never buy an album of theirs again, just download the songs that I liked.

Then "Plans" came out, and I loved every track. I listened to that album on endless repeat, saw their show in St. Louis this year, and decided to take a chance and buy "Narrow Stairs" in its entirety. Sigh. And we're back to "The Photo Album" where I like two or three songs and skip through everything else. It's not that the rest of the album is unlistenable, just that it's not, to me, exceptional.

I know it's not fair to decide one piece of art against another by the same artist, but when that artist paints a masterpiece, setting a whole new level for your expectations, and then fails to live up to it, you can't help but think, "Where did the guy who painted the Mona Lisa go?"

"Grapevine Fires" is an incredible song, and for me, the highlight of the album. It's an evocative meditation on the wildfires in California and the frailty of human civilization. LOVE IT! I also like "I Will Possess Your Heart" and "Bixby Canyon Bridge". "Cath..." has amazing lyrics, but I'm not fond of the song.

A simple and sweet review. I admit I am a relatively new DCFC fan, within the last few years, but I really enjoy this disc. I own the previous 2 releases and enjoy them just as well! The differences between this one and Plans are highly appealing to me. I cannot believe some do not like this cd. Must be fair weather fans. Nothing wrong with a little rockin' out! With my continuing research of their past catalog I think this is a solid release and true fans will dig it.