Death Cab for Cutie are in danger of being overhyped and, thus, overlooked. Can anyone really take a band seriously that is hyped by characters on the OC? In this case, well, yeah. Plans
by Death Cab for Cutie is one of the highlights of 2005 and the new century of music.
“Soul Meets Body,” “Crooked Teeth” and especially the wonderful and strange “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” more than justify the purchase of this album, as they are ably backed by songs that, on any other album, would be the standouts. (“I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” in particular, is a great example of a song that shouldn’t work by any sane standard, but does, and amazingly so.)
Amidst the gems, though, there are, if not clunkers, less-impressive tunes. “Brothers on a Hotel Bed,” in particular, feels like it would have been quite comfortable laying on the cutting room floor.
In the end, Plans is less even than Give Up by the Postal Service (a related project), but is still one of the best albums of 2005 by any measure.
Strongly recommended.
It’s hard to explain the sound of the Sons and Daughters: Nearly incomprehensible Scot accents, driving guitars, staccato beats and idiosyncratic lyrics is pretty accurate, but doesn’t convey the fun and all-out rocking of the band.
Perhaps the best way to sell this album is through single tracks: Buy, through your favorite singles vendor, “Dance Me In.” If that doesn’t sell you (or, alternately, “Monsters,” “Taste the Last Girl,” “Medicine” or “Rama Lama”), this album isn’t for you.
You’re probably also in a coma.
The Repulsion Box gets the strongest possible recommendation for all rock and roll fans.
The only real criticism I can make of this album is that it’s too short.
Give Up is an almost uniformly perfect record, atmospheric, cleverly written and flat-out gorgeous. “Such Great Heights” is certainly the album’s peak, but “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,” “Sleeping In,” “Nothing Better,” “Recycled Air,” “Clark Gable,” “This Place is a Prison” and “Brand New Colony” make sure it’s not alone.
In an era when it’s a treat to find an album with even three good songs on a CD that justify its purpose, it’s a thrill to have back to back to back great songs.
The strongest possible recommendation for this album. Get it, now.
Serenity satisfactorily answers some lingering questions from the too-soon-aborted Firefly television series, leaves a few more hanging and perhaps even opens up a few for future projects.
It’s also, for those who didn’t see the series, either on television or on DVD, a grungy, lived-in universe like the Aliens universe, but one where the greatest threat is humanity.
Some of the quirks of the TV series have been toned down: It’s not quite so blatantly a post-Civil War Western in space, and some of the cutesier character bits have been relegated to the deleted scenes portion of the DVD. The film will be most enjoyable for those who have seen the series, but it’s still fun for those who haven’t.
It also has a stronger narrative through-line than the often leisurely television episodes, better special effects and make-up and even better writing. (The dialogue has more of a future-archaic feel which adds a great deal of realism to the proceedings.)
Bring on the next sequel!
Strongly recommended for fans of Firefly and anyone who loved Han Solo back when he shot first.
Back to using the ankle and wrist braces for the first time since my operation.
I hope I washed them since. I suppose there’d be an unholy funk if I hadn’t.
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