Thursday, March 27, 2008

Everything's Coming Up Death Cab

How psyched is everyone for the new Death Cab release? I'm really behind on my reporting of this one (I mentioned it earlier, but am just now posting tracks) - Narrow Stairs is set to hit stores on May 13th, 2008. The two tracks I've heard so far are indeed amazing. "I Will Possess Your Heart," at a staggering 8 plus minutes is largely instrumental, though the second half of the track demonstrates Ben Gibbard's lyrical talents in true DCFC style. The extended introduction will not be part of the radio edit; a crying shame in my opinion as I find the instrumentation a refreshing departure from Gibbard's usually heavy (though more sugary in this case) prose.


There are days when outside your window, I see my reflection as I slowly pass
And I long for this mirrored perspective, when we'll be lovers, lovers at last
[Chorus]
You gotta spend some time, love
You gotta spend some time with me
And I know that you'll find love
I will possess your heart

The second track is "Cath," which was performed pitch-perfectly by the guys on BBC 6. More dramatic and insightful than the lead-off love song above, "Cath" is about a beautiful woman who has trapped herself in a loveless marriage; driven by the need for security and fear of solitude, with a dying heart more metaphoric than literal. The song which moved me near to tears when I first heard it, recounts the dark side of a woman's wedding day, the more sinister motivation behind a usually happy occasion. How far can our fear of being alone really take us?

DCFC - Cath (Live on BBC) [ysi]

Cath, she stands
With well intentions meant
But she can't relax
with his hands on the small of her back
As the flesh holes burst
She holds a smile
Someone will hold the crying child

And everybody asks what became of you
Your heart was dying fast
and you didn't know what to do

Cath, it seems
That you live in a dying dream
In a hand me down wedding dress
On the arm of a man you detest

But you said your vows
And you closed the door
on so many men
who would have loved you more

And everybody asks what became of you
Your heart was dying fast
and you didn't know what to do

And whispers that it won't last
Were running down the pews
Cos my heart was dying that fast
I would have done the same as you
I would have done the same as you

MTV writer/tool James Montgomery acknowledges the album is stellar (not completely stupid) but also thinks it could kill DCFC's career. He thought they had gone crazy by releasing the extended version of "I Will Possess Your Heart," as if Death Cab is some mainstream machine who is supposed to work within pop/radio standards. I don't think so. I think people forget DCFC had a life BEFORE Plans, before they got major radio play or audience reception. They have been making amazing music for years, and I certainly don't think a step towards creativity will take anything away from their true fans.

Loves it,

Lydia

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