The Inconvenient Truths of Ben Gibbard - Death Cab for Cuties "Narrow Stairs"

Death Cab for Cutie, at exactly one month ago on May 12, 2008 released their newest album Narrow Stairs which within the course of this last month has peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Charts.

The album marks a significant departure from the older strictly indie recordings of 'Something about Airplanes', and 'We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes,' but also is a mature step forward for them since their recent 2002, 2005 releases of 'Transatlanticism', and 'Plans'(respectively.)

Death Cab For Cutie, was originally out of Western Washington Universtiy up in Bellingham, WA, where both myself and the lead singer of my band met as well. DCFC are Ben Gibbard (the lead singer/guitarist), Chris Walla (guitar/producer), Nicholas Harmer (bass guitar) and Jason McGerr (drums).

The main thing that gripped me throughout researching and reviewing their newest album, was Ben Gibbard's lyrics and his inspirations. In an article which Ben Gibbard wrote for Paste Magazine (Apr 10, 2008, Issue 42), he describes his experience with Narrow Stairs as: "The first line of the first song I wrote here is, 'I descended a dusty gravel ridge'—it’s like the whole album is a descent." Even the albums producer and lead guitarist, Christopher Walla described the album as 'weird, creepy and with lots of blood.' Gibbards lyrics and the general vibe of the album reflects these darker descriptions.

In this past month, many critics have pointed out that Gibbard's song writing in Narrow Stairs is more simplistic and direct, and thus less profound as his previous lyrics. Ben Gibbard on his new revised writing style described that there is, "no need to veil what's happening in the song the way I used to." Instead of making the lyrics even more dense and convoluted, which can come off as being snobbish and esoteric, Gibbard as opted out to more genuinely communicate his songs to his audience. Personally I agree with Gibbards decision, and can appreciate the level of honesty he now wants to exhibit in his writing.

From Bixby Canyon Bridge (with Gibbard opening the album with his personal relections on Jack Kerouac and his stay at Big Sur, CA); the album almost moves like a dark stream of consciousness in the style of a Kerouac beat poem as Gibbard recalls and expounds on topics such as loss of innocence and disillusionment (No Sunlight, Your New Twin Sized Bed, The Ice is Getting Thinner); the inevitability of death and how we cope with it(Cath..., Grapevine Fires, You Can Do Better Than Me), and other topics ranging from love and obsession(I will Possess Your Heart, Long Division, Pity & Fear), to feelings of inadequency (Talking Bird.) Gibbard tackles a wide array of issues and delivers to his audience a clear thoughtful, yet always somber voice.

The music itself is a wonderful counterpart to Gibbards reflections on his broken idealism- even as the lyrics are dark, the music is driving, and somewhat upbeat (in DCFC typical fashion). Strangely enough, DCFC also gets experimental with tracks such as I Will Possess Your Heart (an 8 minute long song, with 5 minutes of constant instrumental buildup); the Eastern sounding Pity and Fear, and the exhuberant fanfare of You Can Do Better Than Me. Even though the experimental tracks are new and some first time listeners may appreciate the branching out, the new tracks are very risky. Personally 'You Can Do Better Than Me' served as a great transistional song from the ponderously slow 'Talking Bird' to the bitter-sweet reflections of 'Grapevine Fires,' however 'You Can Do Better Than Me' is a weak stand alone song. Furthermore, the first single which DCFC released in promotion of the album was I Will Possess Your Heart, which in my opinion was a bad decision. Even though the flow of the song reflects the absurdity of obessessive love, with 5 minutes of continual monotony with the same D chord over and over, it is a pretty weak single, and also a poor song to have be the second track on the album. Perhaps if the track was placed later on during the album such as the epic "Transatlanticism" on their 2002 release, it might have had more of an impact for me and for the cohesion of the album in its entirety.

Overall as an album, it lacks the cohesive presentation of Transatlanticism, however continues the momentum which the band has been gathering over the years with their major label releases. Narrow Stairs is a good music album, but an even better look at the inner workings of Ben Gibbard. To be honest, I am pleased to see that this album has reached the No.1 slot of the Top 200 Billboard, it gives DCFC more worldwide recognition which they deserve, but it is strange that this would be the album to get them there.

-Andrew D.B. Joslyn



References:
www.rockhall.com/thecraft/ben-gibbard-interview/
www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/7074/feature/music/the_meaning_of_life