death cab for cutie

transatlanticism

'2003 has become the year of Death Cab for Cutie. It was virtually impossible to purchase any records this year without hearing the DCfC effect. If they weren't producing it, or contributing parts, they were writing music for side projects that are bound, in one form or another, to reach the top of many top 10 of 2003 lists by the end of the year.

DCfC members Chris Walla and Ben Gibbard have left their mark as two of the busiest musicians in the industry. Not only has Walla served as the six-string for many bands, but he is also one of indie rock's most noted producers. Gibbard's most fruitful effort of the year has been his collaboration with Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello on The Postal Service. Their 2003 CD "Give Up" is bound to be one of the year's best releases.

As a result of all of their side work, the members of DCfC have returned to the recording studio to record "Transatlanticism" as a much wiser, more mature and more experienced group of musicians. They are world-wise and it shows. The tempo is turned down a notch, and there is little aggression behind the record. The songs are, for lack of a more descriptive word, cool. They know their place and have nothing to prove that is beyond their reach.

Death Cab for Cutie is a band content with its sound, fully aware that the members have more than enough individual creative outlets. In essence, they have networked the indie rock community in pursuit of their different passions and interests.

A few of the guitar progressions and vocal melodies have been influenced by music they have created outside of DCfC. This, somehow, does not hinder the band. It just shows that they have done it all and can use similar parts in very different-sounding songs.

With "Transatlanticism," the members of Death Cab know what they want and are capable of doing it all.