Ok so here is my own little review of Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs...

Overall, I feel like this was a step away from Plans and more towards their older roots. And unlike Plans, which was very much a piece by piece work, Narrow Stairs seems to be more of a complete and flowing album, which I personally enjoyed more. It has been out over a month now and I'm sure I've given it at least fifty listens if not more, and I'm still not sick of it in the slightest, which really shows how impressive it is as an album.

Track by Track...

1) Bixby Canyon Bridge - A very epic song for Death Cab and very different from anything they have ever done. LOVE the drums on this one (though I say they were very disappointing live). I've heard this song is about Jack Keroac, I thought that was interesting. And while i feel like this song is a step in a different direction for the band, they still brought in that characteristic Death Cab sound and imagery. One of my favorites. 9/10

2) I Will Possess Your Heart - When I first heard this as a single, I was convinced for the first four minutes of the song that Death Cab had gone post-rock...and that they were good at it. Then when Ben's vocals came in I realized I had been wrong, but I also realized the genius to the song. The intro to this song part of the story aspect of it, like when you first fall in "love at first sight" and for a while you just watch the person, noticing them, but dont really make a move yet. That's what the beginning of this song is supposed to replicate, and that becomes apparent when you listen to the words in the second half. 8/10

3) No Sunlight - Definately the most upbeat song on the album, at least the music is. The vocals are somewhat sad, and that's the problem with this song for me. The vocals don't really match the song in the mood. For me that made the overall feel of the track a little hazy. Still enjoyable though. 6/10

4) Cath... - To me this song is like the offspring of "Death of an Interior Decorator." It brings the same feeling of a story about marraige, and although the messages aren't exactly the same, the imagery is similar--a tense wedding, where everyone knows nothing is going to turn out how it's supposed to. I love the sound of this song from the first moment to the last. 9.5/10

5) Talking Bird - As the first slow song on the album, it's brilliant. Although I must say, I often find myself skipping over it to get to the faster-pace stuff. Lots of people seem to think this is the weak point of the album, but I disagree. If I'm in the mood, I'd say this is one of Death Cab's strongest slow songs. But it is slow, so I guess it loses some of its commercial appeal. Ben's vocals are simply gorgeous, and I read that they were all kept from one take, which I guess is a first for them. 7/10

6) You Can Do Better Than Me - Eh. This is what I would call the weak point of the album. It reminds me of a Christmas carol, and the lyrics are just that average "pity-me" sort of blah we already hear too much in popular music. 3/10

7) Grapevine Fires - The subtle into is brilliant and the Death Cab reminds us just how unique and spectacular they are with their lyrics. Amazing imagry, I'm not really sure how this song could get much better. 10/10

8) Your New Twin Sized Bed - They took a comical approach with this one, and it didn't turn out half-bad. I watched an interview with Ben and Nick and they were saying that they wanted to write a song about one of the saddest things they had ever seen, one of them being a woman sitting in the grocery store alone eating a piece of birthday cake, and another being a middle-aged man buying a new twin sized bed. It's a creative way to write a song about being single, and I think they nailed it. The bass and the guitar sound perfect in this song, and my favorite moment on the album comes in at about 2:20 in this song. 9/10

9) Long Division - Very typical Death Cab here. Not really a stand-out track for me, but I enjoy it for the most part. It sounds VERY similar to "We laugh indoors," a bit too much. This one almost feels like a wasted track to me because I already heard almost the exact same song on The Photo Album... 5/10

10) Pity And Fear - The drumming on this song is very interseting I think, it sounds a little like it had African influence...that could just be me though. I like it for the most part, but the ending threw me. I guess when they were recording the tape ended and they decided to keep it that way to set up for the next track. It doesn't bother me now, but the first few times through the album it would always startle me. 7/10

11) The Ice is Getting Thinner - So sad. This one really pulls on your heart if you really listen and think about it. I don't listen to it that much, but I don't need to. It's a powerful song that will stick with you after only a few listens. Lovely ending to a lovely album. 8/10

Sorry if that was obnoxiously long. I spend a lot of time listening to this album so I thought I'd spend a while talking about it :)

Please feel free to comment, agree, disagree, whatever...I would like that :)

Stole this from someone...I don't really expect anyone to read it but if you're really bored go for it.

1. How did you get into 29? I don't have a 29 haha so my second 28: Boys Like Girls I'm a 16-year-old girl...thats pretty much the only explaination for that one.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? The Postal Service wow that was a long time ago...probably The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

3. What’s your favorite lyric by 33? Incubus"I dig my toes into the sand/The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds/strewn across a blue blanket/I lean against the wind/Pretend that I am weightless/And in this moment I am happy"

4. What is your favorite album by 49? second 48: Phish I don't listen to them that much but I guess Farmhouse

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? Amon Tobin 2, Out From Out Where and Supermodified

6. What is your favorite song by 50? Maroon 5 none I hate this band and am ashamed I ever liked them.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? Tapes N' Tapes not particularly

8. What is your favorite album by 15? third 13: All-Time Quarterback well given they only have one I'd have to say All-Time Quarterback

9. What is your favorite song by 5? Chris Walla Everyone Needs A Home

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? Snow Patrol yes, many, Run is one of them

11. What is your favorite album by 41? Secret Stars again, they only have one that I know of, so Genealogies

12. What is your favorite song by 10? second 9: Mogwai Ratts of the Capital

13. What is a good memory you have involving 31? Ours resdiscovering them when I was studying for exams

14. What is your favorite song by 38? Aphex Twin I honestly couldn't tell you I haven't listened to him in so long

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? Shout Out Louds mhmm A Track and a Train

16. How many times have you seen 25 live? The Shins never

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? The Beatles God I don't know...the first one I remember would probably be Help!

18. What is your favorite album by 11? Sigur Rós hmmmm I think ()

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? Death Cab for Cutie Ben Gibbard...is that even a question? :)

20. Have you ever seen 14 live? second 13: Voxtrot no I wish

21. What is a good memory involving 27? Goo Goo Dolls It was after a track meet after I had just run the 4 x 400 and I just sat alone in the dark and listened to Iris

22. What is your favorite song by 16? My Morning Jacket I'd say Off the Record

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? second 46: Guided by Voices It's been too long...

24. What is your favorite album by 18? Ben Gibbard his split EP with Andrew Kenny

25. What is your favorite song by 21? PlayRadioPlay! Compliment Each Other Like Colors

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? Nada Surf if I remember correctly Blizzard of '77

27. What is your favorite album by 3? Wilco that's actually a tough one...probably Yankee Hotel Foxtrot because I'm just that original

28. What is you favorite song by 2? Radiohead most of the time, Videotape

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? Beck consciously knowing it was Beck, E-Pro

30. What is you favorite song by 8? Dear and the Headlights Run in the Front, one of my all-time favorites by anyone.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? The Hold Steady never unfortunately

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? American Football probably

33. What is you favorite album by 12? Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

34. What is the worst song by 45? Band of Horses I haven't really heard a bad song by them

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? Carissa's Wierd You Should Be Hated Here

36. What is you favorite album by 48? The Elected the only one I have, Sun, Sun, Sun

37. How many times have you seen 43 live? George Winston none

38. What is you favorite song by 36? The Arcade Fire I would have to say Neon Bible

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? Vampire Weekend Mansard Roof and I immediately fell in love

40. What is your favorite album by 7? Jack JohnsonSleep Through The Static

41. Is there a song by 30 that makes you happy? Thom Yorke surprisingly yes even though he is supposedly depressing, The Eraser makes me happy

42. What is your favorite album by 42? second 41:Cake it would have to be Fashion Nugget

43. What is your favorite song by 24? Bright Eyes that's easy: First Day of My Life

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? 65daysofstatic listening to them in the winter I guess

45. What is your favorite song by 35? Barenaked Ladies hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm The Old Apartment

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? Pinback yes, AFK

47. What is your favorite album by 4? Boards of Canada I'm going to have to go with Geogaddi

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? Gyroscope I don't know...

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 39? Styrofoam I think couches in alleys

50. How many albums do you own by 20?
Yo La Tengo 3 as of yesterday