3 ms·

I haven't given it a critical listen yet, but have run through it a few times since I discovered it's existence (yesterday). I was apprehensive when I found ou

by Jgrubb 12y ago

I haven't given it a critical listen yet, but have run through it a few times since I discovered it's existence (yesterday). I was apprehensive when I found out (yesterday) that Walla had split, but it's reassuringly solid so far to me. What's up with the marketing though? I stumbled on this new one in Spotify trying to find some older stuff that I don't have.

aaronbrethorst 12y ago
"You've Haunted Me All My Life" and "Hold No Guns" feel like they were already done (and better) on Plans and on Ben Gibbard's solo album. "Ingenue" and "Binary Sea" feel sort of 'meh' to me. "Binary Sea" in particular feels like a love ballad rehash of Transatlanticism minus the heart-on-the-sleeve nature that the original had. I think "No Room in Frame" and "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" are great, even though the latter sounds like a spruced up version of "Blacking out the Friction" ;)
- tiles 12y ago
  I love the idea of comparing an artist's songs to thoughts they've expressed in their earlier works. Even if there is repetition, it helps to see their growth and trajectory.
rtw2101 12y ago
agreed about the marketing. i follow a lot of indie blogs so i had heard about the new record, but very little considering it's death cab. they tend to come up in the mainstream a decent amount as well, but i haven't seen anything. re: walla's departure, i think they'll be ok without him. gibbard is unique and the leader but to me, the saving grace of this band will always be jason mcgerr. he's one of the great drummers and creative forces in this genre today.
- Jgrubb 12y ago
  Absolutely agree. Like the drummer for My Morning Jacket, he totally makes the band for me. The earlier stuff is good, but to put grooves that creative behind already good songs is the sauce...
  - rtw2101 12y ago
    for sure, pat hallahan rocks. jim james is one of the great frontmen, though. not sure what they'd be without him. we have similar tastes!

by Jgrubb 12y ago

aaronbrethorst 12y ago

"You've Haunted Me All My Life" and "Hold No Guns" feel like they were already done (and better) on Plans and on Ben Gibbard's solo album. "Ingenue" and "Binary Sea" feel sort of 'meh' to me. "Binary Sea" in particular feels like a love ballad rehash of Transatlanticism minus the heart-on-the-sleeve nature that the original had. I think "No Room in Frame" and "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive" are great, even though the latter sounds like a spruced up version of "Blacking out the Friction" ;)

tiles 12y ago
I love the idea of comparing an artist's songs to thoughts they've expressed in their earlier works. Even if there is repetition, it helps to see their growth and trajectory.

rtw2101 12y ago

agreed about the marketing. i follow a lot of indie blogs so i had heard about the new record, but very little considering it's death cab. they tend to come up in the mainstream a decent amount as well, but i haven't seen anything. re: walla's departure, i think they'll be ok without him. gibbard is unique and the leader but to me, the saving grace of this band will always be jason mcgerr. he's one of the great drummers and creative forces in this genre today.

Jgrubb 12y ago
Absolutely agree. Like the drummer for My Morning Jacket, he totally makes the band for me. The earlier stuff is good, but to put grooves that creative behind already good songs is the sauce...
- rtw2101 12y ago
  for sure, pat hallahan rocks. jim james is one of the great frontmen, though. not sure what they'd be without him. we have similar tastes!