Bad opinions • Page 131

If you don't mind, I will be stealing the phrase "giant marshmellow of reverb" in the future.

 

How are we talking about all this hard rock and not mentioning Chevelle

They have like six whole songs that are good. Hahah

 

Chevelle is solid as all get out, new record bumps tbh.

 

Okay this post made me put the opener from this album on and I wasn't really expecting to enjoy it, but not only are you right about the production but I am now listening to this entire album lol

 

Controversial: Narrow Stairs is Death Cab For Cutie's second best album.

Nobody ever agrees with that. I think it was very inventive and daring for them, some incredible production on that record, the instrumental detail remains exciting throughout.

 

its up there. its certainly their most underrated, and its got a handful of their best songs scattered throughout

 

Not a huge fan of that album tbh but I've seen quite a few people label it their best.

pre-2001 death cab forever

 

Decided I'd strike while the iron is hot.

This week's classic artist:
https://forum.chorus.fm/threads/steely-dan.5443/

 

Maybe not my second favorite but yeah it's really good and I totally agree about the production. Also, Cath is up there for me in terms of DCFC songs, and is easily my favorite single they put out.

 

i do love pre2001 dcfc tho

 

I see a lot of people bash "I will possess your heart" and I'm like wtf that song is a jammmmmmm

"Cath" and "Grapevine Fires" are highlights too. I love how little of it really sounds like other Death Cab. Seems like they took a departure from their indie rock cocoon (though between Cath, Bixby, and Long Division there's plenty of remnants of it) and took a page out of several different kinds of classic popular music through the ages from Motown to chamber pop to tropicalia.

 

I disagree, but only because NS is my favorite Death Cab album. I have a lot of personal attachment to that one, and it's the one I return to the most.

 

Narrow Stairs is my favorite album of theirs. They may objectively have better, but I love it the most.

 

Facts through Narrow Stairs is an incredibly solid run. I don't dislike their last two or their debut, but those are clearly above the rest for me.

No Sunlight is another song I don't really see much love for, but I think is a gem.

 

"Cath" is absolutely a top 5 DCFC song

 

To me you could only go wrong with that band once Chris Walla lost interest. The newest record was a bump above Codes and Keys but neither can hold a candle.

I looooove Airplanes and Facts, both are very inventive guitar music with unique chord patterns and melodies and moods throughout. But I do feel like they got into their groove around Photo Album and became more complete and professional songwriters, and better at making thematic records with excellent flow. Knowing when enough detail is enough and embracing a more sordid and naked simplicity. I think it's important that Death Cab kind of simplified and started focusing on what they do best - jangly guitar melodies, grooving bass beats, and remarkably relatable emotional themes that come across through Ben's wide and well travelled vocal range.

Even still, would give both those early records at least a 7.5 out of 10 for how well constructed they are musically and despite Ben sounding a bit confused and directionless as a writer. They kind of reflect indie rock at the time, sounding a fair amount like Built To Spill back then, but adding a certain component of literacy and this idea of being intelligent and aware but still unable to control your emotions. I love the way Ben so transparently represents the role of anxiety in young peoples lives thru his early lyrics and vocal style.

 

hell yes!!

 

airplanes, facts, trans, photo. Don't care about rest besides half of plans

 

but narrow stairs is soooo good

 

dcfc is one of those bands whose albums i would all consider great, but when im listing my favorite bands, i never think to consider them. not sure why that is. but yeah narrow stairs is awesome, half of that album would probably make up half my "favorite dcfc songs" list

 

Idk if I've listened to a full DCFC album and today I listened to a JEW other than Bleed American album for the first time

 

wow. which one and whatd you think

 

I think it was Clarity and he liked it

 

nice. clarity is a classic

 

Transatlanticism is their best, for multitude of reasons:

1) production really defined the "Death Cab sound". Instead of cutting out all the muddy lower frequency ranges in the guitars like so many major label rock albums do in the pursuit of clarity and that big stadium sound... they took advantage of them in the studio with some reverb to give that album a mood and a setting that no other record has. You can't hear the opening hum of the New Year or the quivering guitar feedback in the title track without immediately picturing a foggy, cloudy sunset on the Puget sound from Seattle's skyline.

2) they really set the tone for a lot of indie rock to follow, especially since they had been almost totally DIY up to that point and kind of built their own fame as the shy, reserved band who connects with people who feel like their lives and personalities are unspectacular. Really spoke to the average American teen with seemingly unattainable dreams and feeling left out socially.

3) hit me at the RIGHT TIME in my life. Moved to a small town in the middle of high school, had trouble making friends, and I fell in love with a girl who lived pretty far from me. The album seemed to tell our story in ways.