Kintsugi is very good, I would definitely check it out, and then maybe just a couple of songs off C&K
I listened to Bixby Canyon Bridge when I drove over the Bixby Canyon bridge. I got out fo the car and just sat there listening, it was a cool moment. I like listening to songs about particular places whilst in that particular place
Revisiting Codes and Keys and maybe I’m just in a general DCFC mood rn but honestly I’m digging it way more than I remember
I’ve been revisiting their discography a bunch lately and the one that’s stuck out to me most this time is The Photo Album. Honestly could be my new favorite.
I go through this every winter. And then the first warm day of the year I play Transatlanticism and I'm like nope that one's the best lol V hard to pick a favorite on Photo Album. Sometimes it's that moody groove in We Laugh Indoors, I love the lyrics to Styrofoam Plates and Why You'd Want To Live Here... but then there's that dueling guitar work that i always come back to in Debate Exposes Doubt and I Was A Kaliedoscope. Album just shows a lot of sides of Ben's writing.
I love The Photo Album too, but sadly Ben has said on a few occasions thats his least favorite DCFC record.
haha, whatever Ben. Album turned out amazing to me. I feel like the straightforward simplicity and the fact that some of the drums / song structures were uncharacteristic of Death Cab are strengths of the album, not weaknesses. It flows smoothly as well and doesn't have that disrupted feel of an album that was "forced" or made on a schedule - to me the fact that he feels that way about the recording process, makes me even more impressed. That they churned out a smooth 10-song album with no filler lol.
I actually have never enjoyed the albums before Transatlanticism, I've tried multiple times to get into them but I really just don't like them
Man, Photo Album is my favorite of theirs. Every song is top tier DCFC. Lyrics are some of the best and darkest in their catalog. Bens voice has such a bite to it too.
Yeah idk I rarely ever agree with artists’ perspectives of their own music, so much goes into play when you’re in the position of the creator in terms of how you perceive something you’ve made. I think my biggest draw to the album right now is that it feels perfect for the weather and it also is the closest the band has ever come to getting that “band in a room” sound on record, which I often lean towards in my production preferences. Oh and the drumming might be my favorite overall too.*** I can’t really say for sure if it truly beats Transatlanticism for me, since that was my favorite for so long, but right now The Photo Album is my go-to by far. I’ve listened to it a ridiculous amount in the last week. ***edit: lol I’m reading that article now and they specifically say the drummer was ill-suited for the band and uh... yeah, that’s not really the case at all imo.
Codes & Keys is horrifically under rated, and Kintsugi is great. I find Narrow Stairs to be their weakest release from The Photo Album on.
I kind of agree with Ben on this one, Photo Album is my second least favourite of their post SAA albums.
Oh hey there, I didn't know this thread existed. That 3 album stretch from Transatlanticism through Narrow Stairs is really really special for me. Saw this band play in 2012 with a full orchestral backing and it was absolutely stunning, they released a live recording from that tour on Vinyl and it's the centerpiece of my collection. Also saw both of the Transatlanticism shows they did in 2013. The Portland date was at an outdoor venue, and during the title track it started raining and it was the most surreal thing I've ever experienced at a live show. Definitely cried my eyes out at this show. I started playing bass because bands around me needed a bass player, but Nicks playing really pushed my idea of what bass playing could be. I play the bass line for Summer Skin basically any time I pick up a guitar, that line is engrained in my brain. TLDR: This band is incredibly special to me, and I'm feeling really sentimental about them tonight.
I had to include the bass line in my piano cover of Summer Skin, so fucking great. The bass entrance into Title and Registration is also perfect. In general he’s more of second guitarist than a root note and I love that extra sense of melody. He’s killer on the first 4 songs of Narrow Stairs too. We were both at Bumbershoot 2013!! Transatlanticism start to finish, and a good 25 other bands I enjoyed + several beloved comedians + a week exploring Seattle + made 300 dollars that week just by street performing. What a fucking trip. Still the best vacation of my life.
The bass line to I Will Possess Your Heart is one of my favourites ever, alongside Done by Camp Cope, Superstition by Stevie Wonder, and Sic Transit Gloria by Brand New.
Boy, it's been a while since I listened to a break-up record with actual reason, but Transatlanticism is just gutting me right now.
Sorry you're going through tough times man, but at least it's better that something is there for you than not.