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31Knots Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Narrow Stairs
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The indie rockers' follow-up to their platinum album "Plans" features an eight-and-a-half-minute-long song.
| LABEL: | Atlantic |
| RELEASE DATE: | 13 May 2008 |
| DISCS: | 1 disc |
| GENRE(S): | Rock, Indie, Pop |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this album is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 40 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Colin G gave it a6:
When I read that the official Death Cab fan club had reacted negatively to this new release, I knew that it had some promise. And I'm really happy to see Death Cab coming back to the promise that they showed on "Transatlanticism" but, unlike that album, many of the tracks on this one fail to continue the momentum that the more introspective ones introduce. When listening, skipping around a bit actually makes the album sound much better. The opener, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," opens up an atmospheric layer to the album, as you follow the lyrics under the namesake Big Sur bridge to the ocean, carried on by the following "I Will Possess Your Heart," a track which has received so much negative attention for being long and drawn-out. I will admit that the bassline becomes a bit monotonous, but it also works well to set up the drama in the rest of the song. But, after that, things fall apart. Skipping onto "Cath..." and then to "Grapevine Fires" would be best if you liked the first two tracks, as it almost as if tracks like "Long Division" and "No Sunlight" were added to placate the more pop-friendly fans that joined the party on "Plans." But kudos to the band for actually writing an album that their fan-base will likely pan as too ethereal and spaced (read: boring). It indicates that there remains hope for a band that many had thought lost to the MTV/Clear Channel money machine. Maybe the next album.
Spencer V gave it a9:
I just don't get what critics want from this band. This is another Death Cab masterpiece.
Tom H. gave it an8:
Unexpected excellent album.
ae gave it a10:
Joseph- no way. transantlantisism or photo album is their best. and Chad - such great heights is postal service, not death cab. Weirdfish - my god you insult me they are NOT emo... and Sam - if Cath is any song it is death of an interior decorator, not tiny vessels. Fools.
milli gave it an8:
Well - this album is great. very sad though - all the songs have a great sadness to them. almost feels similar to something about airplanes - and gibbard's voice sounds a little different, but i can't put my finger on it. I'm flying interstate to see them in august. ..providing I can get a ticket as the freakin OC made my fave indie alternative band popular!!! grrr.
Limey Q. gave it a2:
The most disappointing album of the year so far. Mediocre songs played clumsily with cheesy lyrics and bad arrangements. They sound like a second rate Wilco at their worst.
Colin B. gave it a9:
Almost the masterpiece that was Transatlanticism, Narrow Stairs sticks to your ears like peanut butter as it bounces proudly between consistently excellent tracks. Unlike the wildly inconsistent "Plans" from 2005, There are no missteps here. Favorites include the unpredictable yet exhilarating "Bixby Canyon Bridge," the pop perfection of "Cath," the haunting "Grapevine Fires," and the sad, solemn, and intriguing "The Ice Is Getting Thinner," a less catchy but more gripping version of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark." I'm not too bothered by the silly conclusion of "Pity and Fear," which seems to have everyone else rattled, but to me it is the only smudge on an otherwise solid album. Definitely a refreshing album in what has been an otherwise poor musical year.
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