Album Description: It's no exaggeration to say 'Something About Airplanes' is the future of music. Melodic pop that falls somewhere between American Analog Set & Imperial Teen. Elsinor/Barsuk.
Amazon.com: The first instrument you notice upon listening to Something About Airplanes is the cello on "Bend to Squares." It fades out, soon enough replaced by the familiar electric guitar, but it sets this album's offbeat mood. Experimentation and pop hooks strike a perfect balance on this debut from the Bellingham, Washington-based Death Cab for Cutie. The quartet follow in the fine tradition of area emo-pop bands like Modest Mouse, 764-HERO, and Built to Spill, but it's hard not to notice bits of Quasi and the Beatles popping up. Of course, the Death Cab formula is a bit different--"President of What?" is driven by Farfisa, not Fender; "Champagne from a Paper Cup" is a slow-burner--there's not much pop glee found in a song that begins "I think I'm Drunk Enough to Drive You Home Now"; and--every once in a while--the oddball vocal sample kicks in (presumably from a long-forgotten movie, a la vintage Jawbreaker). It all makes for a brilliant debut and a fine addition to the canon of Northwest emo-pop late-'90s style. --Jason Verlinde
I need more Death Cab!!! What a joy it is to be turned on or to discover music from an artist you're hearing for the first time. I literally stumbled onto Death Cab For Cutie, just passing time in an FYE. I picked up "Something About Airplanes" and thought I'd give a random listen. Needless to say, the incredible melodies, and compelling lyrical content immediately got me open. DCFC bears a strong resemblance to another favorite band of mine, Built To Spill. Lead singer Ben Gibbard's delivery is almost dead on for BTS's Doug Martsch's wailing, melancholy tone. That's a good thing to me, as the same things that drew me in to BTS also seemed to have me ready to expand the Death Cab collection to include their other releases. But S.A.A is a great place to start if you're new to this band like me, "Bend To Squares", "Champagne From A Paper Cup", and "Amputations" are all perfect examples of indy rock done right. The titles of the songs are something else. (The Face That Launched 1000 S****??) I've heard from a lot of DCFC fans who say that this isn't even close to their best album. (Plans was mentioned a lot) If that's the case, my pockets might be in real trouble. Looking forward to the next time they're in Philly!
Overall review of Death Cab For Cutie This style of music is what I have been looking for my entire life, I just haven't known. This band has brought something to the table that I really enjoy. The very first sample I heard of Ben Gibbard was, "Don't wake me, I plan on sleeping in". That barely audible tune that I heard while off the coast of Africa is what set it off. I searched and searched and now have almost all of their CDs. I Love Plans, it's an amazing CD. Translantisicm trails it, but not by much. I am now listening to Something About Airplanes. I take each CD one at a time. I will listen to only one CD, over and over until I am familiar with all of the tracks, it is then that I decide on what I think about the CD, I sort of invest time into each CD. I'm still working on "Airplanes". It has it's ups and downs, while the other two I mentioned are constant ups. Of course all reviews are opinions, so give all of Death Cab's albums a try to see what you think. I look forward finishing "Airplanes" and starting with the next.
Great Product! If you like Death Cab, you'll love this CD! It is a good reference to before Death Cab somewhat sold out. I'd reccomend this to anyone!
this has nothing to do with airplanes This C.D. is probably the best constructed of Death Cab For Cutie's albums in my opinion, for it has the most variety and has more complex rock than on some of its other more soft releases. Its lyrics aren't quite as well articulated as those on the album "Transatlanticism", but it's hard to remember that while paying attention to the catchy rhythms and sound effects that transpire in nearly every featured song. Styles range from long mystic tunes like "Line of Best Fit" to fairly energetic ones like the one I'd recommend most: "President of What". This track has good lyrics and rhythms, as well as a unique guitar progression that is rather catchy. Besides this song, most of the songs have a rippling guitar effect or some sort of technological jest to go with the music. Negative sides of the album are that the C.D. has nothing to do with airplanes, it has unrequired language in some instances, and does not have loads and loads of interesting melodies. Still, some tracks are likeable and if nothing else admirable for there uniqueness in comparison to the other featured songs. I would not suggest the purchase of this album, but overall it isn't horribly bad. I recommend: President of What? Champagne From A Paper Cup
Favorite DCFC album When you listen to a cd, why do you listen to it? Simply because it sounds cool, or you enjoy how it relaxes you, or it fits a certain atmosphere? If that's how you listen to cd's, don't bother getting this album. I wouldn't want you to. This album is best enjoyed by those who listen to something because they get the feeling inside of it. I don't know why so many people here call this album pop and lighthearted. I completely disagree. The lyrics are not particularly dark, as opposed to maybe, lyrics from Alice in Chains' "Dirt", but they aren't exactly happy either. I absolutely love them. "Sleep Spent" is a great song. There is a lot more to this album than everyone seems to let on. The key to DCFC's music is that it takes a lot of listening before you actually get it, and the emotional value begins to sink in. I have been listening for three years, and just in the last six months or so, has the meaning of their music, the emotion behind it, the depression, sadness, and confusion finally begin to show themselves through the tone of Ben's voice and the guitar riffs. I'm not suggesting this is a depressing album, in fact it's rather comforting. Most of their albums are.
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