We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes

Death Cab for Cutie

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Barsuk
• ASIN: B00004RI7B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,831 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo Fi

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On their debut album, 1999's Something About Airplanes, Death Cab for Cutie proved there's a reason why Northwest music critics continue to sing their praises. The foursome combined the emo sounds of Modest Mouse and 764-Hero with an inventive, and often sly, sentimentality. It worked wonders, but still sounded a little too lo-fi. Luckily, on We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes the group has figured out all the production nuances that flawed that auspicious debut. The opening "Title Track" begins by sounding both crappy and shallow, but the band is merely pulling your leg; two minutes later, the tune expands into a gorgeous, well-produced masterpiece. The album never looks back. Ben Gibbard's songwriting continues to evolve--"Company Calls" segues into, what else, the slower "Company Calls Epilogue"--while the simple lyrics of "For What Reason" and "405" tell infectious stories that demand repeated listenings. Proof positive the Northwest is still churning out great music. --Jason Verlinde

Product Description

A delicious and head-sticking mix of drummer Ben Gibbard's heartbreaking vocal melodies and reflective lyrics of transition and loss, punctuated by energized and beautiful playing from Chris Walla and Nick Harmer. Barsuk Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slow indie rock, artistic at all levels, October 3, 2001

By	Chad A. Lauterbach "chadl2" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD by Death Cab really turned me onto them. I first purchased their older Something About Airplane album; and although I liked it, it didn't get me jumping up and down for the band. The first album I found either too slow, or slow with lack of intrigue. This album has just enough mid-paced stuff to mix it up, and ultimately the finest stuff (the slow stuff) is complemented this way. Company Calls and its sequel track are highlights for me. Very fun lyricaly and adictive music. The contrast between the mood and speed of the songs really gets me excited about this band and interested in the music.

If you are into mid-fi, slow indie rock you can't go wrong with this. Really reminds me of Pedro the Lion, maybe Luna if you lose the spacey sounds, maybe Modest Mouse on sedatives (but then again I make weird comparisons.) True music lovers must and will (I'm sure) check this stuff out.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best death cab cd, March 13, 2005

By	andy lowes (st louis, mo) - See all my reviews

We have the facts is definately my favorite death cab cd. The songwriting is phenominal as is the music which directly corresponds to gibbards lyrics. The whole idea of doing a concept album is brilliant. If anyone doesnt know the concept of the album here it is. most of it is from fakejazz.com

"Title Track" opens as he shares an evening and a cigarette with a female friend. The night of conversation turns physical. Before the moment has even started, Gibbard is already into regret, but he retains some hope.
That hope is quickly killed two songs later in "For What Reason." The song takes a nimble bass line, harsh guitars, and lots of noise to add to the bitterness of Gibbard lashing out at the woman for being "so slick with that sarcastic slew of phrases like 'I thought you knew,' while keeping me in hot pursuit." What he does not know is that she is engaged.

Hopes and desires crushed, the story takes a detour as Gibbard takes to the road for the songs "Lowell, MA" (named after Jack Kerouac's hometown for obvious reasons), "405," and "Little Fury Bugs," using the free time for introspection.

The climax of the story happens over the pair "Company Calls" and "Company Calls Epilogue". Now the singer continues the thread, pleading for the woman to "destroy this mock shrine." However, Gibbard isn't able to convey these thoughts. "The figures on your wedding cake" do not represent him so he decides he must keep his distance, "mail(ing) a postcard sending greetings from the Eastern Block" instead of crashing the wedding. But he can't just sit there. In the "...Epilogue," the guitar sound becomes almost mournful as Gibbard shows up at the wedding, merely a guest at the celebration for the death of his dreams. He wishes he could drunkenly crash the festivities and let his feelings be known, but he can't and won't "spit it out when the date's been set. The white routine to be ingested inaccurately."

The songwriting and guitar-work on this album death cab's best. The production is also amazing, with the vocals sound as if they were coming right from his head. Death cab has not made and album that tops this yet. Hopefully they will on their next cd, which i am sure will be great because death cab only puts out great albums.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great follow up, June 12, 2000

By	M. Boonstra - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Death Cab For Cutie will always be a band, I think, who release an album that takes a while to grow on me. When it finally does, I can't stop listening to it. This record's production is miles ahead of "something about airplanes". DCC has also dropped the beatlesque moments and optioned for a much more subdued approach. The result are songs ranging from modestlty upbeat, to the very downbeat. DCC does this wonderful thing where they make me keep thinking a song will eventually pick up, but it never happens! I like this. There may be influences, but the sound is really unique and satisfying.

Comparisons to Built to Spill I've seen should warn listeners that they may love BTS, but this album may not have enough get-up-and-go for them. Still, this record had held my attention much longer than BTS's latest effort.