Customer Reviews

We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I became a fan of Death cab after the release of Transatlanticism. I then checked out their older CD's, and I was amazed at the way DCFC has changed over time. After listening to every album, "We have the facts" is my favorite. This CD offers more of a low-fi sound, as opposed to "Transatlanticism". The best part is the story it tells, which is also unique to this album.

1. Title Track - Great intro to this album, very emotional. 9/10

2. Employment Pages - Has a more positive sound than Title Track, good guitar work. 8/10

3. For What Reason - Perhaps my favorite track on the album, the vocals and guitar are both stunning. 10/10

4. Lowell, Ma - Lyrics that are sad yet also fun to sing, and a killer drum beat that will stay in your head for days! 9/10

5. 405 - Has a sad sound to it, even though the guitar is in a higher tone. "You keep twisting the truth.." 8/10

6. Little Fury Bugs - My least favorite from the album, very sad but still good. 6/10

7. Company Calls - An upbeat change from "Little Fury Bugs", it makes you want to get up and dance. The chorus is almost like a happy yell. 10/10

8. Company Calls Epilogue - Similar lyrics as "Company Calls" but now with a very solemn tone. 8/10

9. No Joy in Mudville - Very sad and slow song that builds up to the chorus. Gibbard's cries will raise your hair. 9/10

10. Scientist Studies - More happy sounding than the previous few, excellent guitar/keyboard and a pleasant way to end this 5-star album. 9/10

If you would like an explanation to the meaning of this album, check out the review by "andy lowes" or go to www.fakejazz.com.

DCFC best full length and a must have for fans of good music and great songwriting. Seemingly more up beat than Something About Airplanes but mabey thats because of the recording quality. Beautiful musical arangements and great track sequencing. Ben Gibbard is the Earnest Hemingway of songwriting. His heart breaking lyrics and whinningly graceful vocals will automatically make you remeber the girl that broke your heart and want to invite her to coffee to rehash the past. If you find yourself listening to "Title Track" and think that its just a left over from Something About Airplanes just give it a minute and you will see the song and this band blossom. Every song on this album is great but the best are "Title Track", "405","Company Calls", which segways into the slower"Company Calls Epilogue", "No Joy in Mudville", the songwriting on every song of this album is better than anything to come out of late and mabey ever. So buy this album and call that old girlfriend of yours and tell her how bad she [messed] up your life.

I must admit when I bought this CD a year ago I listened to it after buying and falling in love with Transatlanticism. I was dissappointed as at the time it seemed to lack that raw and wonderfully dreamy quality Trans had... As my tastes changed and broadened to more rock and harder stuff my Death Cab and Postal Service albums sort of collected dust for a time. I have recently gotten into a more mellow mood, bought their new incredible CD Plans, and decided to play and give "We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes" another chance and boy was I pleasantly surprised! I love this CD for what it is! It is unique and humble! The vocals are down to earth and wonderfully delightful as all of Ben Gibbard's are. The lyrics are poetic and catchy since Death Cab is famous for the emotional and brilliant lyrics! The guitars are jangy and catchy to a lovely degree. The bass is just as delicious as always. The drumlines are intelligent and jazzy! The melodies are wonderful and intelligent and the bridges and breakdowns are incredible and powerful! Death Cab For Cutie has always been and will always be one of the best mellow indie atmospheric sounding bands ever and "We Have The Facts..." is just another golden example of this! Many argue that this is their best work ever. I personally love all of their albums the same, and that is a good thing! Picking your favorite Death Cab For Cutie album would be like picking which of your child you love the most to me, it's impossible to choose when you love them all so incredibly much! I loved their music when I first heard it instantly and still have a true burning passion for it to this day! Their music has sort of become a soundtrack to different important events of my life over time and everytime I hear different songs of theirs I can't help but feel the emotions I felt a year ago. If it were up to me, I'd buy this CD a million times again if I were you guys!
Peace,
Ty

It takes awhile of this album to sink its claws into you but, when it does,look out! If you are looking for a slam bang hit and run rock assault this is not it. But is that so bad? After a few listens, lyrics catch in your head and riffs become indelible. Clearly on their own path, Death Cab create their own unique slant on things. Seeing an advantage to restraint and sudden spikes of power, they create an universe of frustration and isolation which shows so many shades beyond punk. However their simplicity shows an appreciation for the directness of punk. You can tell that they have worked their way through the louder faster school and found the real world outside. This is mature music made by ex-punks who are not afraid of melody. Pushing to the far side of slowcore like Codeine and the like, the band has found natural connections to space rock. Make no mistake though, DCFC are not coming through a narcotic haze. Just when songs like Little Fury Bugs or No Joy in Mudville leave you in a melancholy drift, songs like Company Calls or Scientific Studies jolt you into the rush of unstoppable life. This is mid-tempo rock for the sober or lightly drunk. This is a music of reflection not escape. It is wonderful to see that there is someone making music like this. So if you want a stripped down slow music that has the heft of a collection of short stories this is your album.

Okay, I've owned this album for about 5 months now, and it just keeps getting better with each listening. I also have "Something about Airplanes," a slightly more rockin' album, but not as polished. "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes" has quirky and creative lyrics...read them all because you'll appreciate their interesting way of saying simple things. Benjamin Gibbard has a beautiful, high, soft voice that you will enjoy if you like softer styles. And Christopher Walla, the bass player, is super duper cute! I am ultra-impressed with DCFC because they originated at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA...my hometown...and the coolest place ever!

The best tracks are "Company Calls" and "Company Calls Epilogue." They are sad songs about showing up drunk to the ex's wedding to the new boyfriend. How tragic these songs are, but so good. Lyrics such as this make the album what it is: "Crashing through the parlor doors, what was your first reaction? Screaming, drunk, disorderly: I'll tell you mine. You were the one but I can't spit it out when the date's been set. The white routine to be ingested inaccurately." Wow! If that doesn't make you cry for this guy, I don't know what will.

Also, if you ever get the chance to see DCFC live, do so. They are even better live because they have a tremendous amount of energy; you can tell that they are having tons of fun!

So the moral of this story is buy this album.

Every complaint anyone could have possibly had about DCFC's debut, "Something About Airplanes," has been answered with "We Have the Facts..." As always, the songs are excellently written and meticulously arranged, the lyrics sure-footed and reflective. The most obvious improvement here is Chris Walla's production values; "We Have the Facts" trembles and sings, crystal clear, a world away from the previous album's frustrating (if charming) basement din.

If you're already a DCFC fan, this album still comes as a revelation, like finally reading a beloved foreign novel in its original language. If you're one of those who couldn't see past the flaws of the debut, I hope you like the taste of crow. If you've not yet heard this band, I envy you what you're about to experience.

(Editor's Note: Article written by son, Trevor.)


Being a giant fan of Death Cab For Cutie, this was my fifth album by them (sixth, if you count Directions.) I would have to say, this would be my favorite album by them. Everything this band has put out I have been thoroughly impressed by, but something about this one will make you listen to it over and over. The best way to describe it is to go through every song.


1. From the moment you start it, "Title Track" will bring pleasure to your ears. While it is a simple song, something about it you fall in love with. The muffled effect in the beginning and the transition to a clarity after the first chorus adds great effect to the song. However, after about ten or fifteen listens, this song will lose appeal. [4/5]


2. "The Employment Pages" is probably my favorite song on the album. You can listen to this song on repeat for hours, and you'll never tire of it. Though it does have a very slow tempo, the simplicity of the vocals and complexity of the music is an impressive blend. [5/5]

3. "For What Reason" does not particularly stand out in the album, but is none the less a great song. I do agree with some people who said that alot of the songs on this album sound the same, for this and the next track I always mix up. However, it is a great up-tempo tune after "The Employment Pages". I love the effects used on the song. [5/5]

4. One of the catchiest, if not the catchiest song on the album. "Lowell, MA" is a track that no matter what mood you're in will make you grin. The chorus will be immediately drilled into your head the first time you hear it. Melodic guitar riffs and an interesting drum beat make the musical aspect of the song more appealing as well. [5/5]

5. I would say that "405" is the most over-produced song on the album. Though I've never heard it live, I imagine it would be much better, for it would lack all of the studio effects. It is a good song, but needs a better peak as well. [4/5]

6. "Little Fury Bugs" brings the tempo of the album back down at the right time. I would say it is the softest song on the album. The vocals have an odd sound over the single guitar that lasts about half-way through the song, yet it sounds great. When the drums come in, it definitely adds some more interest to the song. Smooth transition to the next song. [5/5]

7. When "Company Calls" builds after the segway of "Little Fury Bugs", you will feel replenished. It opens up the true second half of the album after a breakdown. Melodic guitar riffs stand out particularly, as this song is a great display of the entire band's instrumental skill. The vocals soar easily over, especially during the chorus. The buildups and breakdowns of the bridge are amazing. [5/5]

8. "Company Calls Epilogue" is a lyrical continuation of "Company Calls." However, the musical composition will remind you strongly of "Title Track" and "Little Fury Bugs", but not in a good way. It seems a repetition of past songs. However, the mellow music during the vocal build of the chorus adds a nice effect. [4/5]

9. "No Joy In Mudville" is an extremely unique song. Though the longest song on the album, and maybe the slowest, it fails to bore. The drums are extremely simplistic, but have a catchy beat, and are probably the shining strengh of the song. The building guitar and use of what sounds to be a xylophone adds, as to make a song you've never quite heard anything like before. The lyrics tell an amazing emotional tale of the desire to leave and start in a new town in upstate (assumably, New York.) My personal favorite. [5/5]

10. The end of the album. The volume swells add a great sound to the song. The vocals are great. I love the lyrics, as well."Scientist Studies" truly brings the album to a great close. Instead of leaving you mellowed and depressed, the album's end makes you grin, and give you the urge to hit that play button one more time. [5/5]


Overall, We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes is in my opinion the best album Death Cab For Cutie has ever put out. For other true Death Cab For Cutie fans, I'd also recommend Transatlanticism. Not quite a similar album, but it is truly amazing. Comparable songs on it would be "Expo '86" and "The New Year". If you're looking for new Death Cab For Cutie, buy that. Or, if you're a fan of those songs on Transatlanticism, buy this album. As lead vocalist and guitarist Ben Gibbard played drums on all songs but "The Employment Pages" and "Company Calls Epilogue", I would say he is the best drummer the band has ever had. His skill far surpasses the previous drummer who quit during the early sessions of the album. If you are a musician such as myself into a more mellow, but still complex style of music, this album will be influential on your writing. Just to clarify though, this is not an "emo" album, and if you are buying it expecting it to be, it is not at all. Also, if you're looking for new music of similar styles, I'd recommend you check out Straylight Run and Elliott Smith. Hope this review helped you!