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Track Listings
| 1. Bixby Canyon Bridge |
| 2. I Will Possess Your Heart |
| 3. No Sunlight |
| 4. Cath... |
| 5. Talking Bird |
| 6. You Can Do Better Than Me |
| 7. Grapevine Fires |
| 8. Your New Twin Sized Bed |
| 9. Long Division |
| 10. Pity And Fear |
| 11. The Ice Is Getting Thinner |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Narrow Stairs might be the first album recorded by Death Cab for Cutie since Ben Gibbard's former solo project went unexpectedly stratospheric, but Gibbard hasn't let it go to his head. Oh, OK, maybe a little: lead-off single "I Will Possess Your Heart" is an eight minute jam that speeds off on one long, luminous curve before Gibbard's distinctive vocals swing in, sweet and plaintive as ever. Even when indulging their grander visions, though, Death Cab for Cutie are still familiar as the same band that wrote those fragile, winsome songs back before teen drama The OC came knocking. Never knowingly overstated, built from driving rhythms, flourishes of piano and intricate melodies, Narrow Stairs builds grand, emotionally loaded narratives from small, subtle parts. "Your New Twin Sized Bed" hides a deftly articulated tale of heartbreak and loneliness amidst soothing tangles of guitar, while "You Can Do Better than Me" is a sweet miniature that's part Pet Sounds orchestration, part wistful Dear John. This isn't, as Gibbard would previously hint, a dissonant or especially adventurous album. It proves, however, that Death Cab can extend their scope without diluting the pathos or energy of their music, and it not only sounds great, but bodes well for the future. --Louis Pattison
Product Description
After relentless touring, performances on Saturday Night Live, and appearing on the cover of Spin and Paste Magazines, Death Cab for Cutie brings us Narrow Stairs. Following up their DVD collection, Directions, which sold over 30,000 copies and their platinum selling album, Plans, was no easy task but Narrow Stairs has already been praised by MTV.com as the band’s most daring and adventurous effort to date.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When Death Cab for Cutie signed to Atlantic Records a few years back, many people expected the worse. In the indie music world, where signing to a major record label is often met with cries of "selling out" and steadfast declarations of "their old stuff was better," Death Cab's transition was proof that a major record deal doesn't alway signal the end of a band's better days. Plans wound up being a beautiful album; not near as exciting or breathtaking as its predecessor, but still drenched in Ben Gibbard's unparalleled lyricism and Chris Walla's flawless production. It was an album that found the band's rough edges smoothed out - their more hopeful moments set aside to make way for those of self-doubt and longing.
Narrow Stairs takes the opposite approach. Walla is once again behind the production, but the album has a much more natural quality to it (a feature that not only contrasts Plans, but Walla's own solo album and his work with The Decemberists and Tegan and Sara). As such, it feels more like the band's earlier work: unrestrained and unrefined, free of nit-picking and studio perfectionism. The raw, guitar distortion of album-opener, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," would never exist on an album like Plans, and it's refreshing to hear the band breaking free from the self-imposed restrictions of their previous record.
Likewise, the album's first single "I Will Possess Your Heart" is well over 8 minutes long, something that I can't imagine Atlantic Records smiling on, especially being a single. The song seems hand-crafted to be the opening number to a live performance, with instrumentation slowly building over Nick Harmer's infecting bass line until finally, after 4 1/2 minutes, it's just Gibbard spouting his equally intoxicating, "You gotta spend some time love/ you gotta spend some time with me." Like most, I wasn't sold on the song on the first listen, but after spending some time with it (get it?) it grew on me. It still may not have been the wisest choice for a first single, but doing so seems to be more about making a statement than a marketing decision.
"No Sunlight" is, oddly enough, a very sunny pop/rock song with an indisputably rockin' chorus. Like a good Of Montreal song, its easy-going composition masks its darker lyrics. During the chorus, Gibbard sings, "It disappeared at the same speed/ the idealistic things I believe/ the optimist died inside of me." "Cath..." is equally as depressing, telling the story of a woman who marries out of the fear of growing old alone. Ben's lyrics are as impressive as they always are, lamenting, "Cath/ it seems that you live in someone else's dream/ in a hand-me-down wedding dress," later noting that, "the whispers that it won't last/ run up and down the pews." The song's forward guitars and bouncy instrumentation make it an easy favorite on the album, and one that I simply can't find fault with.
"Talking Bird" is a strange ballad about a parrot, or other bird that can talk. Gibbard trudges through the song with his typically melancholic musings, but knowing the subject matter really makes the song lose any effect that it may have had otherwise. "You Can Do Better Than Be" bursts out of the gate with such fanfare, that it seems more appropriate for a parade than a Death Cab album. Ben begins the song by singing, "I'm starting to feel we stayed together out of fear," over heavily-structured, syncopated snares and bass drums. It's a very cool sounding song and one of the few times on Narrow Stairs in which the band feels like they're trying to branch out.
By far, the album's standout track is "Grapevine Fires," in which Gibbard tells the story of a peaceful moment in the midst of a wildfire. The song is absolutely gorgeous from the start, with soft instrumentation, lush harmonies, and vivid imagery carrying it to its stunning conclusion ("The firemen worked in double shifts/ with prayers for rain on their lips"). "Your New Twin Sized Bed" is more standard Death Cab fare. As such, one could probably figure out the story of the song based on the title alone. It's a pretty track, but nothing that requires any real discussion or dissection. "Long Division" winds up being a much more pleasing song. With an irresistible, upbeat, guitar-heavy arrangement, you're almost guaranteed to sing along to the chorus ("To be the remain, remain, remain, remainder!") and maybe even bust out with a little air drumming. I know I have.
"Pity and Fear" is a song that never really goes anywhere. It doesn't build, change, or affect in any notable manner, and may be doomed to skip button of many CD players. Unfortunately, not even some admittedly cool guitaring in the track's final minute can redeem it. "The Ice Is Getting Thinner" ends the album on a high, if not sorrowful, note. Gibbard describes two lovers drifting apart with such beauty, that it's difficult to even think of a song that could do it better. He croons, "We buried our love/ in a wintery grave/ a lump in the snow/ was all that remained." It is a typical, soft, reflective comedown track to be sure, but you simply can't deny the brilliance of it.
In many ways, Narrow Stairs is a return to form for Death Cab for Cutie. That being said, it doesn't necessarily show them retreading the same path again, either. What Narrow Stairs accomplishes is much more subtle and graceful. It portrays a band embracing their roots while moving towards the future. With their success and notoriety already achieved, the band challenged themselves to make an album that doesn't rely on perfection in the studio, songwriting, or performances; but one that is honest, exciting and natural. It's not exactly reinventing the wheel, but Narrow Stairs is far from a sell out or a disappointment. It is simply another solid album from a band who continues to prove themselves worthy of our admiration. And really, what more could anyone want?
Key Tracks:
1. "Bixby Canyon Bridge"
2. " I WIll Possess Your Heart"
3. "Cath..."
4. "You Can Do Better Than Me"
5. "Grapevine Fires"
8 out of 10 Stars
Narrow Stairs takes the opposite approach. Walla is once again behind the production, but the album has a much more natural quality to it (a feature that not only contrasts Plans, but Walla's own solo album and his work with The Decemberists and Tegan and Sara). As such, it feels more like the band's earlier work: unrestrained and unrefined, free of nit-picking and studio perfectionism. The raw, guitar distortion of album-opener, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," would never exist on an album like Plans, and it's refreshing to hear the band breaking free from the self-imposed restrictions of their previous record.
Likewise, the album's first single "I Will Possess Your Heart" is well over 8 minutes long, something that I can't imagine Atlantic Records smiling on, especially being a single. The song seems hand-crafted to be the opening number to a live performance, with instrumentation slowly building over Nick Harmer's infecting bass line until finally, after 4 1/2 minutes, it's just Gibbard spouting his equally intoxicating, "You gotta spend some time love/ you gotta spend some time with me." Like most, I wasn't sold on the song on the first listen, but after spending some time with it (get it?) it grew on me. It still may not have been the wisest choice for a first single, but doing so seems to be more about making a statement than a marketing decision.
"No Sunlight" is, oddly enough, a very sunny pop/rock song with an indisputably rockin' chorus. Like a good Of Montreal song, its easy-going composition masks its darker lyrics. During the chorus, Gibbard sings, "It disappeared at the same speed/ the idealistic things I believe/ the optimist died inside of me." "Cath..." is equally as depressing, telling the story of a woman who marries out of the fear of growing old alone. Ben's lyrics are as impressive as they always are, lamenting, "Cath/ it seems that you live in someone else's dream/ in a hand-me-down wedding dress," later noting that, "the whispers that it won't last/ run up and down the pews." The song's forward guitars and bouncy instrumentation make it an easy favorite on the album, and one that I simply can't find fault with.
"Talking Bird" is a strange ballad about a parrot, or other bird that can talk. Gibbard trudges through the song with his typically melancholic musings, but knowing the subject matter really makes the song lose any effect that it may have had otherwise. "You Can Do Better Than Be" bursts out of the gate with such fanfare, that it seems more appropriate for a parade than a Death Cab album. Ben begins the song by singing, "I'm starting to feel we stayed together out of fear," over heavily-structured, syncopated snares and bass drums. It's a very cool sounding song and one of the few times on Narrow Stairs in which the band feels like they're trying to branch out.
By far, the album's standout track is "Grapevine Fires," in which Gibbard tells the story of a peaceful moment in the midst of a wildfire. The song is absolutely gorgeous from the start, with soft instrumentation, lush harmonies, and vivid imagery carrying it to its stunning conclusion ("The firemen worked in double shifts/ with prayers for rain on their lips"). "Your New Twin Sized Bed" is more standard Death Cab fare. As such, one could probably figure out the story of the song based on the title alone. It's a pretty track, but nothing that requires any real discussion or dissection. "Long Division" winds up being a much more pleasing song. With an irresistible, upbeat, guitar-heavy arrangement, you're almost guaranteed to sing along to the chorus ("To be the remain, remain, remain, remainder!") and maybe even bust out with a little air drumming. I know I have.
"Pity and Fear" is a song that never really goes anywhere. It doesn't build, change, or affect in any notable manner, and may be doomed to skip button of many CD players. Unfortunately, not even some admittedly cool guitaring in the track's final minute can redeem it. "The Ice Is Getting Thinner" ends the album on a high, if not sorrowful, note. Gibbard describes two lovers drifting apart with such beauty, that it's difficult to even think of a song that could do it better. He croons, "We buried our love/ in a wintery grave/ a lump in the snow/ was all that remained." It is a typical, soft, reflective comedown track to be sure, but you simply can't deny the brilliance of it.
In many ways, Narrow Stairs is a return to form for Death Cab for Cutie. That being said, it doesn't necessarily show them retreading the same path again, either. What Narrow Stairs accomplishes is much more subtle and graceful. It portrays a band embracing their roots while moving towards the future. With their success and notoriety already achieved, the band challenged themselves to make an album that doesn't rely on perfection in the studio, songwriting, or performances; but one that is honest, exciting and natural. It's not exactly reinventing the wheel, but Narrow Stairs is far from a sell out or a disappointment. It is simply another solid album from a band who continues to prove themselves worthy of our admiration. And really, what more could anyone want?
Key Tracks:
1. "Bixby Canyon Bridge"
2. " I WIll Possess Your Heart"
3. "Cath..."
4. "You Can Do Better Than Me"
5. "Grapevine Fires"
8 out of 10 Stars
23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After their big-label debut "Plans" in 2005, DCFC took to the streets and toured relentessly. This in turn lead to a longer than usual period in between new studio recording. Now, 3 years later, comes the much anticipated 6th studio albums from these guys.
"Narrow Stairs" (11 tracks, 45 min.) starts off with the best 1-2 punch ever: an epic opener "Bigxby Canyon Bridge", followed by an even stronger 8+ min. brooding "I Will Posess Your Heart" (1st radio single). Wow... these 15 min. of music alone are worth buying the album for. Smartly Ben Gibbard and the guys take a (musically) lighter turn after that, with tracks like "No Sunlight", "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "You Can Do Better Than Me" (even though neither of them is a 'light' song lyrically...). Other highlights for me include "Grapevine Fires" (with great underlying keyboards) and the somber closer "The Ice Is Getting Thinner". But honestly, there isn't a single weak track as such on here. The songs are sequenced perfectly and it all flows from one to the next. Chris Walla's production is perfectly in tune with Ben Gibbard's slightly darker than usual songs. A terrific album all around (and right up there with 2003's "Transatlanticism", in my opinion).
I had seen DCFC in concert before, but when I saw them at Coachella in late April, the entire band played with a vigor and passion I hadn't seen before. They played quite a few of the new songs (including "I Will Possess Your Heart", which I'm guessing is Nick's (the bass player) favorite new song, but also "Grapevine Fires"), and also bringing a couple of classics such as "Sound of Settling". In all DCFC's set was one of the more memorable of the entire Coachella festival for me. Can't wait to see them again in concert. Meanwhile "Narrow Stairs" is highly recommended!
"Narrow Stairs" (11 tracks, 45 min.) starts off with the best 1-2 punch ever: an epic opener "Bigxby Canyon Bridge", followed by an even stronger 8+ min. brooding "I Will Posess Your Heart" (1st radio single). Wow... these 15 min. of music alone are worth buying the album for. Smartly Ben Gibbard and the guys take a (musically) lighter turn after that, with tracks like "No Sunlight", "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "You Can Do Better Than Me" (even though neither of them is a 'light' song lyrically...). Other highlights for me include "Grapevine Fires" (with great underlying keyboards) and the somber closer "The Ice Is Getting Thinner". But honestly, there isn't a single weak track as such on here. The songs are sequenced perfectly and it all flows from one to the next. Chris Walla's production is perfectly in tune with Ben Gibbard's slightly darker than usual songs. A terrific album all around (and right up there with 2003's "Transatlanticism", in my opinion).
I had seen DCFC in concert before, but when I saw them at Coachella in late April, the entire band played with a vigor and passion I hadn't seen before. They played quite a few of the new songs (including "I Will Possess Your Heart", which I'm guessing is Nick's (the bass player) favorite new song, but also "Grapevine Fires"), and also bringing a couple of classics such as "Sound of Settling". In all DCFC's set was one of the more memorable of the entire Coachella festival for me. Can't wait to see them again in concert. Meanwhile "Narrow Stairs" is highly recommended!
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After the first time thru I would have rated this album just three stars, but it's kinda growing on me. I like the apt and easy song lyrics. I like various small and subtle production elements, such as the way the lead guitar moves in and around the vocals, sometimes joining, on tunes like "Pity and Fear." And there are various other things on Stairs I appreciate. There's no magnificent tragedy on the new CD to rival "Transatlanticism," but then what ever could? Stairs does have the similarly epic (and slow-building) "I Will Possess Your Heart," but it's quietly optimistic where "Trans..." is all heartbreak and sorrow. For those who felt let down after their first listen, give the disc another try and see what you think. Oh, and by the way, the CD booklet is another minor but cool work of art, something the download-only folks will miss I guess.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
nice album
I especially like I will possess your heart and no sunlight. Your new twin sized bed has clever lyrics as well. Read more
Published 21 days ago by kp
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite albums
I don't know if there are limits on how many favorite albums or which characteristic quantifies for greater approval more than another, but to repeat what has probably been said by... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Neil Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Album.
This was the first album that I ever listened to by Death Cab. It was the album that led me to the rest of their material. Death Cab for Cutie is an amazing band. Read more
Published 1 month ago by underoath23
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you love DC for C
You will enjoy this CD even though I enjoyed Plans better but I would never give this one CD up.
Published 2 months ago by Kathleen S. Shelby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah Death Cab!
Bought this vinyl cause I wanted to get a few Vinyls of bands that I really like so I bought this one and love it. Cool artwork and good quality.
Published 2 months ago by K. Kinsinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
It's a good deal to get this Death Cab for Cutie album for only $5. It's definitely money well spent!
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars
Narrow Stairs
`Narrow Stairs' is another solid album from Death Cab For Cutie and whilst it isn't a departure from previous albums, when the music is as good as this you wouldn't want it to be. Read more
Published on January 23, 2011 by Spider Monkey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Narrow Stairs vs. Transatlantacism
This is a great album. I listened to this album endlessly for weeks after it came out. Before Narrow Stairs, my favorite Death Cab album was Transatlanticism, and I kept going back... Read more
Published on July 21, 2010 by James
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not their best
Overall this album was, in my opinion, not as well-crafted as their previous albums Plans or Transatlanticism.
Published on June 28, 2010 by J. Duncan
5.0 out of 5 stars
For me, this is the "introduction"
Always heard the name, never heard the band.
Is this like yourself? You are intrigued by the band, that supposedly is greatness, but you don't think you are hip enough... Read more
Is this like yourself? You are intrigued by the band, that supposedly is greatness, but you don't think you are hip enough... Read more
Published on February 22, 2010 by Wes Martin
Listmania!
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