Death Cab For Cutie - Codes and Keys

Bellingham, Washington's finest Death Cab For Cutie are back with their latest effort, Codes and Keys. The follow up to 2008's terrific Narrow Stairs finds the indie rock stars aiming for a more positive frame of mind and are moving away from the dark lyrical content that was populated on their last disc.

The album begins with "Home Is A Fire" a low key, atmospheric tune that greets you warmly with lead singer Ben Gibbard's soothing and introspective voice describing all the sounds and emotions that you are about to encounter on this disc. The disc's title track is an upbeat, bombastic tune complete with beautiful piano arrangements brought to you courtesy of keyboardist Ben Walla and light violin arrangements heard faintly in the background provide for a prominent emotional backdrop that we expect to hear on this album. "Doors Unlocked and Open" is a melodic, guitar driven tune that best encapsulates the shift in dynamic that Death Cab was aiming for on this album with Ben's voice interweaving through the guitar riffs quite easily. My favorite song off the disc is the album's first single, "You Are A Tourist" an upbeat, intricate tune that is classic Death Cab with its atmospheric guitar riffs shooting for the sky with Ben's voice guiding the song along with remarkable ease on its way to a wonderful sounding track.

We cruise into the album's second half with "Monday Morning" an experimental, fuzzy track with pleasant sounding rhythms and electronic infused guitars that make this a very enjoyable listen. "Portable Television" starts out with a calm piano pattern before the drums kick in and morph together to create a formidable and diverse sounding track. The disc gets ready to close up with "St. Peter's Cathedral" a low key, extremely down tempo number that features very light piano arrangements and at times, you can solely hear Ben's soothing and warming voice providing all the comfort that you'll ever need. "Stay Young, Go Dancing" closes out the album beautifully with uptempo acoustic guitar rhythms and Ben's introspective voice adding a certain beauty and charm to the disc that can't be matched by any other band out there. The change in emotional direction on this album can be attributed to changes in Ben Gibbard's personal life, as he got married last year to actress Zooey Deschanel, and that realization of happiness and comfort with his new wife seems to be reflected deeply in the lyrics and provides enough emotional depth for Death Cab to write material on.

In conclusion, a solid and well mapped out effort from Death Cab For Cutie, who continue to make their case as one of the best indie rock bands in music today and a band who present music in the most purest, raw, and delicate way possible that really leaves a lasting impression on all its listeners.

                                                                                                                                   Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Home Is A Fire
2. Codes and Keys
3. Some Boys
4. Doors Unlocked and Open
5. You Are A Tourist
6. Unobstructed Views
7. Monday Morning
8. Portable Television
9. Underneath The Sycamore
10. St. Peter's Cathedral
11. Stay Young, Go Dancing