A Year in Records #10: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

“When we made Plans, there was pressure involved. It actually felt like making a record for a major label – forced, like something critical was about to happen. There was this overbearing anxiety about it. But this felt more like making a Death Cab record, it felt like coming home. It felt good.” So says Chris Walla of the Seattle brigade's Narrow Stairs. Now Plans is a great album, but there's a definite sense of trying to recreate its predecessor - Transatlanticism - for wider public consumption. Subsequently, it propelled them to the bigtime: job done. The fact is, Death Cab's increment was inevitable and the unavoidable growing pains of a band in transition manifested themselves in Plans. Had their hands not been forced though, it's not hard to imagine Narrow Stairs as Transatlanticism's logical sequel.

Less saccharine - but still lovely, mind - and more patient, with this record Death Cab seize their independence back. And as if to hammer the point home, they stick a four minute intro onto lead single I Will Possess Your Heart. This is easily the darkest record they've ever made too; they've always done reflective, now they're downright moody. Cath..., a tale of a reluctant bride, is the best track on the album and despite occasionally dark undertones, encapsulates the sumptuous melodies and smart, borderline kooky lyrics. And after all, isn't that why we fell for them in the first place?

Video: I Will Possess Your Heart