Atlantic, 2005
Nearly two years after releasing Transatlanticism, popularly considered to be DCFC's best album to date, they come at us with their latest effort, Plans. There has been much speculation as to how much Death Cab's sound would change due to the switch to a major label. After hearing "Soul Meets Body", the first single from Plans, there were many differing opinions as to whether the move was a good thing. After listening to the entirety of Plans I must say that it has met my expectations. I have had high hopes for this album since hearing of it's upcoming release more than six months ago.
Death Cab mostly sticks to their established sound with some variations. Ben Gibbard is still singing his bittersweet, sometimes melancholic lyrics with that voice we have all come to know and love. The piano seems to be more prominent on this album that on previous efforts. It fits well, in most cases, with Death Cab's style. As always for Death Cab the drums are a driving force on Plans, particularly on "Soul Meets Body" and "Someday You Will Be Loved."
While we still have a few weeks until we find out what everyone thinks I will offer my opinion. This is one of Death Cab's better efforts, right up there with Transatlanticism. From the opening organs of "Marching Bands Of Manhattan" to the driving beats in "Soul Meets Body" and "Someday You Will Be Loved" to the acoustics of "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" Plans stays solid throughout. The closing track "Stable Song" is a reworked, shorter version of "Stability" which was of course on the Stability EP.
It would appear that Death Cab For Cutie has beat the odds and kept their sound through the switch to a major label. Quite a feat for any band, only a few have pulled it off. I would recommend this album to any fans of Death Cab For Cutie as well as those who have never heard them before.