As Death Cab for Cutie’s new album Narrow Stairs drops in a few short weeks here on May 13, it amazes me to reflect on the fact that they released their first album You Can Play These Songs With Chords over ten years ago in 1997. The driving force behind the success of all the things Death Cab, is their front man Ben Gibbard and his perchant for songwriting. His broad career as lead singer in All Time Quarterback, vocals of the ever reaching Postal Service, and his anchoring of Death Cab have allowed us to enjoy his voice and songwriting in a variety of settings. Personally, the first indie album that I fully embraced was Death Cab’s We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes. The album is a song by song chronological story of a man who finds a lover and comes to realize that she actually is engaged to someone else, and the emotional complexities of seeing her marry the other man. Gibbard’s lyrics carry the listener through the complete arch of the relationship cycle; passion, betrayal, bitterness, and regret in a liberating and refreshing way.

This month’s Paste magazine ran a special self penned article on Ben Gibbard, giving the listener an insight into his song writing and motivations. It was a real treat if you enjoy his songs as much as I do….Enjoy

Paste Magazine Article

And check out Death Cab’s new video for “I Will Possess Your Heart”