Death Cab for Cutie

Add Date: June 7 

Artist: Death Cab for Cutie 

Album: Codes and Keys 

Label: Atlantic 

Genre: Alternative, indie rock, indie pop 

Comments: Quoting Paste magazine: "To celebrate their first new release since 2009 and their seventh studio album, Codes and Keys, Death Cab for Cutie will be playing all over their native Pacific Northwest and, perhaps just as notably, filming an episode of VH1's 'Storytellers'. I say 'just as notably' because a band filming an episode of 'Storytellers' usually coincides with my mom beginning to like and listen to said band. Which coincides, in turn, with me being no longer able to like them, as their popularity and cultural saturation has grown to a point that threatens the eggshell-thin armor protecting my rock critic street cred. If I were to like Codes and Keys now that there's a good chance Death Cab is going to be even more ubiquitous, I might have to cut my beard into an ironic mustache to compensate."

That said, Death Cab's seventh studio album will appeal to both the fan and average listener. Coming off of their more somber album Narrow Stairs, frontman Ben Gibbard has made sure to bring some levity to the music; underneath slicker production and the diminished guitar usage are the same melodies and introspective, angsty songwriting, only this time the band may come off as occasionally happy. The album sounds like the next step in the band's growth, particularly on the stunning single "You Are a Tourist", which seems to get better with every listen. From the catchy, friendly saunter of "Underneath the Sycamore" to "Stay Young, Go Dancing", the album provides for a good time. Overall, a pretty great album from a pretty great band.