Over the Edge - September 21

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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE'S SLOW START

Codes and Keys Just Doesn't Cut If

DARCIE SMITH ARTS EDITOR

Death Cab For Cutie used to be a band that you could rely on to always be a bit different — to not produce the same sounding thing over and over, and to have it chip away at something inside you. Over the past few albums they have released, they have started to lose that little spark that made them a step above of the rest of the indie rock bands. It could have been when they signed on to Atlantic, but even their 2005 release, Plans eventually grew on you slowly at some points during the record. You have to give props to front man Ben Gibbard for always being earnest, but it seems that he is running out of ways to say things. He has always been cute, in a way, but his music style is maturing and not really matching up with those cute lyrics anymore. Every band must evolve at some point, but Death Cab For Cutie seems to be heading in a direction that no longer reaches to their original audience. They are not the Death Cab from ten years ago and with their latest album, Codes and Keys, a lot is left to be desired and long time listeners might find them- selves appreciating them less with the

more they release.

The first track on Codes and Keys, “Home is a Fire” starts out very weak. The first minute is very underwhelm- ing and it is clear that it is building up to more, but with such a weak intro- duction, it makes you want to skip to the next song. After the first minute, it does pick up, but it is disappointing. The second track, Codes and Keys reminds the listener that piano and Death Cab always go well together, but the vocals and lyrics are not catchy enough to make this a strong song. It feels like a B-side from Plans that was rightfully left out. “Some Boys” is one of the few songs on the album that takes the listener back to the older days of the band. Hearing Ben Gib- bard sing about “some boys [who] don't know how to love” is reminis- cent of the more emotional early days. It feels anthem-y, however, which is not an appealing style to hear with Gibbard's high pitched whine — it's just too poppy, yet not anywhere near catchy. The beginning of “Doors Un- locked and Open” sounds very similar to “We Laugh Indoors,” one of the highlights from 2001's The Photo Al-

bum. Once “Doors” takes off and you realize it is nothing like their older music, the album almost feels like it is over.

The reason this album scores low could be due to the more upbeat and positive nature of the lyrics as com- pared to previous releases that pulled at the teenaged heart strings a little more. If you are a fan who is drawn to the downbeat gloominess in bands like Death Cab, then this is a good al- bum to avoid. If you are a super fan, you might find yourself making time and exceptions for it, but overall, it is just boring. Ultimately, this album feels like it belongs on the Atlantic label.

5.5/10 stars

YOU LISTEN UP!

The Party's Over!

PAUL STRICKLAND CONTRIBUTOR

You're a whiner and a complainer! If you don't want to stay late to do the job, I'll find someone else who will! There's a line of hungry people outside waiting to take your place. The world is flat after all. Soon you young people will have to work ten times as hard for one-tenth the pay.

Too bad your work was ruined. Nobody ever said this job would be easy. Don't bother people with details.

If you can't explain it in 15 words or less,

too bad for you! You have only yourself to blame!

He's so sensitive! He gets all stressed out during the day and then he has to claim overtime. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! “Two medical appointments in one week?! We're going to have to start monitoring this!” You're all wasting time around here.

I'm not accepting your overtime claims! Didn't I see you up in the lunchroom having a coffee

a couple of hours ago?

So you think you've got it tough? Well, you listen tome.Ihadto.... We don't want people to get too comfortable around here. You're too young. You don't have experience, you're still wet behind the ears, and you don't know what the real world of work is about. You're too old to learn. Your hanging on here is making it impossible for a young person to get a job. If you retire, you'll become a useless burden on society. You'll bankrupt the pension plan and medicare.

Singing the praises of our illustrious chairman of the national association of CEO's, wearing smocks and tunics with name tags, let us go forward, united for progress, into the scores of discount bins to work for the glory of global fraud. Let a hundred in-store bargains bloom. The official theoreticians of the economic think- tank institute will keep any potential deviationists and any unauthorized revisionists in line.

Let us smash the reactionary monasteries of Leisure, Quiet Contemplation and Time Alone With Family.

Let us work for harmony with the labour stan- dards of

the corrupt and totalitarian workhouse powers. It's the reality of today - the way of the business world.