Band: Death Cab For Cutie
Album: The Open Door EP
Year: 2009
Label: Atlantic
Myspace

Best Song: Talking Bird (Demo)
Score: 9/10
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Here is the thing: this is Death Cab for Cutie and I need to go no further. This is a band that does not need to prove itself anymore. They have had their ups and downs, their mistakes and successions. I don’t even care that they flew into bubbly sky of mainstream because of an annoying teen-drama-soap-opera.It is okay because they have that something that most of the bands nowadays are lacking! They have soul and heart and melody and Chris Walla’s amaezing producing talent and Ben Gibbard’s vocals that sounds like your sweetest lover.As the title of a song from their previous album „Narrow Stairs“ that is called „I will possess your heart“says they WILL possess your heart and it have come to a conclusion that they have already done this with my heart and I am not afraid to admit it.

Their new EP „Open Door“ in my mind, is a collection of left over tracks from the last album „Narrow Stairs“.I hope they did release it as a continue to „Narrow Stairs“ because it doesn’t give the feel that it’s a complete album and every song is exactly where it should be, creating a bigger picture. It’s more like a bunch of b-sides for the die-hard-fans out there(including me) and some of you who know the story behind the last album: Jack Kerouac is still strongly at present with these songs.

The EP kicks off with „Little Bribes“, a catchy southern styled song.It makes me always smile when Ben sings „Pretend every slot machine is a robot amputee waving hello“.Non the less it’s actually not a happy song at all, it’s somewhat truly ironical and makes you hate the city folk in you. If you really listen to the lyrics of this ep or any lyrics of any Death Cab song you’ll agree with me that Ben Gibbard is an exceptional songwriter.One of the best I know actually.

I was actually dissapointed how short this compact disc was. It left me hungry for more. Ofcourse the last song „Talking Bird(demo)“ was the cherry on top of the icream mountain. I’ve loved that song since i heard it last year and a demo version is something everybody should hear .It’s a great song and the original version and beautiful piano part in it that is played by Chris Walla himself and talking of him : I hate that album reviews never give any credit to the producer of the entire masterpiece. Chris Walla is both beautiful behind an instrument and sitting in the production room mixing songs and trimming the band ideas into an album you’ll love to listen.

But this is a heads up for those who have not caught up with the DCFC train yet: Don’t start with this ep. There are bunch of other cds that are way easier to listen to. Come around this baby when you have listened to at least 2 of their previous albums. You’ll probably understand this one better then. Trust me!

TRACKLIST:
1. Little Bribes
2. A Diamond and a Tether
3. My Mirror Speaks
4. I Was Once a Loyal Lover
5. Talking Bird (Demo)