New Death Cab For Cutie album 'Codes And Keys' released May 31st 2011

Basq · 08-03-2011 10:03PM #1

Just a heads-up..

It's official: In a post to their website, Seattle indie rock vets Death Cab for Cutie announced a May 31 release date for Codes and Keys, their seventh full-length studio album.

Guitarist-producer Chris Walla recently sat down for an interview with BBC radio host Zane Lowe, and said the LP's first single would most likely be "You Are a Tourist." He added that legendary producer Alan Moulder (U2, Nine Inch Nails, the Killers) is mixing the album.

Last October, singer-guitarist Ben Gibbard chatted with SPIN about the new album -- and its experimental sound. "It's not a guitar-based record," he said of the LP, which the band recorded piecemeal in Los Angeles, Vancouver, BC, San Francisco, and Seattle. "We've been into vintage keyboards and playing with that palette."

Gibbard cited Brian Eno's Another Green World as a reference point for their upcoming release, the first since their chart-topping 2008 release Narrow Stairs. "We're not adding guitars because people will be expecting them… I'm so proud of this album that at this point I don't care if people don't like it."

Gibbard said the album includes tracks "Codes and Keys," Death Cab's first song to include a string section in 12 years, "Monday Morning," and "Unobstructed Views," which Gibbard called "a sprawling, seven-minute track that's mostly instrumental. It has the piano and keyboard soundscapes that I've been really enjoying."

Lyrically, Gibbard said Codes and Keys is indicative of his new life in Los Angeles with his wife, actress and She & Him songstress Zooey Deschanel. "There's a level of self-loathing in [Narrow Stairs] that I'm a bit of embarrassed about now," he said. "It's a really dark record. I didn't want to make that record again. I didn't want to write those songs again… Everything I write is reflective of my own life and the lives of those people around me," he added. "They reflect the conversations you have and the rumblings of life around you."

Source

Ben Gibbard performed the title track in concert in San Francisco last Sunday, and also a new track for soundtrack of the 'Arthur' remake with Russell Brand - listen here

They're doing a UK tour this Summer too, but no Irish dates as of yet.

S.M.B. · 08-03-2011 11:48PM

2012?

Basq · 08-03-2011 11:52PM

Apologies.. mistake, which I shall now correct!

johnny_ultimate · 09-03-2011 01:22PM

Sort of grown out of Death Cab, really didn't like their last Dublin show (in stark contrast to Basq!). Will give it a listen though, still occasionally throw on Plans.

Basq · 09-03-2011 01:26PM

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Sort of grown out of Death Cab, really didn't like their last Dublin show (in stark contrast to Basq!). Will give it a listen though, still occasionally throw on Plans.

C'mon... 'Transatlanticism' at the Dublin show was epic! :eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gPmIVMhAI

'The Open Door EP' is on my car radio a lot these days... it's just a shame it's only 17 minutues long!

Xavi6 · 09-03-2011 03:02PM

Not as excited as I was about Narrow Stairs (which disappointed a bit). That song from Twilight was also sub par so I'll be approaching with caution.

Will still go see them though.

maximoose · 09-03-2011 03:06PM

I found Narrow Stairs a big disappointment, but I'm still looking forward to this.

Hopefully get an Irish tour date, and hopefully this time they'll play a bit more from the back catalogue!

**sticks on the photo album**

Basq · 09-03-2011 03:46PM

For those who were disappointed with 'Narrow Stairs' (as was I largely) and that 'Twilight' twaddle, give 'The Open Door EP' a listen.

It was released in March 2009 (almost a year after 'Narrow Stairs'), and it's what that album should have been.

Much stronger tracks.. superb!

johnny_ultimate · 09-03-2011 06:50PM

Had almost forgotten about that Twilight crap.

Now it all comes flooding back

lordgoat · 09-03-2011 08:21PM

Transatlanticism in dublin is something i will never forget. Amazing performance and made better by the best company i could possibly have had.

Sad and wonderful times..

S.M.B. · 10-03-2011 01:36AM

Where's the end of that video? Booooooo.

I really enjoyed that gig (big fan of Frightened Rabbit since then) but I'm not sure I'll be going to see them on this tour.

lordgoat · 10-03-2011 01:39AM

S.M.B. wrote: »

Where's the end of that video? Booooooo.
.

I know, i remember everything about the exact moment when the So come' on's kicked in.

I leaned back my head and bawled it out...

Such a great song.

Anyone know why the version I have of amputations is differnet to any i can find online. The one i have has a longer ramble by glen whateverhisnameis at the end.

Really bothering me cos i can't find the cd I have with that on it...

Basq · 10-03-2011 01:52AM

S.M.B. wrote: »

I really enjoyed that gig (big fan of Frightened Rabbit since then) but I'm not sure I'll be going to see them on this tour.

Same as.. 'The Midnight Organ Fight' is getting regular airtime for me.

Actually put the album on coming home from work last week. Sublime!

lordgoat wrote: »

Anyone know why the version I have of amputations is differnet to any i can find online. The one i have has a longer ramble by glen whateverhisnameis at the end.

Really bothering me cos i can't find the cd I have with that on it...

The one you have is from 'Something About Airplanes':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQSjNDLeG8s

And this is the one from 'You Can Play These Songs':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmyaKpp6xIM

EDIT: Full version of 'Transatlancticism' from The Ambassador:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jogIZ7cHk10

"Come oooooonnnn" from 6'30" onwards + Jason McGerr's drumming = goosebumps!

I can still remember coming back from that gig with a massive grin across my face, and hoarse for the entire day after. Always a sign of a good gig!

lordgoat · 10-03-2011 08:53AM

Basq, you've made my morning. I've been needing instant relief(belief) in this modern age and you've provided it. I was hooked and crooked and lied to for so long...

In regards to FR, i love the midnight organ fire but have very little time for anything they've done after it. Too poppy. Floating down the forth is a cracking little song.

johnny_ultimate · 10-03-2011 01:40PM

I don't know, don't remember Transantlanticism specifically but outside that it was one of the blandest gigs I've been to. Just felt they were on autopilot, performing songs by the book without the slightest hints of energy.

Or, come to think of it, likely it was just me finally realising I actually didn't like the band all that much. In fact, that's probably it, because most of the reports I heard about the gig were favourable. Friend I was with liked it too. But for the most part it just showed up that a lot of these songs weren't for me. I'm sure there were a few good ones they played (I wouldn't have been all that familiar with anything pre-Plans when I saw them), but it's rare I've been to a gig where I've been so profoundly unmoved by the band on stage.

lordgoat · 10-03-2011 03:24PM

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I don't know, don't remember Transantlanticism specifically but outside that it was one of the blandest gigs I've been to. Just felt they were on autopilot, performing songs by the book without the slightest hints of energy.

Or, come to think of it, likely it was just me finally realising I actually didn't like the band all that much. In fact, that's probably it, because most of the reports I heard about the gig were favourable. Friend I was with liked it too. But for the most part it just showed up that a lot of these songs weren't for me. I'm sure there were a few good ones they played (I wouldn't have been all that familiar with anything pre-Plans when I saw them), but it's rare I've been to a gig where I've been so profoundly unmoved by the band on stage.

If you were Transatla.. was immense. Just so good that night.

maximoose · 10-03-2011 04:05PM

Basq wrote: »

"Come oooooonnnn" from 6'30" onwards + Jason McGerr's drumming = goosebumps!

I can still remember coming back from that gig with a massive grin across my face, and hoarse for the entire day after. Always a sign of a good gig!

I think Transatlanticism was the only part of the gig I enjoyed, i'm with Johnny_Ultimate up there.. it was all bit bland.

lordgoat · 10-03-2011 04:27PM

maximoose wrote: »

I think Transatlanticism was the only part of the gig I enjoyed, i'm with Johnny_Ultimate up there.. it was all bit bland.

Woudln't go quite that far but i remember very little else from this gig. Well music wise anyways

IM2010 · 13-03-2011 12:48AM

Really looking forward to the new album, been playing a lot of Transatlanticism these days...'A Lack of Color' still blows me away.
Gota admit Narrow stairs didnt grow on me though

maximoose · 14-03-2011 10:01AM

At the weekend I had a LOT of driving to do between Dub-Carrickfergus-Newbridge-Dub so I decided to dedicate all that itrip time to Death Cab haha to give Narrow Stairs another chance. Managed to fit in Something about Airplanes, Forbidden Love EP, Photo Album, Transatlanticism, Stability EP, Plans, Open Door EP, Narrow Stairs. It was a good drive. Decided that:

Pre-Transatlanticism stuff is so much better than anything after IMO, it's like they've got too clean.. I miss all the distortion and dirty guitars

Forbidden Love EP is probably my favourite release, its just perfect

The demo versions of Stable song and Talking Bird are so much better than the final album versions, why did they change them?!

Narrow stairs isn't as bad as I remembered it to be, actually quite enjoyed it and I'm very much looking forward to the new album now

Also, There needs to be a follow up to All-Time Quarterback.

Basq · 14-03-2011 10:28AM

maximoose wrote: »

Also, There needs to be a follow up to All-Time Quarterback.

Agreed.. superb debut album, and far too short.

Let's not forget Ben's other even-better side project - The Postal Service (though we'll never see a follow-up to 'Give Up').

maximoose · 14-03-2011 10:33AM

Basq wrote: »

Agreed.. superb debut album, and far too short.

Let's not forget Ben's other even-better side project - The Postal Service (though we'll never see a follow-up to 'Give Up').

Is that definite? I thought I read a while ago in an interview with Jimmy Tamborello that they were considering a second album, would be such a shame not to.

Basq · 14-03-2011 10:36AM

maximoose wrote: »

Is that definite? I thought I read a while ago in an interview with Jimmy Tamborello that they were considering a second album, would be such a shame not to.

There's been a couple of interviews with Jimmy and Ben about it, and their opinions seem to change often.

They go from "it'll more than likely happen" to "it'll possibly happen a few years down the line" to "it probably will never happen".

Read an interview with Ben recently which seemed to indicate the latter.

EDIT: I thought I read a more recent interview than this (from December 2008)

Gibbard: Postal Service Second Album Prognosis Grim
"The anticipation of the second record has been a far bigger deal for everybody except the two of us."

Some advice to all those going postal (sorry) while pining for a new Postal Service record: Give Up. Ben Gibbard laid out the cold hard truth in a recent interview with Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Daily: "It's the record that never seems to want to come out. It's also just never been a priority...There never really was a plan to do a second album." Say it ain't so, bro!

Rumors of a sophomore offering from Gibbard and fellow Postal Servant Jimmy Tamborello have persisted since approximately 1912, but unless Ben's throwing us all for a loop here, the darn thing apparently doesn't even exist at this point. "The anticipation of the second record has been a far bigger deal for everybody except the two of us," he also said to Rock & Roll Daily. Rub it in why don't ya?

"I don't know about it being the indie-rock Chinese Democracy," Gibbard mused, "but now that Chinese Democracy has come out, I guess it just becomes the second Postal Service record that will never come out."

We do get one glimmer of hope, though: "We work from time to time together but we have other things that take up all of our time." Duuuude, what could possibly be more important than a new Postal Service record right now?

And what about Jimmy? Well, as he told Pitchfork in 2006, "I definitely want to do another [Postal Service record]." What's that they say about the road to hell again?

Basq · 14-03-2011 08:09PM

From DCFC Facebook - the album-art and track-listing:

We're happy to announce and share the artwork and tracklist for the new Death Cab for Cutie album Codes and Keys, due in stores on May 31st.

Codes and Keys

01. Home Is A Fire
02. Codes And Keys
03. Some Boys
04. Doors Unlocked And Open
05. You Are A Tourist
06. Unobstructed Views
07. Monday Morning
08. Portable Television
09. Underneath The Sycamore
10. St. Peter's Cathedral
11. Stay Young, Go Dancing

Basq · 29-03-2011 09:33AM

New single 'You Are A Tourist (hit the Play button)..

.. it starts off promising and it's catchy enough, but it's not stunning either.

Could definitely be a grower though!

robertowjr · 29-03-2011 01:16PM

I've seen pretty much every band that I like live, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Killers, Air and many more.

Can't wait their tour around Europe, and the disc ofc.

lordgoat · 31-03-2011 07:18PM

http://www.soonermusic.com/

Nice interview here with CW

ElaElaElano · 02-04-2011 02:43AM

Not mad about that new track, as Basq says the intro is really nice but it feels a bit indie-by-numbers after that.

Have never seen them live unfortunately, or listened to anything beyond Transatlanticism stupidly enough. For someone who'd rate 'we have the facts...' as one of their favourite albums ever, would the more recent records be worth investing in, or would I be disappointed? Sheer laziness on my part I know

Also, offtopic but, Ben Gibbard is a lucky bástard. Zooey Deschanel is amazing.

Basq · 05-04-2011 11:14PM

The one-shot video for 'You Are A Tourist' will be filmed and broadcast LIVE in 45 minutes time (midnight):

Watch Here!

First time a one-shot music video has ever been done live.

EDIT: Hope this is worthwhile..

EDIT 2: I don't think it really worked.. as a live one-shot video.. it was decent with a couple of obvious timing issues with the music.

But the whole thing looked quite amateur.. although the dancers / kaleidoscope effect was superb. Would have preferred something a little different. Was all a bit bland. Am sure it'll be up on YouTube shortly.

Basq · 06-04-2011 10:00AM

And here it is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKTYPPyQ9LM

johnny_ultimate · 24-05-2011 10:16PM

Album's here: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=136465054&m=136462476

Only had it on in the background, but I like it - very different sound, but it seems like a fairly successful experimentation.

New Death Cab For Cutie album 'Codes And Keys' released May 31st 2011

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