By Emma Lautanen
Staff Writer
Artfully named after the Japanese practice of mending cracked ceramics with precious metals, Death Cab for Cutie’s “Kintsugi” details the aftermath of a broken heart.
The band’s new album sounds the same as all its previous work–but this is not a bad thing. It is exactly what has drawn fans to Death Cab for Cutie since they began.
“Kintsugi” stays true to Death Cab for Cutie’s relaxing rhythm, while also detailing meaningful stories of lost love and confusion within a world of fame. The album is a perfect blend of upbeat lyrics and solemn melodies, with the ability to relate to all types of music lovers.
Fans of Death Cab for Cutie will enjoy a taste of the classic sound, while new listeners can begin to love such definitive and universal songs.
Death Cab for Cutie formed in 1997 as a melodic indie-rock band. The group is made up of lead singer Ben Gibbard and bassist Nick Harmer. Guitarist Chris Walla left the band last year but still contributes to some songs in the album.
Gibbard formed Death Cab for Cutie, releasing its first album, “Something About Airplanes,” in 1998. Since then, Death Cab for Cutie has released seven more studio albums, including “Kintsugi.”
Death Cab for Cutie has always been known for its melancholy but memorable style, along with Gibbard’s creative, meaningful lyrics.
That is why the lack of differentiation in “Kintsugi” is not unfortunate. Though the band is not necessarily trying anything new, in comparison to many of its counterparts, it is sticking to what has been successful for Death Cab through the decade.
One of the greatest aspects of the album is the story it tells. Throughout a majority of the songs, Gibbard details his recent divorce from actress and singer Zooey Deschanel. He also recounts the struggle he went through as a budding artist, balancing fame with a faltering relationship.
Songs such as “No Room in Frame” and “Little Wanderer” give insight into the grief this relationship caused Gibbard, with stand out lyrics like, “Was I in your way/When the cameras turned to face you?” These lyrics add a depth of emotion to the album, adding to its success.
Other highlights of the album, along the theme of the beloved Death Cab for Cutie sound, include “Ghosts of Beverly Drive” and “Good Help (It’s So Hard to Find).”
Both singles display the melodic rhythms and catchy lyrics that old and new Death Cab fans alike will enjoy. The band is developing but in a way that involves more behind-the-scenes maturity instead of changing its sound.
The one flaw in Death Cab for Cutie’s “Kintsugi” is the flatness found in some of the singles. One example is the dull “You’ve Haunted Me All My Life,” as it does not reflect Gibbard’s lyrical talent found in the other tracks, including way too frequent repetition of a simple chorus.
However, “Kintsugi” is the type of album that the listener plays all the way through, on repeat, without skipping any subpar songs. In the case of Death Cab for Cutie, change is not needed to succeed in the music industry. The band stays true to its admired sound and lyrical quality, and it pays off quite well.
“Kintsugi” can be downloaded digitally for $10.99 or bought in stores for $9.99.
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