Death Cab For Cutie
Transatlanticism

Probably not the best time in the world to be an American indie band really, what with it being all Darkness and Jets round these parts. But that’s never really got in the way of Deathcab; indeed, it seems they have thrived on being, y’know, who they are and doing what they do. Which would sound pretty lame and defeatist if this wasn’t them; y’see, DfC are bloody great.

Fresh from the utterly wonderful The Postal Service (think Deathcab mincing the Pet Shop Boys) side project, this is their fourth and best album to date, and if there’s any justice, it will see them transcend their cult status into something more formidable.

Opener ‘This Is The New Year’ is a call to arms, a shot of freshness and renewed vigour which surfs along crashing drums and perfectly phrased guitars, setting the agenda perfectly. ‘Sound Of Settling’ breezes along like summer never left us, and the eponymously-titled centre piece track is seven minutes of crescendo-ing beauty.

Grand without ever being bloated, humane without settling into pessimism, the best indie band in North America remind us why sometimes, the rewards do not equal the output. That’s for you to change.