Note: After four albums on indie label Barsuk, this is their major label debut. It sounds quite similar to their previous album Transatlanticism, which should calm those worried they’d compromise their sound by moving up to the big leagues.
Sound: Acoustic guitar, piano and typical rock instruments create a pretty soundscape for Ben Gibbard’s airy vocals to float over.
Lyrics: Jarringly descriptive, candid and poetic sketches of love sought, love lost and life lost
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Soul Meets Body“; “Crooked Teeth“; “I Will Follow You Into the Dark“
Medium Rotation track: “Someday You Will Be Loved“
Recommended: To those who like gorgeous music with heartwrenching lyrics and a few more brooding ballads than bouncy indie rockers. Their music always paints a pleasing picture with a dark undercurrent, and if they’d up the tempo more frequently it would be an easier pill to swallow.
Grade: B