You Can Play These Songs With Chords

The extra material is more hit and miss. In particular TV Trays is incredibly bad (as Ben Gibbard seems to accept in the sleeve notes), and it's the only Death Cab song I actively dislike, and Flustered/Hey Tomcat! seems pretty pointless and a little self indulgent. Nevertheless, the better songs more than make up for this. State Street Residential, and Army Corps of Architects are particularly noteworthy. These are all pretty downbeat compared to New Candles (the only DCFC song I've heard with Chris Walla on lead vocals), a perky pop/punk-ish song which is similar to TV Trays while miraculously managing to be enjoyable. This Charming Man takes a similar style, and although I find it quite enjoyable, I'd imagine others would see this as heresy towards the original. Gibbards 'creative' interpretation of Morrisey's lyrics might also cause offense with some of Morrisey's more fanatical followers, but only those without a sense of humour.

All in all a pretty inconsistant compilation, but worth it for the gems, and 18 songs for this price isn't bad either. If you are a fan, buy it. If not, I'd suggest starting with 'The Photo Album', or 'We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes'


short and cheerful   May 31, 2004
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

this album owns you all!
It's not just the perfect background noise for any situation but it demands attention and can make the saddest man remember when everything was better. With loops, jangly guitars, and the occasional Farfisa, DCFC craft a melodic backdrop for Benjamin Gibbard's cozy vocals.