One of those band names that seems strange, maybe even silly, but always striking and memorable. To quote the Jon Bellion song "Pre-occupied:" "Death Cab changed me." Maybe recognized for their indie before it was indie vibe. Or maybe the way that their songs deal with tough topics while disarming you with the music. Potentially you don't even know them at all. If that is the case then I think it is worth changing that. Oddly I think this latest release is a great place to come in. Death Cab has changed over the years, but that is allowed. I still see the same base artistic vision.

These songs really feel like a current evolution of the band. The lyrics, still sung by Ben Gibbard, have the same quality and mystery that they have always carried for me. The instrumentation still follows with layers of effects and washes over the mind. The composition still brings great movement through each song with dynamics and dramatic transitions. I love "Rand McNally" for its evocative imagery and storytelling. There is a sort of nostalgia hanging over the song. "Here To Forever" is a jammy track with what I consider a regular Death Cab experience. The upbeat and rocking music tempered by lyrics almost in a manic way. And what a lyric in "I wanna know the measure from here to forever." I really like the vibe of "Pepper." Between the guitar opening and that particular drum beat if feels very on brand. I'll also give a mention for "Wheat Like Waves" for mentioning Saskatchewan and conjuring some prairie imagery that felt very visceral and relateable to me.

I think this is a great album. If I am honest a lot of Death Cab albums have slid past me in the last few years. Maybe I just grew out if it, but I haven't paid much attention since about 2015's Kintsugi. This feels like a return and evolution of some of their earlier albums. I hope if this is not a group you have listened to in a while you will give this album a try. And if you have never listened to Death Cab then it is certainly worth your while. I don't feel like there are any bad tracks here. They might not be doing a lot new here, but there is a refined and consciousness in the things that are done that feels good.