Death Cab for Cutie. (1998). Something about airplanes. Seattle: Barsuk Records.
Annotation
Something About Airplanes was Death Cab for Cutie’s first studio album, released in 1998. It is quintessential of Pacific Northwest indie-rock, the melodic tunes and perfect harmonies echoing the romantic loneliness so often felt living after nine-months of rain. The album is obviously influenced by other PNW indie-bands such as Built to Spill. The opening track, Bend to Squares, is particularly magnificent, as well as my personal favorite, track three, Champagne from a Paper Cup.
Information
Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard has been a stalwart in the pacific northwest indie music scene from its early days. He well known not only for Death Cab, but also his side projects The Postal Service, All Time Quarterback, and his first band Pinwheel. The band released 7 full length albums and numerous EPs and singles. Barsuk Records is releasing the band’s entire early discography on 180-gram vinyl in January 2013.
Genre
Indie Rock, 90s Slowcore
Curriculum Ties
n/a
Reading Level/Interest Age
14+
Reason for inclusion
A seminal band of the 1990s, no emotional teenager’s musical identity is complete without having heard DCFC at least once.
References
Cohen, I. (2008). Death cab for cutie: Something about airplanes. Pitchfork. Retrieved from: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12466-something-about-airplanes/?utm_campaign=search&utm_medium=site&utm_source=search-ac
Shortish and Bookish 