The Photo Album
by Kristi Coulter
Death Cab for Cutie's third full-length record is further proof that the Bellingham, WA, quartet is one of the more original and thoughtful indie rock groups around. Mixing the sound of a quieter Built to Spill with the lyrical specificity of Belle and Sebastian, The Photo Album's ten tracks explore the near misses and equally tenuous triumphs of human connection. Main songwriter Ben Gibbard's lyrics and wispy vocals hover just this side of preciousness at times, but more often create a palpable sense of warmth and longing, particularly on standout tracks "Blacking Out the Friction" and "Styrofoam Plates." And, in their own quiet way, the melodies are surprisingly dramatic, thanks in large part to Michael Schorr's anxious drumming. The Photo Album does not quite meet the standard set by 2000's stellar We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes on a song-for-song level, but it's still a moving and intelligent collection of wistful pop.