Album Review | Death Cab for Cutie | I Built You A Tower
Hello past, present, and future Stardust Children! Once again – so happy you are here. Rock Oracle is thankful for you always! Today, I come to you with an album review that lights up the heart of Tween Stacy – Death Cab for Cutie’s newest collection of musical genius, ‘I Built You A Tower’. (I guess I gave away my overall opinion of the album but … whatever LOL)
Full transparency, it’s been several years since I’ve allowed myself to get lost in a new(er) Death Cab for Cutie album. I’ve been stuck on Transatlanticism, along with the albums preceding it, for many-a-year (since around 2007) and believed myself to be perfectly content cozying up in that realm of their discography for the rest of my life LOL
I tend to do this with music, though, you’ll come to learn – not because I don’t enjoy finding new bands or listening to new music from bands I already love – I suppose it’s just a sense of safety I’ve developed for myself over the years. When something feels safe, I’ll cycle through it over and over … forever and ever ha I suppose from the predictability (aka stability) I feel it provides. BUT, it’s a cycle I wish to break (especially with music) because – in case you didn’t know – LIFE ISN’T PREDICTABLE! And it shouldn’t be! How else would we receive the opportunities to experience, learn, gain wisdom, grow, expand, connect, and live deliciously, as our fabulous Melinoe always promotes!
I say all this to explain why, when I saw Death Cab had a new album out, I didn’t immediately jump into listening. A Part of me asked: “Do we really need new Death Cab?” I initially leaned into the auto-default of ‘No’ that often winds up being my answer to questions like that but eventually decided to take a listen, and boy am I glad I did!
In this new album, Death Cab brings their signature sound – any longtime fan knows exactly what I’m talking about – but there’s also some new tones and composition choices that really surprised me. I’ll admit, listening through this album made me realize I’m a bit behind on DC’s discography (I’ll be sure to go back and listen though – I promise! LOL), but, even still, the new (to me) sounds in this album are one I personally wouldn’t have expected for DC to explore, hah – but it was a great surprise!
TLDR: DC plays with their sound a lot in this album but still brings their signature musicality that we know and love, and the mix comes together SO well.
The album tells a story from start to finish (unsurprising for DC, of course), and I found myself more intrigued with every song. When the album came to an end, I was actually a bit sad … I wanted more!
As always, Ben’s vocals are uniquely Ben – arguably the staple of DC’s signature sound. (I’d recognize that voice anywhere!) The melodies, lyrics, and composition they wove together for this album create a strong, consistent, visual story that really expands the experience of the album itself – which is something I personally love in music. Take me on a journey, damn it! LOL I Built You A Tower does just that!
Their mixes ranged from simple and methodical to complex and inspired, and the lyrics … well … Death Cab for Cutie has been one of my favorites for so long specifically because of their lyrics. (Ben Gibbard is a lyrical genius, and I don’t care who might try to say otherwise LOL) Their writing style has always struck a chord with me. I’ve always especially admired and connected with their use of metaphors, which only helps to create stronger visuals of their stories, and this album is no different. I Built You A Tower is a beautiful blend of complex emotions (deeply felt nostalgia). I don’t know how they always do it, but they do – and it’s magic!
Okay, let’s jump into the songs! Now, I’ve never written an album review of any kind before, and, for a bit, I was obsessing over how a piece like this “should” be structured, but I’ve decided to just go with what feels right to me, and that approach is telling you a little about each song:
> Full of Stars – Crafted with poetic lyrics, simple acoustics paired with piano and light percussion that comes in toward the end, this song really reminds me of the band’s music when I first discovered them all those years ago. I felt it really set the mood for the album and helped to introduce the overall theme for the story they’re wanting to tell.
> Punching the Flowers – This one is a mix of signature DC sounds but with tones that also “contrast” with that signature sound a bit. With the genius that is Death Cab, though, it’s clear that dissonance is purposeful for the story, and it all comes together to create a really cool Alt vibe. The tones in this song actually remind me a bit of bands like Tool and Queens of the Stone Age – which, again, I wouldn’t have really expected from Death Cab – but it’s a great surprise and shows how much they’ve expanded creatively over the past four years!
> Pep Talk – I’m all about the lyrics for this one. It feels like several of my past diary entries all beautifully summarized into an even more beautiful song. It’s heavier on the anguish, but there is a semblance of hope in there, as well.
> I Built You A Tower (a) – This one is a great “vibey” song musically, with a strong melodic structure that reminds me a lot of spoken poetry – not unexpected (for me) from DC. I resonated with the lyrics a lot. They brought up memories of a younger version of myself who so desperately wanted her first “serious” relationship to work. I feel most of us have experienced the kind of love described in this song, and it was cathartic for me to feel into.
> Envy the Birds – Ooh, this one snuck up on me. At first, I was a little confused. The music jumps back and forth a bit – but matching the different lyrical energies presented, as well. I won’t lie, I had to listen to it a couple times and intentionally follow the lyrics to grasp understanding for that part of the story. But, when I did, it resonated so deeply. Favorite verse: “It took so long to get nowhere / It got so loud / It got so loud / And in my mind, I disappeared / Into the clouds / Into the clouds”
> Stone Over Water – I’ve never heard the word ‘slog’ before, so that was a first, haha – but, again, in true DC fashion, it was somehow the perfect word to help build the visual for this song. I feel this is the perfect listen for the days you’re feeling unsure of everything and just need some reassurance that you’re not alone. It’s a simple song but packed with lyrics that paint a picture of a feeling many of us are familiar with.
> How Heavenly A State – This … THIS! DC really shows off lyrically in this song. It’s got those big, juicy words that DC tends to throw out from time to time that make you scratch your head a bit and maybe (just me?) pull up a Google search LOL I don’t know about you, but I love that shit! They surprised me with some real (good) nasty bass sounds in this song, too!
> Trap Door – This is another one that’s strongly reminiscent of the older DC albums I became obsessed with many years ago. It’s a very pretty song and even creates a bit of a dancey vibe – which isn’t unusual for newer DC music, I’m beginning to understand. This was one I had to listen to a couple times, as well, and, again, be intentional with the lyrics, but the extra effort was well worth it. I interpreted this song as a kind of love ballad about longing for closer love and connection. It left me in a pondering state of mind, which I personally love.
> Riptides – I strongly connected with the lyrics in this song. It’s a very “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” kind of message. Or, how I like to say: “You can lead a horse to water, but sometimes it’s just not worth it to try and get it to drink.” It was a good, cathartic listen.
> The Flavor of Metal – My inner child and millennial soul resonated with this song so much. I looooooved the lyrics. It presents such a balanced feeling of sadness (the kind where you find yourself longing for the nostalgia of your childhood) and hope – “It takes just a little light”. I love the visual it creates, and, not that DC leaves this to be desired, but the playful melody made this song especially enjoyable to listen to.
> I Built You A Tower (b) – What a strong song to close with! It rounds out the album so well and (unfortunately LOL) brings the story to an end. The composition intrigued me and kept me on my toes. At one point, I even found myself leaning forward in anticipation! Throughout the entire album, it was like I was watching a movie reel in my mind.
I felt this album was deeply personal and more intimate than others.There were many times I imagined myself as a fly on the wall while the band wrote and recorded these songs – watching them move through the creative process, build the vision, and work together to create a visual masterpiece through music – the lyrics holding deep meaning and significance to their lives. Every component of the songs come together in a way that allows the emotions behind them to really shine through, as well. It felt really authentic to Death Cab, which is something I appreciate more and more these days – authenticity, authentic expression, showing up fully and authentically without any worry for what others might think …
Needless to say, this album is definitely getting added to my personal catalog of “Songs to listen to when needing a shoulder to lean on”. It’s amazing how music can sometimes feel like the one, consistent “friend” you can turn to in difficult times. Many of DC’s songs have guided me through some of the toughest years of my life – particularly the ones riddled with grief. Still to this day, certain songs elicit the same surge of emotion from me like when I first heard it – a couple that immediately come to mind: “What Sarah Said” and “Passenger Seat”. Those songs still bring big, ole tears to my eyes.
As I’ve said before – the power of music is incredible. No matter what, it seems you can always find a song that speaks directly to what you need in the moment. For me, Death Cab never failed to help me feel through some of life’s more complex emotions – particularly grief. Their music was there for me through some of the most significant losses I’ve experienced thus far in life. (Damn – I could start crying now just thinking about it!)
I’m so grateful to Death Cab for that. I’m grateful to all musicians, really – for the dedication, vulnerability, and gifts they choose to share with us – and especially the sacrifices they make in order to do so.
Here’s to Ben and the band for showing up so fully and authentically – and for inviting us into a bit of their hearts and souls. The emotional depth in this album is truly inspiring, and, as always, their music has opened my heart and mind in ways I never expected but will always warmly welcome.
If you’ve yet to give I Built You A Tower a listen – don’t give it a second thought! Go experience and enjoy the poignant journey Death Cab for Cutie has created for us!
Until next time, Children of the Stars ~
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