Narrow Stairs
by Death Cab for Cutie
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 13, 2008
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    Not the rock assault Gibbard thinks it is, but certainly more hard-hitting than ever.
  2. Pitchfork
    60
    At times, the maturation feels forced; the more adventurous moments here are experimental only for such a high-profile group, and they don't play to Gibbard's sentimental, word-weighing strengths.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    60
    Narrow Stairs finds Gibbard more than willing to play to type, offering the same staid character sketches he’s used since his first EP and songs that reiterate his point, that, like, love can be rough on you.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    60
    Caught between the indie-pop that they so cleverly deviated and their new found ambitious sound, Death Cab For Cutie have lost themselves.
  6. Mojo
    60
    If the imagery on this album is often solemn--ice, looming meteorological disaster, remote canyons--it isn't melodramtically so. [June 2008, p.109]
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  7. Q Magazine
    60
    It's as if, in the very best sense, they don't care any more. [June 2008, p.138]
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  8. cokemachineglow
    54
    It’s a predictable formula, a majority of the tracks building to a triumphant climax set to an egg timer, peppered with forced witticisms, seemingly culled from Postsecret, that have reached a new apex of laziness.
  9. Slant Magazine
    50
    Death Cab mostly abandons the full-sounding multi-tracked production they preferred during their rise to primetime soap stardom, and the effect is unflattering.
  10. Hot Press
    50
    Inoffensively bland offering from US indie pop outfit.
  11. Village Voice
    40
    It's their mediocre album.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Perhaps if there were more self-exploration and less chemical dependency on the old standby, heartbreak, Narrow Stairs wouldn't sound, to paraphrase the band, like settling.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2008
85
#85 Most Shared Album of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 99
  3. Negative: 8 out of 99
  1. MacsMusic
    Jan 21, 2018
    8
    I really didn't like Narrow Stairs the first few times I listened to it. The music mostly bored me and I didn't really get the lyrics. OneI really didn't like Narrow Stairs the first few times I listened to it. The music mostly bored me and I didn't really get the lyrics. One night, I really listened to "Bixby Canyon Bridge" and realized that the lyrics told a story. After that, I began to really like NS and notice the fascinating lyrics and well-made music. Worth noting: without the vocals, this album would be nearly as good. Gibbard communicates his stories and lyrics interestingly and earnestly with his unique voice, and the songs are that much better as a result. The union of optimistic, upbeat music and somber lyrics works very well on NS, and makes it stand out. The songs are about love, loneliness, doubt, and pessimism, and the subjects are covered through personal stories - made up or real. Another amazing thing about NS is the personal power it can have on the listener. When a girl I had a crush on started dating another guy, I found myself singing bits of "Cath..." out loud to myself. This was before I was even a fan of this album. Now, NS is not flawless. The long version of "I Will Posses Your Heart" feels overly long and pointless during the music-only part. Also, as a whole NS is less enjoyable musically than I feel like it could have been. This is a pretty small problem, as the music is for effect mostly and the real focus of the album is the lyrics anyway. "Your New Twin-sized Bed" is great musically and lyrically, mixing the music and lyrics in a way that makes the music memorable and enjoyable while also highlighting the sad lyrics. "Talking Bird" is great lyrically - sad and powerful. All in all, NS is a well-crafted, sad album with excellent lyrics and vocals.… Full Review »
  2. moonman1994
    Dec 15, 2012
    8
    This album is good with a mix of variety in the songs on it. Overall I'd say that it is very worth buying and worth the listen whether you'reThis album is good with a mix of variety in the songs on it. Overall I'd say that it is very worth buying and worth the listen whether you're a big Death Cab fan or not.… Full Review »
  3. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 8, 2011
    7
    Revolutionary, it certainly is not. There's just so much to like here. The band is totally in their element at this point, and on easy-breezyRevolutionary, it certainly is not. There's just so much to like here. The band is totally in their element at this point, and on easy-breezy tracks like "Bixby Canyon Bridge", "Cath...", and "I Will Possess Your Heart", it's visible in spades. Not a great album, but a really fun one.… Full Review »
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