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Plans
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Plans Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 203 Ratings

  • Summary: The Ben Gibbard-led group makes its major-label debut with this 11-song disc, produced by band member Chris Walla.

Top Track

I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Love of mine Someday you will die But I'll be close behind I'll follow you into the dark No blinding light Or tunnels to gates of white Just our... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. E! Online
    100
    [Plans has] ginormous power-pop melodies in songs such as "Soul Meets Body" and "Marching Bands of Manhattan" and wussy-boy lyrics that'll make your heart grow a few sizes.
  2. Filter
    88
    DCFC is becoming a band that's worth noticing apart from Ben. [#17, p.93]
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  3. Urb
    80
    Despite what the blog-haters might say, Gibbard and Co. more than make the grade. [Oct 2005, p.77]
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  4. Neumu.net
    70
    Never the hardest rocking of bands, Death Cab for Cutie sound positively muted throughout Plans, Gibbard's obsession with the temporary nature of relationships and life itself receiving appropriately somber accompaniment.
  5. Q Magazine
    60
    This fifth album doesn't differ radically from the previous four.... Newcomers, however, should start with 2003's more cohesive Transatlanticism. [Oct 2005, p.115]
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  6. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Although the band hasn’t really strayed from its cutesy indie-pop formula, the qualities that made Death Cab stand out aren’t present this time around.
  7. Drawer B
    30
    Plans is ultimately a pretty boring album, and the primary reason is its lack of diversity.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 95
  3. Negative: 5 out of 95
  1. ScottW
    Sep 1, 2005
    10
    This is some of the most honest songwriting I have ever heard, and forcefully fills the spaces in one's heart that other music leaves This is some of the most honest songwriting I have ever heard, and forcefully fills the spaces in one's heart that other music leaves open. If this CD does not get you choked up, you are not listening to it. While you can definitely tell that it's Death Cab, that is what all fans of Death Cab will be looking for, and its sweeping melodic tones, tense lack of resolution, emotive chord play, and phenomenal lyrics are sure to make any listener both thrilled and longing terribly for more.… Expand
  2. AnitaC
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    This album is incredible! Definetly their best yet!
  4. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    I'd say this is the band's coming of age album, and the perfect follow-up to Transatlanticism. I'm surprised it wasn't better received byI'd say this is the band's coming of age album, and the perfect follow-up to Transatlanticism. I'm surprised it wasn't better received by critics, but at least fans recognize what a fantastic record it really is. "Your Heart Is An Empty Room" and "Brothers In Hotel Beds" are some of the best songs the band has dished out. "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" could have found it's way onto one of the American Recordings had Johnny Cash stuck around longer. One of the best albums of 2005.… Expand
  5. LindsayF
    Sep 8, 2005
    9
    Absolutely nothing can surpass Transatlanticism, but without comparing Plans to any of their other albums, it's still amazing.
  6. Zach
    Aug 29, 2006
    8
    Though not as amazing as Tranatlantism, Ben Gibbard never dissapoints. His way of using soothing lyrics (like"I Will Follow You Into The Though not as amazing as Tranatlantism, Ben Gibbard never dissapoints. His way of using soothing lyrics (like"I Will Follow You Into The Dark") still grows on you.… Expand
  7. katef
    Aug 31, 2005
    8
    i love death cab for cutie's the photo album and i like death cab for cutie's transatlanticism. somewhere in the middle lies plans. i love death cab for cutie's the photo album and i like death cab for cutie's transatlanticism. somewhere in the middle lies plans. it has the pretty piano and of course ben's gorgeous voice, but is missing the variety of sounds in the photo album.… Expand
  8. JebJ
    Sep 2, 2005
    0
    Yikes! Kill me out-loud if I enver hear this again. Put it away in the away closet, haha!

See all 95 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2005
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2005