Kicks Coldplay's "X&Y"'s ASSSSS. Why can't a quiet album get a good review. Can't wait for the Death Cab for Wilco tour.

Upon one listen, it seems pretty standard death cab. Pretty melodies, haunting and delicate instrumentation. I applaud their attempts at a time signature that isn't 4/4 on Different Names for the Same Thing. However, it feels safer and cozier then past releases... which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Also, the insert is very glossy.

of course, ben's voice is great. chris walla has really found his niche with regards to production. i really love nick's bass lines. they remind me alot of mike mills' (rem). my main gripe is the songs don't feature dcfc's signature layered guitar arpeggios. i like that they resurrected & revamped stability/stable song though.

Album starts off great but gets kinda boring towards the end.

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

i agree with kate f, plans falls right between the photo album and transatlanticism. The sound isn't new, but it is the same death cab for cutie that we know and love. It is consistently good, and every song could be released as a single. Great cd overall.

This album went from okay to good to great upon several listens. If you love Transatlanticism, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't love Plans. Moving and beautiful music. I can't stop listening to it now.

Absolutely nothing can surpass Transatlanticism, but without comparing Plans to any of their other albums, it's still amazing.

One of my new favorites

Although nowhere near as extraordinary as Transatlanticism, Plans is still an epic, highly enjoyable album. Not as good as the band can get, but the songs are better than almost anything you can hear on the radio nowadays.

Another beautiful album by Death Cab

genius

Not the downright God-awful album that some publications would lead you to believe, but it still has to be considered a disappointment after the very good Transatlanticism. As for how it compares to the best releases put out thus far this year, it barely cracks my top 50. Hopefully they can get their shit together for the next album.

Not as good as Transalaticism, but it certainly won my ears.

Death Cab's latest is a whimsical, aromatic trajectory into realms of death and decay;ultimately a sardonic meditation on egotic powerlessness in relationships implicit impermeable emtions that inhibit "soul and body" from attaining maturation. Death Cab seems drained of the raw defiant sound that catapulted them to success among indie faithful. Though an over-produced and balladly-infused split among the fault lines, Death Cab sheds new skin (for better or worse) without copying their latter work. If you want to hear a true pop masterpiece look elsewhere - Nada Surf's "Let Go" supercedes "Plans" in execution, craftsmanship, and content.… Expand

sorrow drips into your heart like a pinhole? come on wow

Not a masterpiece, not as good as transatlanticism (which is what everybody will be comparing it to, obviously), not as musically powerful as some of their earlier work, but damn if it doesn't make you think. Every lyric is on a different level from everything Gibbard's ever written -- shallow minded people *will* call it whiny, but if you don't think about the things he�39;s singing about, you might as well already be dead. It's a lighter album -- quieter and deeper -- and I think it's worth listening to for what it stirs in your head as well as the wonderfully written *music* which is something better than the "pop" people are calling it. I don't know, it's good. I like it a lot.… Expand

Easily their weakest album to date. It feels as if they are now reaching to the lowest common demoninator now (ie. all of their new O.C. fans), and are trying to make an album that has a "Death Cab" sound, instead of just trying to make a good album. Chris Walla's masterful production is wasted by Gibbard's increasingly whinier lyrics.

This album is totally fantastic art ! The acoustic indie genre made it different from other album. No songs are boring though.It's good to hear when your heart needs something peace,slow and enjoyable musics.

After the reviews I expected to find the album uneven, but I have been enjoying listening to this a great deal (and can report other similar responses from friends.)

Watered down their sound so that only pleasantness remains.

This album would have made a splendid EP. Just a major label hiccup, i guess. Overrated like Kanye West Underrated like The New Lows.

I do not own a more poignantly melancholy record than this one. And it's not entirely clear what makes it so affecting. There are no wailing theatrics, large orchestral crescendoes, cliched loud-soft dynamics, or other tricks that are commonly used to manufacture emotion. Instead, the album works by matching lyrics that consist of mostly prosaic, resonant observations with highly singable pop-like melodies. The music, though also clearly pop is restrained; dynamics and mood are built through textures rather than volume and distortion. Fans of DCFC's earlier stuff (e.g., Facts...) might complain that this is "over-produced" and "major label" sounding. But this seems to be confusing distinct claims. No question that the production is mature, but it's also outstanding. I'd argue that every decision made in the studio served the songs themselves and not the radio or "a wider audience." It's a lovely, challenging, affecting and ultimately impressive album.… Expand

Death Cab for Cutie is much more than you think it is. While most of you eat your hearts out with mindless rap and rock music that is the same as anything else in this day and age, Death Cab for Cutie takes music to a different level and gives the sound a unique feeling. Those magazines and websites who rated low, are mostly no-names anyway. So I handclap for them and their senseless taste in music. Death Cab for Cutie: Plans, has a lot of meaning to it, if you really listen to their music. Most of these people who try to 'rate and act important' listen to a song or two once then they go alright time to write my life story about it. No, that is not how it works. For a band who is getting on it's feet just like any band has to start off to into their mainstream of startum, this album is something peple should really appreciate. You can tell they put more than just thoughts of money and idolism into their name, they really give their music meaning and they know they can share it with others who relate.… Expand

What an awsome album, soul meets body is one of my favorite songs ever and the lyrics I think have improved.

The first 6 or so songs are money....then it starts to get repetative and kind of boring. if it was a half cd, well then it would be pretty cool

Regardless of a major label or not, this album holds up well with the albums in the Death Cab catalogue. The same basic principal of time and distance ruining relationships has been strongly maintained, and sounds just as any Cutie album should. Alas, there is an obvious mainstream-esque woven into the formula. Leaving some songs sounding a little offset, and weaker than their previous work. But, there is plenty to be happy about, Death Cab fans shouldn't shy away from this Atlantic Records release.… Expand

Some good songs, not as good as the last album. Someone pleae put a hi res version on e-mule

Death Cab continue to churn out blissful noise with 'Plans'. I don't think it transcends above 'Transatlanticism', but one thing 'Plans' does withhold is a solid unity. I think it lies somewhere between the band's last effort and, 'The Photo Album', despite the band playing to their strengths and not moving their boundary of sound all that much.

softer than transatlanticism, but a very provoking album

amazing album...

Plans holds its own relative to Transatlanticism; not as may huge winners perhaps but enough pop gems to keep anyone looking for melodic elegance happy. Nicely done.

I really like their sound. I'm not really into indie rock, but this band hits a chord with me. Not every song is great, but I feel the majority of them.

What a disappointment. Everything sounds the same... oooh, that's some heavy piano noodling...zzzzz. Yes, Crooked Teeth and Soul Meets Body are good, but this is one overrated band and a mediocre album.

I keep on thinking their happy mood doesn't work so well ahah (except Crooked Teeth, that kicks everything)... But overall it's still great, deep and intelligent.

Not as good as Transatlanticism but still really good. I Will Follow You Into the Dark is one of the best songs I've heard and by far the best song on the cd.

i like this album because it does have a lot of meaning and you have to read between the lines most of the time. I like that. It's different and unique. I also like Ben's voice.

Point: Plans is ultimately a pretty boring album Counter-Point: I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you

Basically what all the critics are saying is that its not emo enough anymore. Attention all music critics: EMO SUCKS AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT BUT YOU.

for all of you still looking for that right person "your heart is an empty room" is a song for you

Great album. Slower and harder to get into then the previous releases, but it grows on you.

Not nearly as good at Transatlanticism - the lighter, weaker songs at the end of the album feel like fillers even though the album starts pretty well. Too bad; DCFC really raised the bar with Trans and it doesn't appear it will be apexed any time soon.

Good album, some touching songs

It's pretty hard to one-up one of the best reviewed albums of the past two years, but much to my delight, Death Cab For Cutie has come very, very close. While "Plans" may not have the overall flow of Transatlanticism, its scope, or is daring leaps of faith, "Plans" is still in my opinion the best released CD so far this year. Ben Gibbard and co. still deliever what DCFC fans have loved about the West-coast group for years: haunting melodies, heart-felt and at many times brilliant lyrics, music you can easily get lost in. There are a couple tracks that leave something to be desired such as "Summer Skin" and "Someday You Will Be Loved". But then again, Gibbard has written some of the best music of his career on this LP. "Marching Bands of Manhattan" is as great an opener as "New Year" ever was and "What Sarah Said" may be the most powerful song you will ever hear. The best song on the whole disk however may just be "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" which will remind you of why these guys are taking the world by storm. "Stable Song", which is a nice acoustic, mellow redo of "Stability" and is a great way to end the CD. While "Transatlanticism" was mainly about distance and being apart from what means a lot to you, "Plans" continues that theme and gives us the answer that sometimes, even in spite of our best made plans, things can change, and things can go wrong. DCFC's first release on a major label discusses death and loss like very few bands could ever dream to do.… Expand

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.

Not as strong as transatlanticism to be sure but still a solid album. "Someday you'll be Loved" is the only crap track. I think a lot of fans have expected this major label debut to suck and are listening to it without an open mind.

i listened to this album like 3 weeks ago, and its awful...they've lost their energy. The only good thing about this album is that there are a lot of keyboards and acoustic stuffs. Sadly, the album lacks of emotion/energy/feeling. :(

Not as good as Transatlanticism or We have the fact..., but still one of the really good release this year. It's as good as a pop song can be. Unfortunatly, there should be more than only pop songs, there should be more DCFC pop song, like Tiny Vessel or Title Track or We laugh Indoors.

It's not their best, but it's still very very beautiful.

I love Death Cab, and this album is an extremely welcome to their amazing collection. Sure, its not an independant label, but the essence of the Death Cab we love is still there, and in full effect. I love this album.

Look, I know some people think that the formula has been used, but it's an easy album to listen to that typically pleases from beginning to end. Buy it and be happy.

I wouldn't say that Plans is'nt as good as their earlier work, but it certainly is a bit different, and mostly, I think, for the better. There are a couple weak songs (Summer Skin, Someday You Will be Loved) but this is made up for by some of the strongest and most beautiful and thought provoking songs I've ever heard. I'd have to say that I enjoyed Tranatlanticism a little more, but I'm far from disappointed.… Expand

Not the upbeat and witty death cab that I love. But introspective and melencholy. Good.. but less "fun."

Some of the lyrics are a downer, but that makes me love it even more. Anyone that has ever lost a loved one can indentify with the lyrics to What Sarah Said. This is my first experience with this band but it won't be the last.

I can't believe how critical people are of DCFC all of a sudden, just cuz they're on Atlantic. This a fantastic album that blows away other new releases by Kanye West, Stellastarr*, The Coral, etc. Truly a beautiful album... so what if it's not Transatlanticism Pt2.

Not quite as good as Transalaticism but nothing is.

This is album is simply amazing.

Yikes! Kill me out-loud if I enver hear this again. Put it away in the away closet, haha!

I believe that death cab is an original voice in pop music today. Managing to paint a balanced blend of hope and sadness into their music about life and love

I Will Follow You into the Dark alone makes the album a 7. Overall it's superb, and the last "floundering" tracks are actually quite good and very DCFB.

An excellent sample in the evolution of Death Cab...The first 5 tracks are great. Then it hits 3 very oddly place tracks which threw me for a spin at first. I wasn't sure i was listening to the same band as i was in the tracks previous. So it took a downfall there. But it was redeemed by the last 3 tracks with some excellent musicianship and rhetoric. I would recommend this album for any Death Cab Fan and anyone interested in finding out what they're all about.… Expand

ben gibbard is a genius.

A must have for any DCFC fan. Although perhaps not quite an equal to it's predecessor Transatlanticism, Gibbard's lyrical genius is made evident through Plans. From the somber, emotional tracks such as "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" and "What Sarah Said" to the more upbeat "Soul Meets Body," Plans picks up right where Transatlanticism left off.

A 7.5 really. Half brilliant, half good, which is more than you get from most. A worthwhile purchase, and a refreshing return to smart music and meaningful lyrics.

The lyrics of "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" and "What Sarah Said" are incredible, while the sound of "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth" keep the album balanced. I think anybody could relate with the lyrics in one of these songs if they paid attention.

This album is good, really good. Its also one of the ones that you really have to listen to a few times to fully appreciate. Many of the negative reviewers have complained that now with this album Death Cab will become a high school pin-up band. I take objection to that criticism. First of all, I don't think Death Cab is poppy enough to really catch on with teenagers. Second, if teenagers do get into this, so much the better- maybe Death Cab is elevating expectations for pop music (something which is sorely needed in my opinion). In any case, the simple fact that teenagers will listen to it is no grounds for any valid criticism... maybe the critics just can't find anything negative to say about it! "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is the best among a handful of truly excellent songs on the album which on their own deserve a "10".… Expand

Nothing against Transatlanticism -- I enjoyed it very much -- but Something About Airplanes is Death Cab's finest work, and it wasn't mentioned a single time in all of these reviews. Well, no more! SAA, collect your due! As for Plans, it's a ho-hum record on Death Cab's major-label debut. There are a few good songs to be found, but overall the effort falls flat.

DCFC's best album, which is saying a lot. This is THE album for driving through a natural setting in spring or fall -- something I do everyday on my way to school, so I dig it. >_> "Brothers" goes down as one of my all-time favorite songs, along with DCFC's earlier work "A Lack of Color".

An amazing mix of soul, sound, and beauty.

Amelia says it best "another beautiful album from DCFC" I love them all its just an ongoing journey with ben & co. his voice is so addicting this was acually my first DCFC album ... But I immediately went and bought their previous albums... not sure that I have a favorite.

Stunning. After reading some of the above reviews and notably the NME one, which was in line with all NME reviews, a waste of time, I felt compelled to stick up for Plans. This is the 2nd DCFC album I heard, getting into them late via itunes and I have never looked back. I didn't think I would ever find a band that that almost took the thoughts and feelings from inside of me and put them to song. Great lyrics, sound, atmosphere....its all here. If you are new to DCFC the back catalogue is certainly worth your time. Oh and for the record no song has ever hit me with such resonance as Summer Skin.… Expand

Great album one of the best of the last decade cant understand the low metacritic score so many good songs like "crooked teeth" "brothers on a hotel bed" and my personal favorite "what sarah said" listen to the lyrics carefully one of the saddest and most heart felt songs you will ever hear.

This album is incredible! Definetly their best yet!

If you are involved in some kind of personal trauma with your significant other, there can be no album more powerful or affecting. Listen to the lyrics carefully and you'll see the genius in Gibbard.

This disc is marginal. They should have just pulled the best tracks from thier prior releases for this major label debut. Most people purchasing it would not know the better...and would probably be much happier with the product.

Not quite as rewarding as 2003's Transatlanticism, but nearly as good, and certainly an interesting new direction. Already tired of hearing indie-minded critics' disdaim of major labels color their review of the album. Sigh. Just listen to it -- it's great stuff.

great but not as good as translactilisim

Why is this great album getting such bad reviews? Critics are trying to make it into the album that they wanted. Plans is a step forward -- it is looser, more jam-based, and less formulaic than Transatlanticism. The new album is trippy, it's enlightened, it's just plain sweet. GET IT!

Not quite as good as Transatlanticism, but what could be that great? Really a wonderful album to be listened to over and over and over... Probably my second favorite of their albums with The Photo Album right behind it as a close third... Just a great band that should really be enjoyed.

what's the problem? i buy the indie stuff and this is good stuff.

A wonderful listen, even if it is more polished than before. Some bands work well as emotive, kind, and gentle bands; DCFC is one of them. Just because the album is innoffensive doesn't mean that it doesn't carry weight or meaning. Now that they've made the major-label jump, they'll be the next critical' whipping-boy, just like Coldplay has suffered. Anyone who denies the beauty within or meaning behind this music is purposefully blocking that realization - or maybe they need their pulse checked. This is a powerful album from a band who is growing up - and letting go of the feeble attempt to remain the young indie group of old. Of course, if they threw in some cliche indie trademarks, they'd be bashed for not "growing up". Listen to the music, and decide for yourself - don't let the critics ruin a band with their spiteful negativity.… Expand

Easily one of their most coherent and fluid albums to date. A great example of the indie-pop genre. People interested in what indie music sounds like should look no further than DCFC.

Ben Gibbard is the most pretentious navel gazing musician I've ever had the misfortune to hear. Will's comment ("listen to the lyrics carefully and you'll see the genius in Gibbard") is true if totally inverted - Gibbard seems completely incapable of writing a line that isn't: a) cliched, b) cheesy, c) mawkish, d) precious, e) some nauseating combo of the above. This stuff is music for terminal bed-wetters.… Expand

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.

To all the people who reviewd this album nauseatingly romantic and wussy, clearly you've been listening to the wrong band if you want something that's hardcore. Don't bother wasting your time reviewing this band as if it was As I Lay Dying. Of course it's soft and romantic, because that's the kind of music DCFC produces. I personally love the album, and the lyrics to "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" are some of the best I have ever read. "Brothers On A Hotel Bed" is not to be overlooked either. I think this is a wonderful effort from a band that seems dedicated to staying true to their sound, and I don't really care that they made a jump to a major label. I don't know why people should hold it against them for wanting to be successful. That's all for me.… Expand

Not as good as their last album but still okay.

No, it's not the best DCFC album, but it does have its highlights such as the opener, "Marching Bands of Manhattan," and the steady paced "Soul Meets Body." Once bands reach that point in their career where fans start to criticize the subtleties and repetitive nuances of each song, sometimes they forget to sit back and enjoy the album for what it is. I hope this band makes albums for years to come.… Expand

(Kitty V - - a funny negative review --but I can only comment on your review here) I had never heard of Death Cab or previous bands Ben was in so when I first listened to this album, I thought his voice was so funny I would imitate it around my brother who turned me on to this album. The most sincere reviews are those where the listener gets attached to the music through certain events and I was wandering around the coastal towns of Maryland in the summer of 2006 looking for work when this album kept playing and it stuck with me, so it gets a 9 even if it actually, scientifically sucks… Expand

"Plans" is the album that made me start listening to Death Cab For Cutie. I loved this album the first time I heard it and I still love it to this day. Each track has it's own sense of beauty. Ben Gibbard's croons are so melodic and vocally harmonic. The opener "Marching Bands Of Manhattan" is a wonderful opener and really starts the album off. All In All, Plans is just as good as "Transatlanticism", maybe even in someways, better. A… Expand

Great album...The two first tracks alone "Marching bands..." and "Soul meets body" would make any album a good one and are about my two favorite DCFC songs. The rest of the album is not Transatlanticism of course, but I like the way they didn't tried to make a more concept or "intellectual" follow-up to Trans, which most bands try to do after a breakthrough album. Plans is simple, sincere and their most melodic album to date, it's not schizophrenic and sludgy like Narrow stairs. I'd put Plans second best album of the band after Trans.… Expand

Get this album if you like: albums that sound like one big piece instead of 12 little ones, songs about feelings, lyrics you have to think about to understand fully, or having hope that everything will be okay. Do not get this album if: you like catchy music; you don't like listening to the same album a million times; you want your album to have a lot of variation in style; you just want to dance.… Expand