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Codes and Keys
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Codes and Keys Image
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71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

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Top Track

You Are a Tourist
This fire grows higher This fire grows higher This fire grows higher This fire grows higher When there's a burning in your heart An endless yearning... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    May 27, 2011
    100
    It's a reminder to the rest of the pretty-rock community that loveliness is worthless if there's no heart behind it, and Death Cab's beats stronger than most.
  2. BBC Music
    May 27, 2011
    80
    As such it is an understated and subtlety magnificent pleasure.
  3. Q Magazine
    Jun 7, 2011
    80
    Perhaps Codes And Keys's seemingly illogical sequencing of songs makes sense if they wish to lure their audience into thinking it's as-you-were. But it's not: things are different and better. [July 2011, p. 110]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Rolling Stone
    May 24, 2011
    70
    The positivity is hardly worry-free, and the arrangements, shaped by My Bloody Valentine mixologist Alan Moulder, add disorienting details (the dubby ghost vocals on "Doors Unlocked and Open") for those listening closely. But at core, these are resplendent songs, the sound of a sad-sack acquiescing that life might be pretty awesome after all.
  5. Filter
    Jun 1, 2011
    70
    Perhaps the charm of Codes and Keys stems from the clever recycling of tropes-both musical and thematic.
  6. Kerrang!
    Jun 2, 2011
    60
    Unfortunately, not everything works quite as well [as the opening and final tracks]. [21 May 2011, p.51]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. PopMatters
    Jun 1, 2011
    40
    It's a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is this: Codes & Keys is the worst album of their career.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. chillewille1994
    Jun 2, 2011
    10
    This album is officially one of my favorite albums of the year and it is easily the best album death cab has put out since Trans. This writingThis album is officially one of my favorite albums of the year and it is easily the best album death cab has put out since Trans. This writing is spot on, the instrumentation is crisp and Ben Gibbard's voice shines. This is a big step in the right direction after taking a couple steps backwards with narrow stairs. I highly recommend this album.… Expand
  2. Nedloh94
    Jun 4, 2011
    10
    My number one fear was that this would be the worst Death Cab for Cutie album of their career. That fear was not realized this time around. IfMy number one fear was that this would be the worst Death Cab for Cutie album of their career. That fear was not realized this time around. If anything, it's one of their better albums. It doesn't quite match Transatlanticism or We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes greatness, however it is a remarkable record. It is grand, lush, and chalked full of some of the group's best material.… Expand
  4. Weezle
    Aug 16, 2011
    10
    After listening many, many times I have come to realise that this album is an absolute delight to listen to. Ben Gibbard has done it onceAfter listening many, many times I have come to realise that this album is an absolute delight to listen to. Ben Gibbard has done it once again with his superb lyrics, and deep song-writing. I will go as far as saying that it's possibly their best album yet, and certainly their best album since Transatlanticism. What amazes me about this band is that they continue to be innovate: this album differs entirely to Narrow Stairs, Plans and Transatlanticism, and it has turned out to be remarkable. They may end up being remembered for this album. I am shocked that it was not received as well as it should have been by critics. Songs such "Some Boys", "You Are a Tourist" and "Doors Unlocked and Open" really do stand out on this record, as always, Gibbard choosing to end the album with a beautiful song "Stay Young, Go Dancing".. this is a sign of the wonderful talents still to come from this band. It's often a hard thing to create consistent albums, but Death Cab For Cutie have done it once again. This album is no exception from that.… Expand
  5. mamzellec
    Jun 2, 2011
    8
    I'm sad that this new album by Death Cab have such a low scoreâ
  6. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 30, 2011
    8
    After Narrow Stairs, I was a tad worried, but only for about a minute. You could call it a return to form, but I think it should be noted it'sAfter Narrow Stairs, I was a tad worried, but only for about a minute. You could call it a return to form, but I think it should be noted it's change in direction. The band stated their main inspiration for this record was Brian Eno's Another Green World, which is noticed in the landscape and rhythm of the songs. Each song has it's place and there are no duds. Great for driving down the highway.… Expand
  7. vmd1020
    Jun 2, 2011
    8
    Although I do not think this is their best work, I definitely think this album should be accessible to Death Cab fans and beyond. "You Are aAlthough I do not think this is their best work, I definitely think this album should be accessible to Death Cab fans and beyond. "You Are a Tourist" is arguably a Top 10 Death Cab song of all time and they definitely were correct when they said the album is less guitar driven. What I really love about this band is their ability to continually make good albums. That being said, they peaked at Transatlanticism but have since released 3 solid listens of albums. This album is definitely worth checking out.… Expand
  8. LetzTalkMoveez
    Sep 17, 2011
    4
    Death Cab For Cutie's "evolution" has merely consisted of depression and angst turned joy and fairy dust. It's kind of annoying, and while theDeath Cab For Cutie's "evolution" has merely consisted of depression and angst turned joy and fairy dust. It's kind of annoying, and while the angst in their early records was still accompanied by a certain happiness and escapism, it also entailed the exploration of human emotion that could only be expressed through music. "Codes and Keys" is the same song on every track, the same emotion, the same little trick that needs a shake-up from repetition.… Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2011

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