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

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  1. SamF.
    May 15, 2008
    4
    An extremely boring album. The opening track isn't bad, but it goes downhill from there. Eye-rolling lyrics. Gibbard needs to stop saying things like "the place where your soul had died" He can't do it without sounding foolish and a little stupid. Cath... (a passable track) is NS's Tiny Vessels but without a sense of melody. "Long Division," would be a good song if the An extremely boring album. The opening track isn't bad, but it goes downhill from there. Eye-rolling lyrics. Gibbard needs to stop saying things like "the place where your soul had died" He can't do it without sounding foolish and a little stupid. Cath... (a passable track) is NS's Tiny Vessels but without a sense of melody. "Long Division," would be a good song if the vocal production didn't ruin it. As a whole, completely boring. It will leave fans of Death Cab's early work reaching for the Photo Album.… Expand
  2. GregT
    May 21, 2008
    3
    Death Cab continues to do the same thing over and over again. The lyrics are the same over-enunciated genericism about souls and death and eyes and boring things like that. The drummer, who is probably the band's most talented member, continues to limit himself quite obviously, and the apparent single, "I Will Possess Your Heart" is a sad, failing, and empty attempt to be avant-garde Death Cab continues to do the same thing over and over again. The lyrics are the same over-enunciated genericism about souls and death and eyes and boring things like that. The drummer, who is probably the band's most talented member, continues to limit himself quite obviously, and the apparent single, "I Will Possess Your Heart" is a sad, failing, and empty attempt to be avant-garde with a two-bar bassline that repeats the entire way through 8 minutes of barely any activity until the same old Death Cab boredom comes back four minutes in. The fact that they (as spoken in interviews) think that this album is "experimental" just shows that Death Cab really doesn't get it. To still consider this 'indie', which was barely even acceptable with the release of "Plans," reveals a willingness on the part of the musical community to go along with whatever a hit band vomits up. They do it with Panic(!) at the Disco, they do it with Radiohead, and they do it with Death Cab For Cutie. There is potential in Death Cab's songwriting, but Ben Gibbard and company need to spend a little more time writing an album and a little less time buying bigger and bigger black-frame glasses and looking inquisitive.… Expand
  3. milli
    May 29, 2008
    8
    Well - this album is great. very sad though - all the songs have a great sadness to them. almost feels similar to something about airplanes - and gibbard's voice sounds a little different, but i can't put my finger on it. I'm flying interstate to see them in august. ..providing I can get a ticket as the freakin OC made my fave indie alternative band popular!!! grrr.
  4. ChadS.
    May 17, 2008
    8
    I like the metal-like riffage on the back-end of "Bixby Canyon Bridge". To me, it's a subtle reference to the film "Once", when the guy from The Frames plays that brief speed-metal song about his ex in the back of the bus. That's just me. Many bands noodle(Yo La Tengo, for example), but the noodling on "I Will Possess Your Heart" might be a tribute to the long track on I like the metal-like riffage on the back-end of "Bixby Canyon Bridge". To me, it's a subtle reference to the film "Once", when the guy from The Frames plays that brief speed-metal song about his ex in the back of the bus. That's just me. Many bands noodle(Yo La Tengo, for example), but the noodling on "I Will Possess Your Heart" might be a tribute to the long track on Wilco's "A Ghost is Born". Maybe. Again, that's just me. "You Can Do Better Than Me" sounds like "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys without reminding you of an Elephant Six band, or R.E.M.'s "At my Most Beautiful". "Narrow Stairs" never attains the heights of "Such Great Heights"(so it was used in a car commercial: get over it, already), but it's a well-varied, and mostly delightful album.… Expand
  5. LimeyQ.
    May 28, 2008
    2
    The most disappointing album of the year so far. Mediocre songs played clumsily with cheesy lyrics and bad arrangements. They sound like a second rate Wilco at their worst.
  6. ae
    May 29, 2008
    10
    Joseph- no way. transantlantisism or photo album is their best. and Chad - such great heights is postal service, not death cab. Weirdfish - my god you insult me they are NOT emo... and Sam - if Cath is any song it is death of an interior decorator, not tiny vessels. Fools.
  7. ColinG
    Jun 25, 2008
    6
    When I read that the official Death Cab fan club had reacted negatively to this new release, I knew that it had some promise. And I'm really happy to see Death Cab coming back to the promise that they showed on "Transatlanticism" but, unlike that album, many of the tracks on this one fail to continue the momentum that the more introspective ones introduce. When listening, skipping When I read that the official Death Cab fan club had reacted negatively to this new release, I knew that it had some promise. And I'm really happy to see Death Cab coming back to the promise that they showed on "Transatlanticism" but, unlike that album, many of the tracks on this one fail to continue the momentum that the more introspective ones introduce. When listening, skipping around a bit actually makes the album sound much better. The opener, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," opens up an atmospheric layer to the album, as you follow the lyrics under the namesake Big Sur bridge to the ocean, carried on by the following "I Will Possess Your Heart," a track which has received so much negative attention for being long and drawn-out. I will admit that the bassline becomes a bit monotonous, but it also works well to set up the drama in the rest of the song. But, after that, things fall apart. Skipping onto "Cath..." and then to "Grapevine Fires" would be best if you liked the first two tracks, as it almost as if tracks like "Long Division" and "No Sunlight" were added to placate the more pop-friendly fans that joined the party on "Plans." But kudos to the band for actually writing an album that their fan-base will likely pan as too ethereal and spaced (read: boring). It indicates that there remains hope for a band that many had thought lost to the MTV/Clear Channel money machine. Maybe the next album.… Expand
  8. SpencerV
    Jun 5, 2008
    9
    I just don't get what critics want from this band. This is another Death Cab masterpiece.
  9. RickyK.
    May 13, 2008
    9
    Even great on first listen, "Narrow Stairs" proves the band has interest levels in evolving from being sad most of the time. A very fun album indeed with standout tracks like "No Sunlight", "Grapevine Fires", and "Your Brand New Twin Size Bed" has some great lyrics as well as a great feel perfect for the Summer. Plans was a very good album but felt that only half the album had been Even great on first listen, "Narrow Stairs" proves the band has interest levels in evolving from being sad most of the time. A very fun album indeed with standout tracks like "No Sunlight", "Grapevine Fires", and "Your Brand New Twin Size Bed" has some great lyrics as well as a great feel perfect for the Summer. Plans was a very good album but felt that only half the album had been noticed. Narrow Stairs is almost there and makes you excited to see what will come out in 2011. Until then, Narrow Stairs should keep not only fans but new listeners busy until then.… Expand
  10. SeanP.
    May 13, 2008
    8
    The first two songs alone make the album worth buying but it gets better and better with each listen. Definitely between a 7-8. Not as beautiful as Transatlanticism but a lot more rocking than Plans. Great to get into their old material too. I wasn't a huge fan until this album, then I went backwards through their discography. Very accessible if you give it a few listens.
  11. DarrenR.
    May 14, 2008
    10
    Amazing, enough said.
  12. LukeD.
    May 14, 2008
    9
    Great album shows some creativity on the side of Death Cab. They have branched out into a heavier and, sorry to restate, raw sound. It is quite obvious that the group has not run out of inspiration. From the eerie-yet-soothing track Bixby Canyon Bridge to the end of the album, the creativity is evident and the sound is fresh.
  13. SteveF.
    May 18, 2008
    8
    I'm not a huge fan of the band but this album is worth checking out. Some excellent song writing skills! I really love the song 'Pity and Fear'. And also 'I Will Possess Your Heart' is very captivating.
  14. PercyH.
    May 18, 2008
    8
    Better than Plans, and on par with Transatlanticism. Most comparable to Transatlanticism and We Have the Facts. Highly recommended. Gibbard's lyricism is more to the point this time, but that turns out to not be a bad thing. The band takes a slightly less mainstream route with this album, but only when compared to their last two records. I think this is a better step forward than Plans.
  15. BigPapa
    May 19, 2008
    9
    I wish people would stop calling Death Cab emo. They're so much better then any whiney emo band. I give it a 9 because its not quite as good as the Photo Album or Transatlanticism. And Chad S, "Such Great Heights" is a Postal Service song. It may be the same singer, but its not the same band.
  16. JohnB.
    May 19, 2008
    6
    I've generally liked Death Cab's output a lot up to this point, and I think you can see a lot of elements of a great Death Cab record here. The problem, though - and it is significant - is that the "creative" production is really not that creative at all. It buries the songs' good elements underneath ones that are boring, often times repetitive, and quite frankly obnoxious. I've generally liked Death Cab's output a lot up to this point, and I think you can see a lot of elements of a great Death Cab record here. The problem, though - and it is significant - is that the "creative" production is really not that creative at all. It buries the songs' good elements underneath ones that are boring, often times repetitive, and quite frankly obnoxious. Case in point: "Bixby Canyon Bridge" starts the record off in fantastic fashion - melodically, lyrically, instrumentally - before suddenly transitioning into a boring bit of riffing and noodling which seems to say, "Look at this! We can sound different!". It doesn't fit the song at all, and hundreds of bands already do that, and have done it, much better. The attempts to move something new into the sound end up sounding painfully forced, though some work better than this ("No Sunlight", "Your New Twin-Sized Bed", and the single), and some worse ("Pity and Fear"). Again, underneath all this is still a pretty good DCFC record, but they really need to accept the fact that if they want to sound different, the nature of the songs might just have to change too. And that's the real challenge for any songwriter.… Expand
  17. DanielR.
    May 24, 2008
    10
    This album is an acquired taste. On my fifth listen-through I finally realized ho amazing it truly is. Beautiful musically, and a poignant meditation on loneliness.
  18. SpencerP.
    May 13, 2008
    10
    This album is awe-inspiring. Easily one of Death Cab's best records, and that's saying a lot. Very moving, very raw. Stronger than the typical Death Cab sound, which makes it that much better!
  19. JosephP.
    May 13, 2008
    10
    A fantastic record from start to finish, it's Death Cab's best outting by far, and something distinct and interesting. Early contention for album of the year, IMO.
  20. JordanF.
    May 13, 2008
    7
    I would give this album either a 9 or 10 with unanimous accolades for each and every track, except for the horrendous error in judgment the band used for 'Pity and Fear.' Honestly, how could this song make it through dozens of techinicians and musicians in the production chain? The song abruptly ends off beat at 4:21 with an obnoxious increase in volume followed by a downright I would give this album either a 9 or 10 with unanimous accolades for each and every track, except for the horrendous error in judgment the band used for 'Pity and Fear.' Honestly, how could this song make it through dozens of techinicians and musicians in the production chain? The song abruptly ends off beat at 4:21 with an obnoxious increase in volume followed by a downright annoying truncation of an otherwise fantastic, high-energy instrumental ending. Death Cab plugged this CD with some rather lofty and prideful statements, and track 10 on this release shows that pride in full extent. With Chris Walla at the helm of studio processes, there is no doubt in my mind that with this album, DCFC has forsaken their roots of indepedent music-making for self-centered and indifferent hateur towards what anybody thinks about their music, save for themselves.… Expand
  21. Weirdfish7
    May 16, 2008
    8
    Best Emo Band on the planet, and I know the word emo is insulting to a lot of fans, but these guys can play......and Gibbard knows how to write a song....8.5 actually.....I Will Possess Your Heart is their best song to date.
  22. ColinB.
    May 27, 2008
    9
    Almost the masterpiece that was Transatlanticism, Narrow Stairs sticks to your ears like peanut butter as it bounces proudly between consistently excellent tracks. Unlike the wildly inconsistent "Plans" from 2005, There are no missteps here. Favorites include the unpredictable yet exhilarating "Bixby Canyon Bridge," the pop perfection of "Cath," the haunting "Grapevine Fires," and the Almost the masterpiece that was Transatlanticism, Narrow Stairs sticks to your ears like peanut butter as it bounces proudly between consistently excellent tracks. Unlike the wildly inconsistent "Plans" from 2005, There are no missteps here. Favorites include the unpredictable yet exhilarating "Bixby Canyon Bridge," the pop perfection of "Cath," the haunting "Grapevine Fires," and the sad, solemn, and intriguing "The Ice Is Getting Thinner," a less catchy but more gripping version of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark." I'm not too bothered by the silly conclusion of "Pity and Fear," which seems to have everyone else rattled, but to me it is the only smudge on an otherwise solid album. Definitely a refreshing album in what has been an otherwise poor musical year.… Expand
  23. TomH.
    May 29, 2008
    8
    Unexpected excellent album.
  24. jimmck9
    Oct 20, 2010
    9
    A really good album. It's not s good as trans but its damn good. Cath is my favorite death cab song it's so catchy. A well done album, no songs are bad, some are better than others, but it is a really great album.
  25. currer_bell
    Jun 4, 2011
    3
    I can't believe how some people were able to dig that one out. This album is terrible... Except from the excellent opener Bixby canyon bridge every songs here seems to be a plain bore, absolutely not fun, melodic or catchy at all... or even artistically interesting. "I will possess your heart " will certainly go down in history as Death cab least good song they ever wrote, they probablyI can't believe how some people were able to dig that one out. This album is terrible... Except from the excellent opener Bixby canyon bridge every songs here seems to be a plain bore, absolutely not fun, melodic or catchy at all... or even artistically interesting. "I will possess your heart " will certainly go down in history as Death cab least good song they ever wrote, they probably already want to eradicate it completely from their catalog. It 's sad because to album cover and the title is really good, I really wanted to like that album, but unfortunately couldn't.… Expand
  26. TheDaveHimself
    Jul 13, 2011
    5
    I suppose this album had to happen as a transition between Plans and Codes & Keys, but I still never got on board this one. Decent songs throughout ("Cath" might be one of their better songs), but overall it felt more like a collection of B-sides and near misses. The flow on this album is nowhere to be seen.
  27. 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-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.
  28. 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're a big Death Cab fan or not.
  29. 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. 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 asI 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.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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. AllMusic
    80
    Narrow Stairs is far from desperate, however, and the album's willingness to steer Death Cab into unfamiliar territory (or, to reference an earlier lyric, "into the dark"), is by far its strongest asset.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    The songs here hit with a full-on assault of crunching guitar riffs, distorted, cracked vocals and walls of disorienting feedback, while lyrically, frontman Ben Gibbard visits the moodier and darker corners of his mind.
    Read full review
  3. Lost At Sea
    65
    Ben Gibbard has shown growth which each successive release, and made the jump to hooky pop-songsmith with the Postal Service's (apparently) one-off collaboration, but Narrow Stairs feels stagnant, devoid of even the superficial pleasures present on Plans.
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