User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 203 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 168 out of 203
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Mixed: 14 out of 203
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Negative: 21 out of 203
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Jun 30, 2011
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KevinMSep 26, 2005
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BrendanMSep 5, 2005softer than transatlanticism, but a very provoking album
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JoshuaLAug 31, 2005
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JayPAug 30, 2005Kicks 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.
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petefAug 30, 2005Upon 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.
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tomSep 1, 2005of 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.
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StuartMSep 14, 2005Album starts off great but gets kinda boring towards the end.
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ScottWSep 1, 2005
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emilyd.Sep 2, 2005i 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.
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jaySep 2, 2005This 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.
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LindsayFSep 8, 2005Absolutely nothing can surpass Transatlanticism, but without comparing Plans to any of their other albums, it's still amazing.
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TomNJan 4, 2006One of my new favorites
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LachlanWApr 5, 2006Although 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.
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AmeliaEAug 30, 2006Another beautiful album by Death Cab
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michieljOct 28, 2005genius
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LaurenlOct 8, 2005Not as good as Transalaticism, but it certainly won my ears.
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joshtAug 30, 2005
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raytAug 31, 2005sorrow drips into your heart like a pinhole? come on wow
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TristanHAug 30, 2005
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AzamNSep 17, 2005This 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.
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JimSep 20, 2005After 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.)
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MarkSep 25, 2005
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GlennMSep 2, 2005What an awsome album, soul meets body is one of my favorite songs ever and the lyrics I think have improved.
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nickybSep 4, 2005The 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
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AleksC.Sep 4, 2005
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NathanSep 5, 2005Some good songs, not as good as the last album. Someone pleae put a hi res version on e-mule
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SimonSep 5, 2005Death 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.
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BoBSep 5, 2005amazing album...
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ChrisGSep 7, 2005Plans 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.
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kennysOct 2, 2006I 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.
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GuillaumeFMar 25, 2009I 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.
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EthanNov 1, 2005Not 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.
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JadeOct 12, 2005i 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.
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SquishyNutsOct 12, 2005Point: 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
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JosephSNov 26, 2005Basically 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.
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cooneyDec 6, 2005for all of you still looking for that right person "your heart is an empty room" is a song for you
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LukaOct 29, 2005Great album. Slower and harder to get into then the previous releases, but it grows on you.
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JordanGAug 29, 2005Good album, some touching songs
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katefAug 31, 2005i 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.
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ddddAug 31, 2005Not 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.
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PhilipRAug 31, 2005Not 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.
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JacobDAug 30, 2005It's not their best, but it's still very very beautiful.
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JohnOAug 30, 2005I 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.
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NateCSep 1, 2005Look, 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.
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[Anonymous]Sep 1, 2005
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Ericat.Sep 1, 2005Not the upbeat and witty death cab that I love. But introspective and melencholy. Good.. but less "fun."
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GarrettTSep 14, 2005Some 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.
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ChrisMSep 14, 2005I 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.
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MichaelSep 18, 2005Not quite as good as Transalaticism but nothing is.
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RobertB.Sep 2, 2005This is album is simply amazing.
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andrewbSep 2, 2005I 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
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LouSep 23, 2005I 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.
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TimWSep 4, 2005
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melanielSep 6, 2005ben gibbard is a genius.
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JustinFJan 1, 2006A 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.
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WillMMar 16, 2006A 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.
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FuzzyAug 2, 2006The 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.
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BillTSep 7, 2006
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IanBMar 13, 2007DCFC'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".
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BoazF.Apr 28, 2008An amazing mix of soul, sound, and beauty.
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AngelM.May 16, 2008Amelia 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.
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RichardP.Apr 16, 2009
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FearghalL.Jan 25, 2010Great 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.
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AnitaCOct 16, 2005This album is incredible! Definetly their best yet!
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WillDec 1, 2005If 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.
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MikeSAug 29, 2005Not 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.
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NeilAug 31, 2005great but not as good as translactilisim
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michaelsAug 31, 2005Why 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!
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EricYSep 11, 2005Not 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.
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rickmSep 14, 2005what's the problem? i buy the indie stuff and this is good stuff.
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MackSep 17, 2005
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RhyseMar 25, 2006Easily 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.
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ZachAug 29, 2006Though 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.
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JohnTSep 13, 2006
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alexfJul 25, 2007Not as good as their last album but still okay.
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Aug 27, 2010
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Sep 5, 2010
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May 3, 2011
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Jun 4, 2011
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Jun 11, 2011
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Dec 15, 2012Plans is a great album. No it doesn't live up to the variety that can be found on Transatlanticism but it is still great. With songs like "I Will Follow You into the Dark" and "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" you can't help but to love this album. Honesty this album has some of my favorite Death Cab songs on it and I would highly recommend it!
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Jul 7, 2013Plans is kind of Death Cab for Cuties's "The Moon & Antarctica"; It's not bad, it's just subtly different (in production and slightly in style) due to signing to a major label.
Awards & Rankings
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There is nothing like Transatlaticism's "Sound of Settling" here to offset the never-ending stream of ballads and down-tempo songs.
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This is certainly an album of progression that is likely to win the band plenty of new fans, but it shouldn't alienate their fanbase either.
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As albums, Transatlanticism and Give Up seemed greater than their parts, perfectly paced song cycles about love wracked by distance and time's march. Plans addresses similar themes, but without the same narrative glue or shape.