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Transatlanticism
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Transatlanticism Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 190 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the fourth album for the Washington-based indie group led by Ben Gibbard (also of the Postal Service) and Chris Walla.

Top Track

Transatlanticism
The atlantic was born today and I'll tell you how The clouds above opened up and let it out I was standing on the surface of a perforated... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. E! Online
    100
    Ben Gibbard has a knack for painting scenes of such intimate detail they come off as universal.
  2. Spin
    91
    [Death Cab] have never made the truly great album that their best songs promised. Until now. [Nov 2003, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    90
    This album is a beautiful trek through time that pays tribute to the human condition with simple melodies and honest storytelling, a nearly perfect pop record. [Review 1, Score: 100] For old-school Death Cab supporters, it's gut-check time: Did you like these guys for their "rock" or their "indie"? While the secret is out, the music is still too emotionally honest and infectiously witty to hold at a distance. [Review 2, Score: 80]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Under The Radar
    90
    It's their best yet, and that's saying something. [#5, p.100]
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  5. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Grand without ever being bloated, humane without settling into pessimism, the best indie band in North America remind us why sometimes, the rewards do not equal the output.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    Transatlanticism should be overwrought -- it's an album about young men enduring lost love in an ocean of memory; instead, it feels like a conversation with an old friend.
  7. No Ripcord
    60
    It's just comfortable and pleasant enough to convince yourself to stick around - never good enough to be satisfying, nor bad enough to be disappointing.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 61
  3. Negative: 1 out of 61
  1. chris
    Oct 21, 2003
    10
    Damn near flawless...my pick for album of the year.
  2. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 8, 2011
    10
    Probably one of the greatest albums of all time, "Transatlanticism" covers so much ground it hurts. Tracks like "A Lack of Color" and "TinyProbably one of the greatest albums of all time, "Transatlanticism" covers so much ground it hurts. Tracks like "A Lack of Color" and "Tiny Vessels" explore the subtleties of the human connection, while others like "The New Year" and "Transatlanticism" (featuring the greatest lyrics the band has ever written) attempt to summarize entire personalities. It's an album that makes the word 'terrific' insufficient in describing its brilliance.… Expand
  4. TonyF
    Feb 2, 2005
    10
    Amazing CD! Highly recommended! You wont be disappointed at all you will love it!
  5. WhitneyH
    Mar 5, 2008
    10
    I adore this CD, I listen to it at least once a day. All the lyrics are captivating, and you feel as if you're there with the band. When I adore this CD, I listen to it at least once a day. All the lyrics are captivating, and you feel as if you're there with the band. When I listen to this CD, I am spun into this world where no one can touch me, it's the best CD in the world. If you have never listened to this CD, you haven't lived.… Expand
  6. purifycolor
    Apr 22, 2011
    10
    One of my favorite albums ever...this is the absolute perfect collection of angst, full of beautiful lyrics and corresponding instrumental. AnOne of my favorite albums ever...this is the absolute perfect collection of angst, full of beautiful lyrics and corresponding instrumental. An instant classic in my opinion, and to this day this is my go to album for any kind of depressive mood.… Expand
  7. starsbedivided
    Jul 7, 2013
    9
    Transatlanticism is a great record, hands down. Pitchfork (I can't say surprisingly) gave it a slightly mixed review, and while I think it'sTransatlanticism is a great record, hands down. Pitchfork (I can't say surprisingly) gave it a slightly mixed review, and while I think it's not as varied than The Photo Album, it's definitely not their worst.… Expand
  8. BunifaJ.
    Oct 26, 2003
    0
    Oh what! This aint no rap album. all I could hear wuz some bitches singing some shit about some fotoboofff. Damn dat is nasty ass shit right there.

See all 61 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best Album of 2003
22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2003
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2003

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