The Oct. 13 Death Cab for Cutie concert at the Fox Theatre felt like an evening with an altogether different band. In contrast with mellow performances of the past, the show was characterized by movement, energy and excitement, a result of the new sound of their latest release, “Narrow Stairs.” The crowd enjoyed the multi-part harmonies of openers The Fleet Foxes, whose sound was reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but was clearly awaiting bigger things.

The opening song of “Narrow Stairs” was the first taste of Death Cab’s new performance tone, as the band swayed to the booming “Bixby Canyon Bridge.” Any mounting fears that the band might mainly play songs from their latest album were quickly alleviated: they followed up with “The New Year” and “Why You’d Want to Live Here.” In the latter, one could hear the anger in Ben Gibbard’s voice as he sang out against the “shallow” city of Los Angeles. Each of the first four songs was from a different one of their four latest and best-known albums (“Narrow Stairs,” “Plans,” “Transatlanticism,” “The Photo Album”). Selections from each release were appropriately balanced.

Just about halfway through the show, Death Cab played a song from what some consider to be a concept album, “We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes.” This fairly obscure number, “Title Track,” which failed to receive much of an audience response, beautifully chronicles a one-night stand that means much more to the song’s protagonist than the partner.

The most engaging aspect of the show was Gibbard’s solo acoustic version of “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” during which the audience’s sing-along sweetly echoed throughout the theatre. The brilliant, instrumentally-layered “I Will Possess Your Heart” followed, with its intense bass line and loud drums that produced a rock ’n’ roll sound even better than the recorded version. The highlight of the song was both visually and musically sensational, as Gibbard’s piano led an instrumental buildup and multiple spotlights shone down on the band from all angles, creating an ethereal image of a true rock band—an image not previously associated with Death Cab.

The encore songs were huge surprises, as none came from “Plans” or “Narrow Stairs,” the band’s two best-known albums. The first song, “Your Bruise,” was off of their first album “Something About Airplanes,” which is currently being reissued in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. “Your Bruise” slowly unravels to bemoan situations in which individuals allow farsightedness to cloud their perceptions of the present and their emotions that are suppressed as a result.

The final three tracks all came from “Transatlanticism.” They played the more poppy “Title and Registration,” followed by the more cluttered song with ingenious lryics, “Tiny Vessels.” The show closed with an incredibly raw version of “Transatlanticism,” with Gibbard’s piano, shaky vocals and the accompaniment of a slow guitar. The song unexpectedly built up massive energy (even drummer Jason McGerr was standing up while playing) as the lyrics “come on” were repeated in different pitches and timings and climaxed with the guitars and bass.

Death Cab for Cutie is heading in the right direction, by both developing new sounds and styles, yet also paying tribute to where it all began.

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Tags: concert review, death cab for cutie, fox theatre, mellow, Music, narrow stairs

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Cadenza, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through this feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.