Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 08/18/1998
The fact that
Elsinor and
Barsuk, two relatively small labels, conspired to co-release
Something About Airplanes should give some indication as to its quality. It's a solid, emotive, and frequently amazing
indie rock record that could very well be considered somewhat important. Sonically,
Death Cab for Cutie falls somewhere on the dreamier and more
pop-oriented end of
Built to Spill's sound (particularly on
Keep It Like a Secret), alongside
the Posies' most pensive tracks, or with
Delta Haymax -- that is, dynamic, melodic, and somewhat atmospheric Northwestern
rock. What's important, however, is that the composition, arrangement, and perfect vocal harmonies of
Something About Airplanes are all hugely effective; the band uses light touches of flute, synth, or cello to add the necessary textures to its well-crafted
pop songs, and the result has a consistently impressive and thoroughly engaging quality that rivals
Built to Spill's
Keep It Like a Secret. Which is quite a complement -- but tracks like
"Bend to Squares" and
"Pictures in an Exhibition" deserve as much adulation as one can offer.
~Nitsuh Abebe, All Music Guide
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