Death Cab for Cutie - You Can Play These Songs with Chords

Full Title - You Can Play These Songs With Chords. Album includes Out-Of-Print rarities and never-before released songs. 18 tracks. Barsuk Records. 2002. Album Description

 Well worth a listen, or two, or three
Most of the tracks on this offering are lo-fi and just full of washed-out, Pacific Northwest, dreary-day angst. This sound is distinctive from the brighter, fuller sound on their more recent releases. The last 10 tracks are bonus (compiled from various releases), including a Smiths cover, a glitzy-pop dance song, a sample-heavy track with a hint of hip hop rhythms, and a lovely closer.

I've come to regard this album as one of my favorites. It is an intensely honest, brazenly youthful, at times lonesome, and ultimately accomplished and varied gathering of tracks. A strong sense of time and place (geographical references abound), a personal remoteness balanced with sense of warmth, and a love of city and home run throughout. It takes such a long time to absorb and to get to know the album that by the time you do, you can't help but have a strong affection for it. May 31, 2007

 DCFC really does have something for everybody.
This album takes you on a ride just as the other dcfc albums do...you are mesmerised from track 1 until the end. my personal favorites are "president of what", "champagne from a paper cup", "pictures in an exhibition", and "amputations" (although i like the "something about airplanes" versions of these songs more). But, to speak of favorite songs with this band is irrelevant for most true fans because every song is enjoyable in one way or another. I haven't heard one that I don't like. May 17, 2006

 Recommended For Fans Only
This is a collection of Barsuk Record's DCFC rarities and unreleased songs. This contains some of their earliest work, before they developed their sophisticated style of indie rock. After having listened to all of their albums, this album is the "rawest". The layered production of their later work is gone, although the catchy hooks and energy of the band shines through. DCFC is one of the most unique and individual indie bands to emerge in years, and their influence of ska, and punk come through. President of What, Champagne From a Paper Cup, Pictures In An Exhibition, Amputations,and Line of Best Fit all were rerecorded for their first album Something About Airplanes. This Charming Man is a Smith's cover, my favorite songs are State Street Residential, and Army Corps of Engineers, and Song For Kelly Huckaby. At 18 songs, this is still a good listen. There is a great balance of fast and slow songs. It is interesting to see how much of a rock band DCFC was in the beginning and how they've grown. February 3, 2006

 DCFC's Best Album
I might get a lot of negative responses from this review, but in my opinion this is the best album Death Cab has produced. It is very complete, well thought out, and each song says something. I have been a Death Cab fan for a long time, and have every single album they have produced, listened to each one countless times, and this one strikes me as their best one. Maybe this doesnt get the appreciation it deserves because not every fan has this album. Give this cd a chance and listen to each song carefully, and you will see what i'm talking about. Trust Me. March 25, 2005

 An Acquired Taste
I evidently didn't listen to the advice given here when I bought this CD as my first Death Cab for Cutie purchase. I agree, some songs are a bit odd at first (I thought some sounded like Beatles songs) but after a few listens I really like this album. Highlights are Predesident of What?, Champagne from a Paper Cup, Hindsight, and TV Trays. November 28, 2004

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