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Field Manual

Chris Walla

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iTunes Review

Though it’s his role as a multi-instrumentalist with Death Cab for Cutie that raised his public profile, Chris Walla is best known to his fellow musicians as an accomplished producer, lending his ear and expertise to Nada Surf, Tegan and Sara, the Thermals and the Decemberists. Ironic then that until 2008’s Field Manual, Walla has issued his solo work only as low-budget, low-fi self-releases (as limited edition cassettes under the name Martin Youth Auxiliary). Not surprisingly this big studio self-titled debut is loaded with ideas. Anyone versed in Death Cab for Cutie and their earnest pop will find much to relate to here, whether it’s the sharp power-chord pop guitars of “The Score,” the Cure-like synth lines that cement the hook of the guitar-chugging “Everyone Needs a Home” or the jangly ‘80s pop guitars of “Everybody On.” Walla’s thin achy vocals recall the fragility of Alex Chilton and Big Star, his hooks fall somewhere between the ‘db’s and the Gin Blossoms (“Our Plans, Collapsing”).  Sweet melodies throughout.

Customer Reviews

Amazing Solo Album!

The album opens up with a slowly building track, “Two-Fifty,” then suddenly shifts gears into the monstrous indie rocker “The Score,” which sounds like a B-Side from Death Cab’s “Crooked Teeth EP.” Things then roll into a nice little compact track, “Sing Again,” which, for some reason, reminds me of “Soul Meets Body” from DCFC’s album Plans. Maybe it’s the similarity in guitar strums… The pace of the record is then slowed down with a nice acoustic ballad “A Bird Is A Song.” Things then get louder with the absolutely wonderful track “Geometry &C,” complete with “da de dum dum” chorus which sounds an awful lot like a rip-off of Death Cab’s “Sound of Settling.” Of Course, if you liked that song than you will definitely like “Geometry &C.” Chris Walla then attempts some Ben Gibbardesque complex lyrics in “Everyone Needs a Home.” This is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album, even though Chris isn’t quite as capable a word-smith as Mr. Gibbard. The piano riff in this song gets me every time. Beautiful. The next track, “Everybody On,” is also very good, and gets things ready for the next track, “Our Plans, Collapsing.” Up ‘till now, the album flowed pretty well, but it is the next three tracks that are really the icing on the cake. “Our Plans, Collapsing,“ is absolutely wonderful, and is most definitely the highlight of the album. Chris then goes into a funky bass-and-drum led track, “Archer V. Light,” with very political lyrics. Another amazing track. Things then roll into the driving track “St. Modesto.” However, that is where the good stuff ends. Chris ends the album with two moody ballads that potentially could have had amazing build ups to a wonderful conclusion, but just don’t pay off in the end. Almost like the track “Transatlanticism” sans the magnificent chorus at the end. However, these two ending tracks aren't *bad* at all... they just slow things down. Still great songs. So, overall, there are definitely some wonderful gems of indie rock songs on this album. However, I was fairly disappointed that the album ended on such a slow note. If you like Death Cab For Cutie, definitely purchase this album. Chris Walla might not have as beautiful a voice as Ben Gibbard, and he may not be able to fashion words to Gibbard’s standards, but he sure knows how to use instruments to bring out certain emotions in you. He makes up for where his lyrics fail with wonderfully orchestrated music. Best Tracks: Geometry &C., Everyone Needs a Home, Our Plans, Collapsing, and Archer V. Light... However, the whole album is stellar, so you might as well just get it all!

Well worth the download

Solid effort from Mr. Walla. The middle of the album is particularly strong. Standout tracks include Sing Again, Geometry &c, and Everybody On. It stands very well on its own and serves a much greater function than simply bridging the gap until the next dcfc album.

Great!

I love Death Cab, Tegan & Sara, The Decemberists, and The Postal Service, all major major projects and groups of Walla's. The "Hall of Justice" is amazing, even if this was probably recorded in Portland...but I love Chris, and can't wait for the new DCFC album in May!!! But anyway, Field Manual is beautiful and smart. Much like Ben Gibbard's "All-Time Quaterback!" It's great, and a must buy if you are either a Tegan & Sara fan or DCFC fan

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