iTunes

Opening the iTunes Store.If iTunes doesn't open, click the iTunes application icon in your Dock or on your Windows desktop.
iTunes

iTunes is the world's easiest way to organize and add to your digital media collection.

We are unable to find iTunes on your computer. To preview and buy music from Narrow Stairs (Bonus Video Version) by Death Cab for Cutie, download iTunes now.

Already have iTunes? Click I Have iTunes to open it now.

I Have iTunes Free Download
iTunes for Mac + PC

Narrow Stairs (Bonus Video Version)

Death Cab for Cutie

View More By This Artist

Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music.

iTunes Review

With tunes such as “You Can Do Better Than Me,” “Pity and Fear,” and “The Ice is Getting Thinner,” it’s safe to say no one will accuse Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard of getting too comfortable with his band’s continued popular success. The Death Cab cult grows with each release and 2008’s Narrow Stairs should expand their base even further, since it manages to both remain true to the band’s slumbering speeds and heartfelt manifestos while also focusing their sound into a tight, active unit. Backed with electric piano and Gibbard’s earnest vocals, “Grapevine Fires” paints a creepy romantic portrait of a man, his lover and her daughter in a cemetery observing a distant brushfire. “I Will Possess Your Heart” begins with a long, lurking intro before giving way to an obsessive admirer’s verbal promise to win the affection of his obsession. “Your New Twin Sized Bed” lopes with an irresistible melody. Whether the moments are dark or walking towards the light, Gibbard and his indelible tunes evoke a sweetness not often heard in modern pop music.

Customer Reviews

Death Cab Has Done It Again

Now, although this album is much different than the previous albums, it still has the aspects that makes DCFC so appealing to so many multitudes. Gone is the previous format of overwhelming slow songs with the occasional uptempo track for quite the opposite. This new LP is stock full of movers and shakers, but still retains the modesty and innocence that we know and love. Track by Track Review: (1) Bixby Canyon Bridge: 8; great opener. Only downside is the 2+ minute long "jam session" in the middle of the song that easily could have been left out. (2) I Will Possess Your Heart: 7.5; This might stir some controversy, but I am NOT a fan of the beginning 4.5 minutes of the same beat over and over. Besides that, great song (3) No Sunlight: 8.5; Repetitive, but not to the point of annoyance or aggravation (4) Cath...: 9; Not as melodic as the other tracks, but still a great song with an even beter message (5) Talking Bird: 8.5; For some reason, this song's lyrics are a tad humorous, but I wouldn't have it any other way (6) You Can Do Better Than Me: 8; As soon as I started to really enjoy it, it ended. I want MORE (7) Grapevine Fires: 10; After a couple listens, this song showed itself as a true masterpiece, in both melody and lyrical prowess (8) Your New Twin Sized Bed: 10; This may have some unoriginal lyrics (We've all heard this before), but the beat and rhythm cannot be denied (9) Long Division: 10; This song just makes me want to get up and dance. Who knew math could be so fun? (10) Pity and Fear: 8.5; Very dark. Very mysterious. Very intriguing. Not so radio friendly, but that fits the mood (11) The Ice Is Getting Thinner: 9.5; One of the slower songs on the album. At first listen, it may not seem like much, but trust me, let it grow on you, it's truly great Final thoughts on this album are that: a- A lot more upbeat b- A little more melodic c- A lot more polished and refined Whether it's better than their previous albums or not is merely an opinion, but it cannot be denied that DCFC is going into a new direction. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Not their best stuff...

And with that being said, it probably still deserves 4 stars. Narrow Stairs is a good album in its own right, but since its Death Cab, its just average, nothing really special. If you're a fan of Death Cab because of Plans and Transatlanticism, be wary of purchasing Narrow Stairs, because you might end up very disappointed. The powerful and expansive chorus lines, catchy singles and emotionally driven acoustics are nowhere to be found on Death Cab for Cutie's 6th album. Narrow Stairs, seems rather well, narrow in scope and is honestly pretty boring at times. It almost seems that Chris Walla wanted to restrain Ben's vocals and let the instrumentals define the album...which is a shame. Narrow Stairs is a deviation from Plans and Transatlanticism. Die-hard Death Cab fans will still love this album, blindly give it 5 stars and defend it by saying that its just a band moving forward with their music or whatever. Be that as it may, I just wanted the next great summer album, songs that I could sing to while driving or relax to at the pool. That may be selfish of me, but hey, I've been spoiled. Top Tracks: 1. Grapevine Fires 2. Cath... 3. I Will Possess Your Heart (Radio Edit)

Eclectic Genius

Narrow Stairs starts off with a bang, immediately rolling in with Gibbard's smooth and silky voice telling a picturesque tale of lost love. Bixby Canyon Bridge indeed ends up being one of the best tracks on the disc. The second track, I Will Possess Your Heart, is an epic, 8 minute and 35 second track consisting of 4 full minutes of instrumentals before the lyrics begin. I must say that while in general, Gibbard's lyrics are what really make Death Cab, the tune is so catchy that it is hard not to enjoy the whole song. Other excellent tracks include You Can Do Better Than Me, The Ice Is Getting Thinner, Your New Twin Sized Bed, Long Division, and my personal favorite, Grapevine Fires. You Can Do Better Than Me is a lovely short, lasting only 1:59, while the lyrics of The Ice is Getting Thinner are reminiscent of Summer Skin from Plans. Long Division is some excellent Indie Rock/Pop and Your New Twin Sized Bed is equally upbeat, featuring a great guitar hook. Grapevine Fires is a perfect display of Gibbard's vocals and brilliant songwriting talents and features a deep and soothing bass line. Overall, Narrow Stairs falls just short of We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, Death Cab's greatest album, and indeed one of the finest albums of the last decade. With that said, Narrow Stairs is a fantastic album in its own right and ends up being well worth almost three years of waiting. Do pick up a copy for yourself and enjoy it.

Biography

Formed: 1997 in Bellingham, WA

Genre: Alternative

Years Active: '90s, '00s, '10s

Death Cab for Cutie's rise from small-time solo project to Grammy-nominated rock band is one of indie rock's greatest success stories. Launched in the bayside college town of Bellingham, Washington, the group was originally a side project for singer/guitarist Ben Gibbard, an engineering student at Western Washington University who split his time between school and music. Taking a break from his local power pop band, Pinwheel, Gibbard began recording an album's worth of solo material during the summer...
Full Bio

Top Albums and Songs By Death Cab for Cutie

Listeners Also Bought

Become a fan of the iTunes and App Store pages on Facebook for exclusive offers, the inside scoop on new apps and more.