--Chris Iannantuono
Released September 6th, 2019 on Atlantic Records
Despite the name—no, Weezer isn't making good music again. You can go back under your rock of unrealistic expectations until no one comes to get you ever again. The Blue EP by Death Cab for Cutie released September 6th, 2019 is the latest release by the band since their 2018 full-length album Thank You for Today. The EP opens up with "To the Ground" a track I could have sworn I heard before; not because they released it a few weeks before the EP but because it’s more of the same—A bluesy driving guitar riff backed by a rising amalgamation of ambience, all of which drags along until familiar, wandering piano notes fill in the back until the crescendo, which brings all of the elements together quite well in an ending that sticks the landing of an otherwise "typical" Death Cab song.
The following track was also shown prior to the EP release, "Kids of 99." Aside from its unique subject matter, a tribute to the Bellingham Olympic Pipeline explosion, this song stands out the most in an EP where personality seems to be in short supply. A diversion from the typical slow driving rhythm of the rest of the songs, “Kids of 99” bounces back and forth between a syncopated snare driven beat topped by a catchy melodic guitar and a more relaxed chorus. Despite these variations, the waves of the disparate parts never feel forced.
The remaining songs on the album almost blend together, sharing a classic ghostly and solemn guitar tone with ambient synthesizer filling the in background. The EP feels careful and practical. It’s like oatmeal—It’s sustenance, it does its job, but it lacks any sort of discernible flavor that would otherwise keep me coming back for more. It’s a continuation of what has come before instead of a progression. Death Cab’s is at risk of becoming a generic version of itself.
But stagnation isn’t always the worst thing in the world for a band to experience. These guys are professional musicians and have mastered a style that is fully realized. The fact that Death Cab is still producing music at such a high level after all this time is remarkable. If you're a huge fan of theirs you've gained some more of the tracks you love. But this EP lacks any of the stand out tracks or evolution of style I would hope to see after so many years.
Of course you can stream the new EP wherever but if you’re curious about their gear check out the Rig Rundown video from 2015 below and compare it to their updated setup at Music Radar. Things haven’t changed too much and yes, Ben’s still playing his weird Mustangs with both pickups permanently turned on, but there have been some additions and modifications to the overall rigs (including the use of Fractal Audio Axe FX) so, definitely check it out.