NARROW VISION

Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

I'll save the excuses. But I come bearing gifts, sort of - it depends on the type of Death Cab for Cutie fan you are. If you're like me, you are unsure if you can even consider yourself a fan (most likely because the majority of the group's songs are either A) sleep-inducing B) forgettable or C) lame). If you're Adam Brody or someone who enjoys the band's melodic yet safe tracks, then I offer you the alleged first single from the band's forthcoming album Narrow Stairs.

The song, titled "I Will Possess Your Heart," is 8 minutes and 36 seconds long. Supposedly the radio version will be cut significantly, but it doesn't matter. While some touted that Narrow Stairs is the album to push Death Cab to Radiohead status, this first single does not make a strong case for the transcendence. If "Your Heart" is indicative of Narrow Stairs, then Gibbard & Co. might be experiencing creative stagnancy.

The elements of the song - Gibbard's vocals, though more forceful than previous songs, is still the centerpiece while his band plays lounge act - offer nothing new to those already familiar with the band. The most exciting aspect of the track is the prominent bassline that at least establishes a groove, but still, this is bland stuff. After the nearly nine minutes had elapsed, I was left wondering what I had been waiting for.

Death Cab is no stranger to testing its listeners' patience with long songs. But, unlike "Your Heart," they have succeeded before. The title track to the band's best album, Transatlanticism, clocks right under 8 minutes. Where it succeeds and "Your Heart" doesn't is in the build-up. There is no conflict in "Your Heart," but rather an unnecessary repetition of playing - no crescendo, very minimal soft-to-loud dynamics, no reason to stick with the lengthy piece. On the other hand, "Transatlanticism" first revolves around a simple, slow-playing piano part but allows growth through the duration of the song. Gibbard seemingly chants "I need you so much closer" while the guitars, piano and especially drums build to an expansive wall of sound. The song is exhausting but in a good way, because it rewards its listener for sticking with it. "Your Heart" lacks this pay-off and only disappoints those of us who hoped Gibbard and his band might have finally realized their shortcomings.