#5 – Something About Airplanes (1998)

We’ve now reached the point in this review where the rest of the albums that will be discussed are all really good. No matter the rating, no matter the “worst song,” these albums are all pretty solid from here on out. 

Something About Airplanes is definitely a hidden gem in the Death Cab discography. 

For being the band’s debut studio album, Something About Airplanes is an impressively complete display of musical talent. With reverb-drenched guitar licks from Chris Walla, distortion-ridden vocals from Gibbard, and powerful percussion from drummer Nathan Good, Death Cab for Cutie sounded already comfortable with their musical style when this record was released. The dreary slowcore sound and winding guitar melody of “Sleep Spent” that is nearly immediately followed by the infectiously dynamic drumbeat and fuzzy guitar riff of “Amputations” is a clear example of this album’s musical variety. 

It’s the most 90s and grungy that Death Cab ever sounded, and it is really fun to listen to.

Best Song: Amputations

Worst Song: The Face That Launched 1000 *****