#4 – We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes (2000)

As much as I really enjoy Something About Airplanes, Death Cab’s sophomore album, We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, is essentially a cleaner, more mature version of their debut.

The album’s opening song, “Title Track,” begins by sounding like another song that could have been on Something About Airplanes. However, after just a minute, it seamlessly transitions from lo-fi slacker rock to a much more refined sound, essentially summing up how this album compares to Something About Airplanes. 

We Have the Facts just sounds better. 

The guitar riffs lost their reverb, Gibbard’s vocals turned from distorted cries into fragile croons, and the band’s new percussionist, Michael Schorr, pulled back on the drumming while still keeping it effective. 

Sonically, it is a much more depressing record than Something About Airplanes. “Little Fury Bugs” contains some pitifully dark lyrics: “As the hope that you’ll never return in a while / But you’re always on time, so.” The inexplicable tenderness of “The Employment Pages,” accompanied by Gibbard’s lulling vocals, sounds like the band is trying not to wake their parents sleeping in the next room. The quiet glockenspiel chimes on “No Joy in Mudville” are gradually extinguished by the addition of more instruments until the entire band is playing at full volume before quickly going back to their ‘don’t wake the parents’ sound. It’s all very interesting to listen to.

Despite this album’s share of slow songs, it also has some upbeat ones that are very enjoyable, including “Lowell, MA” and “Company Calls.” 

Overall, this is a great record. Anyone who is interested in a unique spin on the early 2000s indie scene should definitely give this album a try.

Best Song: No Joy in Mudville

Worst Song: 405