#1 – Transatlanticism (2003)

At this point, it’s clear that the first seven years of Death Cab’s musical tenure were the golden days. However, the peak of these golden days came with the release of Transatlanticism in 2003. 

Coming off of Ben Gibbard’s unprecedented success with The Postal Service (another indie rock group) and their album Give Up (2003), Death Cab for Cutie had found renewed attention. Whatever overcame the band in 2003 to produce such an unforgettable record has failed to be replicated since. Transatlanticism is the band’s magnum opus.

In general, Transatlanticism is a very moving record. It is one of the more emotional Death Cab records, but the heartbreak that riddles the lyrics in Transatlanticism is less obvious and easier to swallow than it is in albums like Kintsugi. 

The album’s title track is a seven minute “confession” to a lover who has been emotionally distanced from the narrator, and the Atlantic Ocean is used as a metaphor to show how far the two have grown apart. For four minutes, Gibbard repeats the words “I need you so much closer” as more instruments come in, the drums get louder, and the guitar strums get heavier. It all culminates in the final minute of the song as a beautiful harmony of voices repeat the words “so come on.” 

The song “Title and Registration” tackles the sadness and regret of heartbreak while simultaneously calling a car’s glove box a misnomer: “I was searching for some legal document / When I stumbled upon pictures I tried to forget.”

The delicate vocals and gentle instrumentals of both “Passenger Seat” and “A Lack of Color” also add a shade of hopefulness to this album, as if Death Cab was saying that things do get better.

Simply put, Transatlanticism is without a doubt Death Cab for Cutie’s greatest record. There is not a more cohesive album, both emotionally and musically, released by the band. It is by far their most complete musical effort.

Best Song: Transatlanticism