Plans
With a growing indie-rock fan base that included *O.C.* character Seth Cohen, Death Cab for Cutie finally moved up to a major label with *Plans*, their fifth full-length release. It’s both the modestly forward-looking effort past listeners would have expected and a bold leap forward. Ben Gibbard again sings for those with aching hearts, a bit puzzled about where they find their young lives going, but this time from a more resolutely grown-up position. Like R.E.M. before them, Death Cab is building an impressive catalog from diverse blocks that click into place nicely.
After four Barsuk albums of often stately, melodic indie pop, Death Cab for Cutie become the first of the "O.C."-boosted indie bands to make the leap to the majors.
Newcomers looking for a solid indie-pop record would be better served picking up Death Cab’s last album.