Formed in Washington during 1997, Death Cab for Cutie has delivered nine studio albums over their 21-year career. Two decades of their music has definitely taken a toll on some of their members and their latest album Thank You For Today expresses how some of the members feel about it. This album consistently repeats the same type of sound, and the artists' work only within their safe zone.
By doing so they've guaranteed that this album will sell, but it also doesn't bring anything new or exciting to the old fans of Death Cab for Cutie.
Unlike other albums by the band, I only found a small handful of tracks on this album that stood out to me. Songs like "I Dreamt We Spoke Again", "Summer Years", "Your Hurricane", and "Northern Lights" all showcase the creativeness about this album. This is due to lyricist Ben Gibbard being able to focus on emotions that evoke a sense of longing for the past and wanting something you can't have. Lyrics like "Your voice was like a ghost in my head", and "I wonder where you are tonight, if the one you're with was a compromise" showcase how the person is constantly haunted by thoughts and memories of being with someone they love.
My favorite track on this album was "Your Hurricane" because I loved how dreary and mellow the guitar work was. By playing guitar in this way and softly singing lyrics like "I wont be the debris in your hurricane" the album shows it's central theme about loneliness and moving on. Additionally "Northern Lights" feature backing vocals from Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches and it sounds marvelous. The contrast between Mayberry and Gibbard's voice is fantastic and they did a great job with the track.
As a prior Death Cab for Cutie fan I enjoy this album because it sounds like everything else they have made since their 2005 album Plans. However, I was disappointed that the band didn't chose to experiment with their sound. I feel as though there weren't any risks taken on this album because Death Cab for Cutie has been around for two decades and they're getting old as a band.
When you get older you take less risks and that's what we're seeing now with this band. Thank You For Today received a 5 and a half out of 10 and I would only purchase this album on vinyl in order to complete my discography of the band.
