Narrow Stairs might be the first album recorded by Death Cab for Cutie since Ben Gibbard's former solo project went unexpectedly stratospheric, but Gibbard hasn't let it go to his head. Oh, OK, maybe a little: lead-off single "I Will Possess Your Heart" is an eight minute jam that speeds off on one long, luminous curve before Gibbard's distinctive vocals swing in, sweet and plaintive as ever. Even when indulging their grander visions, though, Death Cab for Cutie are still familiar as the same band that wrote those fragile, winsome songs back before teen drama The OC came knocking. Never knowingly overstated, built from driving rhythms, flourishes of piano and intricate melodies, Narrow Stairs builds grand, emotionally loaded narratives from small, subtle parts. "Your New Twin Sized Bed" hides a deftly articulated tale of heartbreak and loneliness amidst soothing tangles of guitar, while "You Can Do Better than Me" is a sweet miniature that's part Pet Sounds orchestration, part wistful Dear John. This isn't, as Gibbard would previously hint, a dissonant or especially adventurous album. It proves, however, that Death Cab can extend their scope without diluting the pathos or energy of their music, and it not only sounds great, but bodes well for the future. --Louis Pattison

After relentless touring, performances on Saturday Night Live, and appearing on the cover of Spin and Paste Magazines, Death Cab for Cutie brings us Narrow Stairs. Following up their DVD collection, Directions, which sold over 30,000 copies and their platinum selling album, Plans, was no easy task but Narrow Stairs has already been praised by MTV.com as the band's most daring and adventurous effort to date.

I got "Narrow Stairs" for Christmas and am glad that I asked for it. It opens up with two great songs, "Bixby Canyon Bridge" and I Will Possess Your Heart." Obviously,the melancholy lyrics and plaintive singing of Benjamin Gibbard are the focal points. Not every song is a winner, but the songs that I like best also have very catchy pop hooks, which you can just groove along with. If you liked "The Photo Album," which I did, you definitely will like this one. Recommended.

Of all of Death Cab's albums, Narrow Stairs is by far the most haunting. As always, the band draws comparisons to fellow Northwestern indie rockers The Decemberists, but this time with the sad lyrics of a song by a band like The National. After 10 years together, Death Cab For Cutie finally sounds as experienced as any of the bands that paved the way for today's indie rock scene, such as Built To Spill and Modest Mouse in the mid 90s. Before the album was released, the song "I Will Posses Your Heart" was put up on the band's MySpace page and I was really disappointed that I had wasted 8 minutes of my time. It's not too bad of a song, but the first five minutes could have easily been cut out. I was also disappointed with the first track when I first listened to the full album, however by track 3 things definately picked up. After a few more listens to the album I realized that this was the first DCFC album that doesn't contain any songs that I often have to skip. The word on the street is that Death Cab's next album will not be as dark, but based on previous albums, darker is usually better.

Death Cab for Cutie lyrics is poetic and the music brings it all together. This album takes off where Plans left off, but with growth. FYI they sound awesome live!

This album did not initially stand out to me. It took two listens for everything to really sink in (the lyrics and the musicality)... Well worth it!! I love this album!

Look...I love this CD. DCFC have stretched their wings with this one. But I don't think the lyrical prose is there. Not like Plans, and certainly not like Transatlanticism. Gibbard's a genius, IMHO. But I think he strayed a bit on this one.

I'm looking forward to the future of DCFC. And, if you're new to DCFC, I'd certainly suggest Transatlanticism and Plans before I'd refer you to Narrow Stairs.