Something About Airplanes

シアトル出身、4ピースのエモ系ギター・バンド、デス・キャブ・フォー・キューティの記念すべき1stアルバム（1998年リリース）！ハードコアの流れにあるエモっぽさとインディーらしい実験精神に溢れつつも後に見せる繊細でキメ細かいサウンドがすでに顔を見せ始めている。彼らの快進撃はここから始まった！

The fact that Elsinor and Barsuk, two relatively small labels, conspired to co-release Something About Airplanes should give some indication as to its quality. It's a solid, emotive, and frequently amazing indie rock record that foreshadows Death Cab for Cutie's eventual ascent into the mainstream. Sonically, the band falls somewhere on the dreamier and more pop-oriented end of Built to Spill's sound (particularly on Keep It Like a Secret), alongside the Posies' most pensive tracks, or with Delta Haymax -- that is, dynamic, melodic, and somewhat atmospheric Northwestern rock. What's important, however, is that the composition, arrangement, and perfect vocal harmonies of Something About Airplanes are all hugely effective; the band uses light touches of flute, synth, or cello to add the necessary textures to its well-crafted pop songs, and the result has a consistently impressive and thoroughly engaging quality that rivals Built to Spill's Keep It Like a Secret. Which is quite a complement -- but tracks like "Bend to Squares" and "Pictures in an Exhibition" deserve as much adulation as one can offer. ~ Nitsuh Abebe