Kintsugi

Death Cab for Cutie's eighth full-length album, 2015's Kintsugi, finds the group sliding further into the studio smoothness that marked 2011's Codes and Keys. Produced by Rich Costey -- best-known for his work with Kimbra, Mew, Muse, Interpol, and Chvrches -- Kintsugi is also the last album Death Cab recorded with co-founding member Chris Walla, who announced he was leaving the band during the recording process. Sentiment has always been lead singer/songwriter Ben Gibbard's calling card, but as he starts to stare down the corridor to 40, he seems comfortable with leaving that open heart unadorned -- or, better still, gussied up in a coat of studio shellac. Although there are fragile solo numbers dotted throughout the album, most of Kintsugi shimmers upon a gloss constructed out of new wave remnants and faded memories of yacht rock. Conceivably, Gibbard's intent hews toward the latter -- such clean disco-rock diversions as "Good Help (Is So Hard to Find)" and the galloping collegiate rock echoes of "El Dorado" show a yen for art -- but his open heart nudges Kintsugi toward new millennial soft rock. This is a feature, not a bug. Gibbard has a gentle touch so having cushy, sugary melodies mirrored by a production equally as supple feels like a marriage of intent and sound. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

メジャー移籍後もインディー然とした活動を貫いている、(ほぼ)20年選手が放った8作目。結成メンバーであるクリス・ウォラ脱退の知らせに悲しんでいる方も多いと思うが、本作のクォリティーの高さに気を取り直すことだろう。80年代ニューウェイヴっぽい煌びやかなシンセ音の導入に驚かされるが、純度の高い歌を聴かせるという意味で彼らの魅力は何ら変わらない。その頑なさはもはやUSロックの良心といった感じか。
bounce (C)山口智男