If it hasn’t been said already Death Cab For Cutie‘s CODES and KEYS will hit stores everywhere on May 31st, 2011.  But more interestingly to note about the new album, Chris Walla, the band’s primary surgeon when it comes time to mix the album bowed out and let Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine) take the reigns this time. Perhaps this will allow Walla to focus solely on the music aspect now that the band’s seventh album is upon them and their last record’s anticipation quickly fizzled after the reviews came in for Narrow Stairs (see ours here).

Narrow Stairs, which reached a mere 6.0 from Pitchfork’s stingy critics, let many fans down. Songs such as “Norwegian Wood” and “No Sunlight” were either too far removed from the tangles of guitar work fans had been expecting or too varied from their traditional song structures. Alas, “I Will Possess Your Heart” and “Cath…” were two respectable songs which resembled much of the band we knew, who had developed one of the most loving Seattle fan followings in recent times. But Death Cab had explored their lives, and Ben Gibbard went On The Road himself to bring meaning into the album and eventually discovered much he didn’t like. Perhaps Narrow Stairs will be remembered as the turning point in the band’s career, but will also help make Codes and Keys that much better with all Gibbard and Co. have learned.

According to Walla in his interview below, the record will focus on more synths and less guitars. But it’s not that the guitars are completely absent this time around, but “other junk” will take its place to fill up the space, says Walla. More atmosphere, less cymbals, fewer “stomping” guitars, less strumming, and “melodic leads” as the interviewer puts it.

DCFC’s first single off the album will be not be “Codes and Keys” surprisingly, rather “Your Are A Tourist”. CODES and KEYS will be out May 31st, 2011, but you can preorder it here on DCFC’s official site.  You’ll get lots of crazy stuff if you choose to do so.  Also check out iTunes for any other songs you may have missed.

Track List:
01 Home Is A Fire
02 Codes And Keys
03 Some Boys
04 Doors Unlocked And Open
05 You Are A Tourist
06 Unobstructed Views
07 Monday Morning
08 Portable Television
09 Underneath The Sycamore
10 St Peter’s Cathedral
11 Stay Young, Go Dancing

Video: Chris Walla Interview in the Studio

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie – Codes and Keys (Live From San Francisco)
MP3: Ben Gibbard – When The Sun Goes Down (Live From San Francisco)

Tour Dates
5/24/11 – EDMONTON, AB – SHAW CONFERENCE CENTER – TICKETS
5/25/11 – CALGARY, AB – STAMPEDE CORRAL – TICKETS
5/27/11 – BEND, OR – LES SCHWAB AMPITHEATRE – TICKETS
5/28/11 – GEORGE, WA – SASQUATCH MUSIC FESTIVAL – SOLD OUT
6/26/11 – MUNICH, DE – MUFFATHALLE – TICKETS
6/27/11 – BERLIN, DC – ASTRA – TICKETS
6/29/11 – HAMBURG, DE – THE DOCKS – TICKETS
6/30/11 – AMSTERDAM, NL – MELKWEG – TICKETS
7/01/11 – PADDOCK WOOD, KENT, UK – HOP FARM FESTIVAL – TICKETS
7/02/11 – MILTON KEYNES, UK – THE NATIONAL BOWL – SOLD OUT
7/04/11 – MANCHESTER, UK – MANCHESTER ACADEMY – TICKETS
7/05/11 – NOTTINGHAM, UK – ROCK CITY – TICKETS
7/07/11 – LONDON, UK – BRIXTON ACADEMY – TICKETS

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Brendan

Co-founder of Music Under Fire. Indie rock lover, music addict and playlist guru. Digs unknown bands and reading comment threads.

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