Death Cab for Cutie - What Sarah Said

Love is watching someone die

So who's gonna watch you die?

Wow. That's definitely the most emo sounding lyrics I've posted thus far. I always loved "What Sarah Said" and it still gives me goosebumps when I hear Ben Gibbard ask that question. I've always pondered the meaning of those two lines, but only recently understood them. Because even though it sounds like something from those corny but cute comics on "Love is ...," it's meaning is as simple as those comics make love out to be. Watching a loved one die is one of the toughest things one can experience in life, but we wouldn't do it if we didn't love them, right? Ok ... I'll stop being morbid and depressing. [:

I'm sure by now you've heard of and most likely even heard some songs by Death Cab for Cutie. But for those who don't know much about them, here are the facts:

• The band was formed in Bellingham, Washington as a side project for frontman Ben Gibbard who was studying engineering at the time (1997).
• After releasing eight songs on cassette (no joke), the band decided to become legit and gave themselves the title Death Cab for Cutie (named after a song by the Bonzo Dog Band (wtf?)).
• They signed with Seattle-based Barsuk Records and released their debut LP, Something About Airplanes, in 1998.
• Ben Gibbard continued to work on his side project: the Postal Service.
• Fast forward: they released Plans, their 4th album and first under a major label in 2005. They remained on the Billboard charts for nearly a year, achieved platinum status, practically became the freakin soundtrack for the television series The O.C., and were nominated for a Grammy.
• Blah blah blah ....

One of my favourite things about Death Cab are their lyrics. I love that they're simple yet descriptive and filled with meaning. I think this song is a perfect example.

Thrice - Moving Mountains

I don't know the first thing about love

Thrice is one of those bands that have gotten better over time and shown actual growth and maturity in their music. Of course, this is up for argument, but I think it's safe to say that they definitely haven't flopped. If anything, I think their current style allows them to attract a larger fan-base that doesn't include prepubescent emo kids. Although, I admit that line from "Moving Mountains" at the top sounds a little emo. But I don't think Dustin is talking about love between two people. As their 4th LP showed, Dustin, and possibly the rest of the band members are men of higher faith. That is unless the line, "We are the image of the invisible" is referring to our stark resemblance to gravity.

Faith, however, is besides the point here. Regardless of what the band members of Thrice may or may not believe in, their last album is testament to their skills as musicians. The Alchemy Index is split into two LPs, which are split into 2 EPs. Each EP is named after the classical elements of fire water, earth and air, thus making up the "Alchemy Index." The song I chose is the first track from Vol. IV: Earth. This entire volume has a much sadder feel to it, but I just love the sound of "Moving Mountains." As much as I can enjoy their post-hardcore tracks, sometimes nothing gets me more than hearing Dustin sing over an acoustic guitar like in this song.

On that note, Dustin released his first acoustic solo album last year and is releasing a Christmas one this year. I love his live cover of Sinead O'Connors "Nothing Compares 2 U" that he did while performing under the alias "Ursus Veritas"--a play on Latin words meaning "(to) bear truth."