Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys

• Gatefold
• Lyrics included

• Album Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)
• Sound Quality: 5/5 (Perfect)
• Packaging: 4.5/5 (Excellent)

For Death Cab's seventh studio album, Codes And Keys, lyricist Ben Gibbard took a different approach to his songwriting than in past efforts. This is an upbeat, life-affirming album through and through.

Musically, the album takes on a much more experimental form than we've seen from Gibbard and co. in the past. The production is phenomenal, intertwining Death Cab's excellent musicianship with new and exciting soundscapes that enhance the listening experience tenfold. For examples of this, look no further the opening track, "Home Is A Fire". The first single from the album, "You Are A Tourist", is almost over the top in its positive, upbeat energy. That said, it is not over the top, but somehow manages to balance itself perfectly within the album.

The vinyl is absolutely delicious. It is candy to the ears. Atlantic Records certainly did not waste the amazing production value of this album on cheap plastic; it's pressed on 180 gram vinyl that brings out all the sounds and musicianship wonderfully.

The packaging is excellently done as well. The two vinyl records are housed in a thick gatefold sleeve and come with lyrics on a separate sheet of paper.

If you're a fan of Death Cab For Cutie and the awesome power of vinyl, I urge you to pick up this record! Buy it here (Amazon): Codes & Keys

The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed

• Non-gatefold
• No lyrics

• Album Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)
• Sound Quality: 4/5 (Great)
• Packaging: 3/5 (Average)

Apologies for the month long hiatus from posting, it's been a busy couple of months but I'm back now with plenty of vinyl to review, so let's jump right in!

We Shall All Be Healed is singer/songwriter John Darnielle's semi-fictional telling of his teenage years with his friends involved in the methamphetamine scene. The lyrics are heartfelt and at times inspiring. It's clear that Darnielle did not hold back on this one. This is The Mountain Goat's second album to be recorded in a studio and as a full band, the first being the previous album, Tallahassee. Standout tracks include "Your Belgian Things" and "Palmcorder Yajna", the latter of which is one of my personal favorite Mountain Goats tracks.

The vinyl sounds great, adding a layer of depth that you just don't get from the digital version. The packaging is slightly subpar, consisting of a non-gatefold sleeve and no included lyrics, but it does the job.

List: The Decemberists Power Ranking

6. Her Majesty
Album Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)

5. Castaways And Cutouts

Album Rating: 4/5 (Great)

4. The Crane Wife

Album Rating: 4/5 (Great)

3. The King Is Dead

Album Rating: 4/5 (Great)

2. The Hazards Of Love

Album Rating: 5/5 (Masterful)

1. Picaresque

Album Rating: 5/5 (Masterful)

Arcade Fire - Funeral

• Gatefold
• Lyrics included

• Album Rating: 5/5 (Masterful)
• Sound Quality: 5/5 (Perfect)
• Packaging: 4.5/5 (Excellent)

Here it is! I finally managed to pick it up at Best Buy a few nights ago! So without further adieu, here is the review of Arcade Fire's 2004 debut album, Funeral.

Before Funeral, Arcade Fire's only release to date was a self-titled EP that was met with mixed reactions. Funeral, however, showed the world just what these kids from Canada could do. Hailed as a modern classic, Funeral is undoubtedly one album no one should miss.

Kicking things off with the beautiful and catchy "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)", Funeral somehow manages to maintain its momentum throughout the entirety of the LP. "Wake Up", a track that is equal parts triumphant, hard-hitting, and unmistakably beautiful, is one that is sure to be remembered for decades. While songs such as "Une Année Sans Lumiere" and "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" slow down in tempo, they are no less powerful, creating a sense of balance that makes this album what it is.

Funeral on wax is absolutely amazing. Turn it up nice and loud for a listening experience you won't soon forget. It was newly reissued on 180-gram vinyl.

The packaging is very well done, featuring a nice thick gatefold jacket that is even embossed. A small booklet is also included, with lyrics and credits featured inside.

Do not miss this album! Get Funeral on vinyl here (Amazon): Funeral (180 Gram Vinyl + Download)

List: Spoon Power Ranking

It looks like the Funeral review will have to be postponed for a little while longer. I went to two Best Buys and both were out of stock! I did check with them and they told me they would be ordering more soon. In the meantime, here's my Spoon power ranking!

7. Telephono
Album Rating: 3/5 (Average)

6. A Series Of Sneaks
Album Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)

5. Transference
Album Rating: 4/5 (Great)

4. Gimme Fiction
Album Rating: 4/5 (Great)

3. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Album Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)

2. Girls Can Tell
Album Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)

1. Kill The Moonlight
Album Rating: 5/5 (Masterful)

Best Buy Gift Card Poll Results

You voted and I will listen (and review)! Arcade Fire's Funeral blew away the competition for the album you want me to review! Tomorrow I will be purchasing Funeral on vinyl with my Best Buy gift card, and will have a review of the vinyl edition of the album up in the coming days! So stay tuned!

Wolf Parade - Expo 86

• Gatefold
• Lyrics included

• Album Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)
• Sound Quality: 4/5 (Great)
• Packaging: 4/5 (Great)

Wolf Parade's third studio album, Expo 86, was released in 2010 to very positive critical acclaim and about as much commercial success as is possible for a slightly off kilter indie rock band such as Wolf Parade. Wolf Parade is graced with not one, but two fantastic songwriters; Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner alternate songwriting/vocal duties in a Lennon/McCartney fashion.


Expo 86 is a shining example of great indie rock; it's quirky and charming in all the right places while still being supported by the excellent musicianship of the band. Standout tracks include "What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had To Go This Way)" and "Ghost Pressure". "Yulia" tells the tale of a Russian cosmonaut that was allegedly lost in space after a failed mission to the Moon. This is of course only an urban legend, but Wolf Parade's interpretation is uncharacteristically heartfelt, displaying a side to the band that has yet to be seen.

The album comes on two heavy pieces of wax and sounds great. The vinyl brings out the many different soundscapes created by the band wonderfully.

Expo 86 is packaged in a full-color gatefold jacket. It features lyrics and credits on the backs of the two inner sleeves.

Purchase Expo 86 on vinyl here (Amazon): EXPO 86