Anyone else get this one yet? (I’m looking at you, exoder) It debuted at #1 on Billboard, got glowing reviews across the board (except from Pitchfork, but you know … they’re Pitchfork), but after having listened to it straight through yesterday in one sitting, I was decidedly underwhelmed. It’s not a terrible album by any means, but for about 75% of the album, the melodies and many of the lyrics seem, well, phoned in. And while they’re certainly not known for being happy, this release finds them growing even more hopeless and pessimistic about finding happiness.

The first single, “I Will Possess Your Heart,” clocks in at a studly 8.26, but that’s mostly due to its four-and-a-half minute instrumental intro. The meat of the song is the final 3+ minutes, which includes my favorite moment on the album: a bridge-that-seems-like-it-should-be-a-chorus that contains the melodies and lush orchestration Death Cab has hung their hat on for much of the the past decade.

“Cath…” is a pleasant song as well, and I also like “Pity and Fear” despite its shockingly abrupt gimmick ending.

Other than those three songs … meh. I’ll definitely listen to it again, especially if they decide to announce a GR gig.