Transatlanticism
Encyclopedia
Transatlanticism is the fourth studio album by Death Cab for Cutie
, released October 7, 2003 on Barsuk Records
. Prior to the album's release, Ben Gibbard
stated: "...unlike The Photo Album
, I feel like this record is definitely more like a proper album. We’ve tried to construct it with transitions of songs going in and out of each other, and I think it's a little bit more expansive than the last record."
The album peaked at number 97 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The album has been certified Gold in the U.S. It is available on CD, SACD, and vinyl.
The album is Jason McGerr's first as the band's drummer. The album was rated the 57th best of the decade by Rolling Stone
.
, indicating "universal acclaim". Rob Theakston of Allmusic stated, "It's the group's maturity as musicians as well as songwriters that make Transatlanticism such a decadently good listen from start to finish" and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Among the most critical of the album was William Morris from Pitchfork Media
, who stated, "Transatlanticism dulls the edges of their usually acute divinations", although he gave the album a positive review.
NPR Music
named the album one of the fifty most important recordings of the decade.
except where noted, all lyrics by Ben Gibbard
Additional personnel
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, released October 7, 2003 on Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
. Prior to the album's release, Ben Gibbard
Ben Gibbard
Benjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
stated: "...unlike The Photo Album
The Photo Album
The Photo Album is the third studio album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, released on October 9, 2001.-Track listing:All songs written by Ben Gibbard except where noted.#"Steadier Footing" – 1:47#"A Movie Script Ending" – 4:19...
, I feel like this record is definitely more like a proper album. We’ve tried to construct it with transitions of songs going in and out of each other, and I think it's a little bit more expansive than the last record."
The album peaked at number 97 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. The album has been certified Gold in the U.S. It is available on CD, SACD, and vinyl.
The album is Jason McGerr's first as the band's drummer. The album was rated the 57th best of the decade by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
.
Reception
The album received highly positive reviews, and is to date the band's most acclaimed album. Transatlanticism scored an 85 on MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, indicating "universal acclaim". Rob Theakston of Allmusic stated, "It's the group's maturity as musicians as well as songwriters that make Transatlanticism such a decadently good listen from start to finish" and gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Among the most critical of the album was William Morris from Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, who stated, "Transatlanticism dulls the edges of their usually acute divinations", although he gave the album a positive review.
NPR Music
NPR Music
NPR Music launched in November 2007 to present public radio music programming and original editorial content for music discovery. The Web site is a project of National Public Radio, a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to 797...
named the album one of the fifty most important recordings of the decade.
Track listing
All songs written by Ben GibbardBen Gibbard
Benjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
except where noted, all lyrics by Ben Gibbard
- "The New Year" (Ben GibbardBen GibbardBenjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
, Nick HarmerNick HarmerNicholas Harmer is the bass guitarist for the group Death Cab for Cutie.-Personal life:Harmer was born in Landstuhl, Germany. He attended Governor John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington, and was President of his senior class...
, Jason McGerrJason McGerrJason McGerr is the current drummer for the band Death Cab for Cutie. McGerr was previously in Krusters Kronomid and Eureka Farm as well as the Seattle jazz trio Rockin' Teenage Combo. McGerr is an instructor at the Seattle Drum School when not playing drums for Death Cab for Cutie...
, and Chris WallaChris WallaChristopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
) – 4:06 - "Lightness" – 3:30
- "Title and RegistrationTitle and Registration"Title and Registration" was the third single taken from Death Cab for Cutie's 2003 album Transatlanticism. It was officially released as an internet-only single that could be streamed through the band's website. Promo copies of the single were released on CD...
" (Gibbard and Walla) – 3:39 - "Expo '86" (Gibbard and Walla) – 4:11
- "The Sound of SettlingThe Sound of Settling"The Sound of Settling" is Death Cab for Cutie's sixth single release and also the second single from Transatlanticism.-Development:...
" – 2:12 - "Tiny Vessels" (Gibbard and Harmer) – 4:21
- "Transatlanticism" (Gibbard and Walla) – 7:55
- "Passenger Seat" – 3:41
- "Death of an Interior Decorator" – 2:56
- "We Looked Like Giants" (Gibbard, Harmer, McGerr, and Walla) – 5:32
- "A Lack of Color" – 3:35
Personnel
Death Cab for Cutie- Benjamin Gibbard – vocals, guitar, piano
- Nick HarmerNick HarmerNicholas Harmer is the bass guitarist for the group Death Cab for Cutie.-Personal life:Harmer was born in Landstuhl, Germany. He attended Governor John R. Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington, and was President of his senior class...
– bass guitar, vocals on "Transatlanticism", foot-stomp and hand clap effects on "The Sound of Settling" - Jason McGerrJason McGerrJason McGerr is the current drummer for the band Death Cab for Cutie. McGerr was previously in Krusters Kronomid and Eureka Farm as well as the Seattle jazz trio Rockin' Teenage Combo. McGerr is an instructor at the Seattle Drum School when not playing drums for Death Cab for Cutie...
– drums, foot-stomp and hand clap effects on "The Sound of Settling" - Christopher Walla – guitar, keyboards, production, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
(except "The Sound of Settling" and "Tiny Vessels"), recording, vocals on "Transatlanticism" - Mike Kezner - sitar, vocals on "Death of an Interior Decorator"
Additional personnel
- Ed Brooks – masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- John GoodmansonJohn GoodmansonJohn Goodmanson is an American recording engineer and indie rock record producer.-Selected discography:*Aiden "Conviction " *Simple Plan "Crash and Burn"...
– mixing on "The Sound of Settling" and "Tiny Vessels" - Rob Herbst – foot-stomp and hand clap effects on "The Sound of Settling"
- Sean NelsonSean NelsonSean Nelson is an American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, notable as the frontman for the alternative rock group Harvey Danger.- Career :...
– vocals on "Transatlanticism" - John RoderickJohn RoderickJohn Roderick is an American musician and writer. Born in Seattle, Washington, he grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist in the band The Long Winters and was formerly a touring member of the band Harvey Danger...
– vocals on "Transatlanticism" - Phil WandscherPhil WandscherPhil Wandscher is the former guitarist of the alt-country band Whiskeytown, and is currently a member of Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter.Wandscher appeared on Death Cab For Cutie's album Transatlanticism, singing backing vocals on the album's title track...
– vocals on "Transatlanticism"