|
The Postal Service Album: “Give Up [Bonus Track]”
| Album Information : |
|---|
| Title: |
Give Up [Bonus Track] |
|
|
|
Release Date:2003-06-30
|
|
Type:Unknown
|
|
Genre:Rock, Adult Alternative, New Wave
|
|
Label:Sub Pop
|
|
Explicit Lyrics:Yes
|
|
UPC:4995879234150
|
Review - :
Coming off their work on {$Dntel}'s beautiful {^This Is the Dream of Evan and Chan}, {$Jimmy Tamborello} and {$Death Cab for Cutie}'s {$Ben Gibbard} team up again for their full-length debut as {$Postal Service}, {^Give Up}. Instead of covering that EP's territory again, with this album the duo crafts a poppier, {\new wave}-inflected sound that recalls {$Tamborello}'s work with {$Figurine} more than {$Dntel}'s lovely subtlety. However, {$Ben Gibbard}'s famously bittersweet vocals and sharp, sensitive lyrics imbue {^Give Up} with more emotional heft than you might expect from a {\synth pop} album, especially one by a side project from musicians as busy as {$Tamborello} and {$Gibbard} are. The album exploits the contrast between the cool, clean synths and {$Gibbard}'s all-too-human voice to poignant and playful effect, particularly on {^Give Up}'s first two tracks. {&"The District Sleeps Alone"} bears {$Gibbard}'s trademark songwriting, augmented by glitchy electronics and sliced-and-diced strings, while {&"Such Great Heights"}' pretty {\pop} could easily appear on a {$Death Cab for Cutie} album, minus a synth or two. Despite some nods to more contemporary electronic {\pop}, {^Give Up}'s sound is based in classic {\new wave} and {\synth pop}, at times resembling an {\indie} version of {$New Order} or {$the Pet Shop Boys}. Songs like {&"Nothing Better,"} a duet that plays like an update on {$Human League}'s {&"Don't You Want Me?,"} and the video-game brightness of {&"Brand New Colony"} sound overtly like the '80s brought into the present, but the tinny, preset synth and drum sounds on the entire album recall that decade. Sometimes, as on {&"Recycled Air"} and {&"We Will Become Silhouettes,"} the retro sounds become distracting, but for the most part they add to the album's playful charm. The spooky {\ballad} {&"This Place Is a Prison"} is perhaps the most modern-sounding track and the closest in sound and spirit to {$Gibbard} and {$Tamborello}'s {$Dntel} work. The crunchy, distorted beats and sparkling synths recall both {^This Is the Dream of Evan and Chan} and {$Björk}'s recent work; indeed, this song, along with the {&"All Is Full of Love"} cover {$Death Cab} included on their {^Stability} EP, could be seen as an ongoing tribute to her. Overall, {^Give Up} is a fun diversion for {$Tamborello}, {$Gibbard}, and their fans. It doesn't scale the heights of either of their main projects, but it's far more consistent and enjoyable than might be expected. [A Japanese version added a bonus track.] ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
|
|
