Death Cab for Cutie was an indie rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consisted of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar), Nick Harmer (bass), Jason McGerr (drums), and Chris Walla (guitar). Death Cab for Cutie was known for their unique indie rock sound, introspective lyrics, and Gibbard’s signature voice. The band achieved mainstream success in the 2000s with hit albums like Transatlanticism and Plans. However, in recent years, Death Cab for Cutie seems to have faded from the spotlight and popularity they once had. So what exactly happened to Death Cab for Cutie?
The Band’s Early Years and Rise to Fame
Death Cab for Cutie began as a solo project for Ben Gibbard while he was the guitarist for the band Pinwheel. He released a cassette called You Can Play These Songs with Chords under the name Death Cab for Cutie, a reference to a song by The Beatles. The project soon expanded into a full band with the addition of Chris Walla, Nick Harmer, and Nathan Good. Death Cab for Cutie released their debut album Something About Airplanes in 1998 on the independent label Barsuk Records. While the album didn’t gain much mainstream attention, it helped establish the band’s signature sound.
The band’s popularity grew substantially with the release of their second album We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes in 2000. Songs like “Title and Registration” and “The Employment Pages” showcased Gibbard’s talent for thoughtful lyrics and catchy melodies. While still on Barsuk Records, Death Cab for Cutie was becoming an underground sensation, especially among indie rock fans and college students.
Their third album, 2001’s The Photo Album, continued to expand their audience. Death Cab signed to the major label Atlantic Records and soon achieved breakthrough success with their 2003 album Transatlanticism. Powerful songs like “The Sound of Settling” and “Transatlanticism” displayed Gibbard’s growth as a lyricist and the band’s increasingly confident execution. Transatlanticism landed on many “Best of 2003” lists and was nominated for a Best Alternative Album Grammy.
Mainstream Success in the Mid-2000s
After years of indie cult status, Death Cab for Cutie reached an even wider audience with their 2005 album Plans. The infectious first single “Soul Meets Body” was their first song to crack the Billboard Hot 100. Plans debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went on to sell over 500,000 copies. While some indie purists claimed the band had softened their sound too much for the mainstream, most fans embraced their continued evolution.
Death Cab remained productive and ambitious with 2008’s Narrow Stairs. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart and contained the hit single “I Will Possess Your Heart.” While not quite matching the commercial highs of Plans, the album showed the band unafraid to explore new textures like distorted guitars and electronics. Unfortunately, founding guitarist Chris Walla decided to leave Death Cab for Cutie after the completion of Narrow Stairs.
Without missing a beat, the band returned in 2011 with Codes and Keys, once again debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200. The slick, synth-heavy album divided critics, but songs like “You Are A Tourist” and “Stay Young, Go Dancing” became alt-rock radio staples. At this point, Death Cab for Cutie had settled into a reliable formula of moody, mid-tempo rock that continued to yield respectable sales and turnout for their concerts.
Lackluster Recent Albums and Declining Popularity
After the mild reception for Codes and Keys, Death Cab for Cutie headed back into the studio for their eighth album. Kintsugi arrived in 2015, named after the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with precious metals. Longtime guitarist and producer Rich Costey took over studio duties from Walla. Reviews for Kintsugi were mixed, with some praising the band’s subtle evolution while others felt the songs lacked inspiration. Commercially, it fared worse than their previous several efforts.
In 2018, Death Cab released their ninth album Thank You for Today, featuring keyboardist Zac Rae as an official fifth member. Unfortunately, both critics and fans considered Thank You for Today a rather dull and uninspired effort. Lead single “Gold Rush” barely made a ripple compared to their past hit songs. While still a solid album, it lacked the excitement that once surrounded new Death Cab for Cutie music.
Death Cab for Cutie’s overall popularity and cultural relevance seem to have declined over the past decade. They no longer command the same fervent fanbase that propelled albums like Transatlanticism to indie rock glory. While some fans have moved on to newer “it” bands, much of the decline seems connected to inconsistent songwriting quality in their later albums. Their music doesn’t generate the same buzz and acclaim as their prime indie years.
Reasons for the Decline
Here are some of the likely factors in Death Cab for Cutie’s fading popularity and success over the past decade:
Stagnant Sound
Death Cab for Cutie developed a signature sound that brought them great success – Gibbard’s earnest, heart-on-sleeve lyrics over warm indie pop-rock arrangements. However, some critics argue that the band’s sound grew stale and failed to evolve much with their later albums. The romantic melancholy and mid-tempo rockers blended together after awhile. They did not take many bold creative risks to shake up their established formula.
Lack of Personnel Changes
Aside from Walla’s departure, Death Cab for Cutie has maintained the same lineup since their early days. While lineup stability can benefit some bands, in Death Cab’s case it may have hindered them. The same musicians working together for 15+ years often leads to creative stagnation. Most major bands go through at least some personnel changes over such a long career. Fresh blood and new perspectives could have pushed Death Cab’s sound forward.
Less Touring and Promotion
During their indie years, Death Cab for Cutie relentlessly toured small clubs to build an audience. In recent years, they have not toured as extensively behind their album releases. Less time on the road means less opportunity to connect with fans and showcase new material. Relatedly, their albums since Narrow Stairs have had shorter promotional cycles with fewer TV appearances, interviews, etc. Lower visibility with the music press likely contributed to declining relevance.
Too Much Side Projects
Both Gibbard and Harmer have spent substantial time on side musical projects – Gibbard with his solo work and The Postal Service, and Harmer with his bands All-Time Quarterback and Crystal Skulls. Focusing too much energy on these side efforts may have distracted from Death Cab for Cutie being each member’s sole creative priority. This could explain the band feeling less inspired in recent years.
Maturing Songwriting Themes
Gibbard’s early lyrics centered around themes like heartbreak, loneliness, and anxiety that deeply resonated with Death Cab’s young indie fanbase. As he aged, Gibbard’s lyrics shifted toward more mature topics like marriage, loss, and societal discontent. While well written, these themes seemed to alienate some fans who no longer related to his changed perspective.
Where Are They Now in 2022?
While certainly past their 2000s prime, Death Cab for Cutie has settled into the role of a respected veteran indie band. They continue to tour regularly and headline mid-size venues and festivals. Their most recent release was the EP The Georgia EP in 2021, containing covers of songs by Georgia bands. Death Cab plans to return to the studio in 2023 for their tenth album. While unlikely to regain their former popular heights, the band still boasts a sizable core fanbase excited for their new material. Gibbard also remains prolific with his solo work and The Postal Service. Death Cab for Cutie’s days of platinum sales and Grammy nominations has passed, but they seem content as a hard-working legacy act with a healthy touring schedule. Their place in 2000s indie rock history is assured.
Conclusion
Death Cab for Cutie stands as one of the defining indie rock bands of the 2000s. They broke through from the underground to achieve mainstream popularity and success without sacrificing their artistic integrity. However, a combination of creative stagnation, inconsistent albums, and decreased promotion led to the band’s fading relevance over the past decade. While no longer at the forefront of pop culture buzz, Death Cab continues touring actively and working on new music. Their career exemplifies the difficulties bands face in sustaining popularity and creativity over a long period. Death Cab for Cutie’s substantial legacy and influence remain intact even if their golden era has passed. For five glorious years, they were the kings of indie rock.