Like many Death Cab fans, I freaked out in the best way when I heard Ben Gibbard was coming out with a solo album. The album, titled Former Lives, does not disappoint. We still get the beautiful lyrics that we have come to expect from Gibbard, but he also experiments with different styles than we are used to hearing in Death Cab or Postal Service. On many of the tracks there is a pseudo-country vibe going on, especially on “Broken Yoke In Western Sky.” That track is one of the better ones on the album in my opinion, mostly because it is a story telling song, which I have always favored from Gibbard. The song that stands out the most among the others is “Something’s Rattling (Cowpoke)”. Instruments on this song include a guitarron, a violin, and a trumpet to round out the southwestern feel this track offers up.
Several of the songs on this solo debut album have an upbeat sound, even if the lyrics are not (see “Broken Yoke Western Sky,” “A Hard One To Know,” “Oh, Woe,”). The fact that Gibbard is experimenting with different styles of music is really refreshing, and absolutely a wink at the title. Not only is Gibbard growing from his past musically, but I couldn’t help wondering how many of the songs on this album were written about ex-wife Zooey Deschanel (from my speculation, “Lily,” and “Lady Adelade”). While other tracks may not specifically hint to the actress herself, there is heartbreak written all over this album.
Long time fans will really appreciate the presence of Gibbard’s Death Cab routes in tracks like “Duncan, Where Have You Gone?” and “Building a Fire.” With the marriage of past and present in perfect balance, it’s no wonder that Former Lives has turned into a fan favorite.
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