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Let me start off by saying this one thing: I do not like Death Cab for Cutie. In fact, I’ve probably used the word “hate” at times to describe my feelings towards their music. For whatever reason, they just don’t appeal to me at all. Even further, their singer also sings in the band The Postal Service, who I also strongly dislike. Between the two of those bands, I have heard only one song that I would say I like. The rest is no good, in my opinion.
That was, until yesterday. I generally listen to music while I’m at work and I tend to default to internet radio or Pandora. Yesterday, I happen to be on the Pandora station “Alkaline Trio” cause I needed the upbeat, punk rock sounds of Matt Skiba, Bad Religion, and the Bouncing Souls to get me through my afternoon. I don’t always pay attention to the artists that are being played, unless a song really grabs my attention. And one song I heard did just that. It was very simple guitar with very mellow vocals. The words started to draw me in as I listened…
Love of mine
One day you’ll die
but I’ll be close behind
I’ll follow you into the dark…
Curiously, I stopped what I was doing as the refrain drew me in even closer…
If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the Nos on their vacancy signs…
I was struck. It was a gorgeuos song that did not seem to fit in amongst the upbeat offerings of the Loved Ones or No Use for a Name.
If there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
I’ll follow you into the dark…
I pulled up the browser window to see who was playing such a beautiful song. Who amongst my punk rock heroes had created this? To my surprise, it was none other than my Death Cab for Cutie. Why were they on the Alkaline Trio station? I want the Lawrence Arms. I want Rancid. And Social Distortion. And the Descendants. But the song that saved my day, that I cannot get out of my head, that I want to hear again… was by Death Cab.
So today, I have the station set to Alkaline Trio. And the familiar three chord progressions, the uptempo percussion, the melodic bass lines… they are all there to help drive my day. While a part of my heart hopes to hear that odd man out song again…
You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It’s nothing to cry about
Cause we’ll hold each other soon
The blackest of rooms
