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DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE || BUMBERSHOOT || 09.01.02

I had been quite excited for this show for a while now and needless to say, it was worth the twenty dollars. Bumbershoot was fun all around (like seeing the shins and modest mouse), but the real reason I was there was to see the great Death cab for Cutie. They were playing the "Rock Arena" in Key Arena, which was quite odd, but ended up being amazing. we grabbed the best seats in the house; to the left side of the stage (which was great to sit down for the time spent waiting and the set itself); and got ready to rock. Soon enough, Ben Gibbard and company took the "Rock Arena" stage to a wall of crowd noise. They opened the set with the token opener, "Title Track" from their second full-length, "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes". The song was beautiful and was a perfect way to get the party started, showcasing Gibbard's unbelievable talent as a writer and lyricist, as well as guitarist Chris Walla's guitar stylings, which are nothing short of innovative. Throughout the night, they played songs from every corner of their catalogue. Highlights included "Company Calls" and "Company Calls (Epilogue)", "Photobooth," "A Movie Script Ending," and an amazing rendition of "Blacking out the Friction" (which could quite possibly be my personal favorite of the show). The set ended with a captivating performance of "Scientist Studies," which presented the band's unbelievable skill for dynamic contrast and the most gradual and intense crescendo I have ever witnessed. Of course the crowd wouldn't settle for the initial set and coaxed the band out for two more songs, "405" and the heart-breaking "Styrofoam Plates". Overall, it was a beautifully captivating and inspiring set, and one to be remembered for a long time to come. They made me proud to be from western Washington. I was also pleased to see them play a couple of songs from their first album, "Something About Airplanes" (the songs "President of What?" and "Pictures in Exhibition"). If you didn't catch this show, I am terribly sorry. And if you haven't heard much of Death Cab, I recommend that you change that as soon as possible. -Christian Powers