Stability

The Stability EP gathers the three tracks that only appeared on the initial pressing (and Japanese release) of their record The Photo Album, providing an easier way for folks to get ahold of these tracks. Yeah, there are only three tracks here, but the playing time of the EP clocks in around three minutes.

Music-wise, the album seems to focus around the slower (make that slowest) aspects of the band, hinted at on The Photo Album. Sure, Death Cab's sophomore album, We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, definitely takes its time as a whole, but this is different in such a way I can't really put a finger on it.

The EP opens up with "20th Century Towers," which barely crawls along at any pace whatsoever. This isn't bad, either. The left/right channel guitar interplay between Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla, especially at the end of the song, is quite captivating, as is the sole instance the entire band chimes in for an a capella line. For any DCFC fan who is used to the faster, fuzzier tracks of days past, this is a shocking and somewhat pleasant experience.

Next up is a cover of Bjoerk's "All is Full of Love." The band does the song justice, though not much is changed. This tracks is the most propulsive on the EP, mostly in part to recently-departed drummer Michael Schorr's flurriful drum beat (using toms and brushes to a great effect).

The final song, "Stability," seems to be the track that irks most reviewers off. This tune is close to 12 minutes, with over half of it focused on the same melody played over and over and over. This might be off-putting at first, but the song eventually gets itself burrowed into your skull until it won't leave. After Gibbard's 30-some second piano intro, the track plods along with vocals (backing vox thanks to labelmate John Vanderslice, who adds some nice Juno synth to the track too). The song eventually coasts to a sadly beautiful guitar line that continues for...well...quite some time.

Basically, these are three great songs that might take some getting used to. If you don't enjoy anything that isn't "peppy," then steer clear of this EP. Anyone else will probably be rewarded with a collection of songs that serve as a great counterpoint to Death Cab's faster material.


Has an atmosphere of its own   June 10, 2003
Frances Lee (Austin, TX United States)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I bought this cd after I had listened to and/or bought all of Death Cab for Cutie's full-length releases. I was a little tentative after reading some lukewarm and even bored customer reviews of it, and after listening, I can see why they feel that way. But, for the rest of you patient fans, this is a pretty good EP. I wondered why it cost so much for a 3-track cd (even some singles have more songs than that) and I found the answer in the 12 minute-long "Stability." The songs:
1. "20th Century Towers": Ultimate slo-core! This reminds me of "State Street Residential" for some reason, but it doesn't drag a bit. DCFC's slow songs are always my favorite, because there's beauty in the simple arrangements. Ben's lyrics are always so fitting and oddly moving, as is his fragile voice. The guitar lines are wonderful- they are melodic, but not in the least sugary. The chorus outburst "all around!" was pretty sneaky, though, haha.
2. "All is Full of Love": The DRUMS!! I'm not a fan of Bjork and I haven't heard any of her songs (including the original) but I found this song pleasantly mystic. The mood is a little different from anything DCFC would do and there's a majestic build-up. I like how Ben and the other band member exchange lines. The best part is at the climax, when the everyone drops out but Ben. His voice is so convicting! Might I mention, you'll be singing the line "all is full of love" in your sleep.
3. "Stability": At first, I wasn't too impressed. However, I found the wonder in this song after a few listens. The chorus reminds me a lot of "Prove My Hypothesis." But after, maybe 7 minutes, it just trails off and gently nudges my interest away..
So, buy this if you like pensive, indie, Low-type music. Really buy this if you like Death Cab For Cutie's "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes." Buy this next if you need to complete your DCFC collection. Buy this with your last [$]. Don't buy this if you only like radio-friendly music.


Superb EP - practically perfect   September 4, 2002
William R. Elenbark (Monmouth Junction, NJ United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

If you were unlucky enough not to get a copy of The Photo Album CD that included the 3 songs on this EP, it is definitely worth your while to purchase it. Much like The Forbidden Love EP as compared to We Have the Facts..., this EP expands upon the music of the full length in an incredibly compelling way for such a short collection of songs.

"20th Century Towers" kicks off the album, a slow, subdued and truly beautiful song that finds Ben Gibbard in top form with his voice emoting through lines like "and yet it still remains, this incessant refrain."
"All is Full of Love", the Bjork cover, is the reason I purchased the album, and is worth the price on its own. I must admit I'm at most a casual fan of Bjork's and have never heard the original, but the way Death Cab handles it is brilliant and is easily one of their best tunes.

"Stability", the 13-minute closer, does take a while to gets used to. It begins with a 4-minute piano-backed Death Cab song, slow and beautiful, and then evolves into a wordless piano and drums musical that repeats a similar beat over the lengthy remainder of the song. On the first few listens, this seemed to be the weak point of the EP, since not much original is offered beyond the beginning of the track, but on subsequent experiences, this song really grows into a strength, sweeping over your senses quietly, almost like a Low album. It really is just as wonderful as the other tracks, and makes this one of the best EPs I own. I even dare to say I like it more than Forbidden Love, although it's close. I've owned it for more than 6 months and still listen to it quite often, something I can't even say for the Photo Album itself, or very few albums of any length, for that matter.


not bad   March 13, 2002
N. Moeckel (Boulder, CO)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is frankly not the strongest EP I've ever heard, certainly not as good as forbidden love. All is full of love is good on one level (it's a damn good song) but also disapointing in that the band didn't really do anything too creative with it. still a good listen though.

of the originals I found 20th century towers more enjoyable than stability. stability is the first time I ever found myself growing impatient with a deatcab song.

bottom line, not an essential EP