On The Cusp

Death Cab For Cutie is at that crossroads where promising, would-be great bands come to when it's their time to make themselves known to the wider world. They have a new record coming out soon, their first for a major label, and the buzz is that it's a really good one. If it beats anything they've put out before (especially their last two, "The Photo Album" and "Transatlanticism" -- which, for me, is in the running for Top Album of The Decade), I'll be amazed. Because of the awesome feat it will take to do that, not because I don't think they're capable.

What will their foray into the mainstream do for them? The major label will give them all the exposure in the world: Top 40 radio overplay, MTV. Will they conquer the world like Coldplay, but lose their indie street cred and that special homegrown edginess that makes them special? Will their songs become themes for TV shows? Just might, considering their guest appearance on "The OC", and "Such Great Heights" (by frontman Ben Gibbard's other project, The Postal Service) is played everywhere. I wish Death Cab well, but...

Anyway, whatever happens, at least the music won't suck. Quite the opposite. Check out the new single, "Soul Meets Body" here.

Lisa and I are headed to New York in a few weeks to watch them play in Central Park. There will be plenty of cool things to report. Stay tuned.

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Happy, from Brandi Carlile, by Brandi Carlile