Death Cab For Cutie — The Open Door EP

The Open Door features four tracks that didn't make the cut for Narrow Stairs, the Bellingham, Wash. quartet's sixth studio album, and a demo version of that album's "Talking Bird." These songs shouldn't for a second be considered leftovers, though.

"Little Bribes" is a jaunty track with a bluesy guitar riff, and frontman Ben Gibbard delivers self-assured and playful vocals. Similarly, "My Mirror Speaks" and "I Was Once A Loyal Lover," with its fuzzy guitars and driving beat, keep the rollicking vibe going. Things slow down a notch with "A Diamond And A Tether," a heartfelt Death Cab love ballad that will stick in your head for days.

The "Talking Bird" demo just features Gibbard and a ukulele, which sounds cheesy in premise, but is executed beautifully. It will probably only excite Death Cab superfans.

These poppier, upbeat tunes apparently didn't fit in with Stairs' overall mood, but they sure go well together here. They display confident songwriting that uplifts rather than brings you down with the overwhelming dreariness found throughout Narrow Stairs, and I'd contend these tracks are stronger than a handful of those found on the actual full-length.

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