Review of Death Cab for Cutie/The Postal Service – Ben Gibbard’s 20th anniversary tour

Ben Gibbard felt blessed. He thanked the audience in Glasgow: “You have incorporated these records into your lives.”

In 2003, the American singer-songwriter released two albums: Transatlanticismwith his alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie and Give upthe only LP by The Postal Service, a side project that veered toward synthpop. Both were huge successes. A powerful combination of heartwarming melody and free-floating melancholy allowed listeners to project their own joys and sorrows onto the songs. On this 20th anniversary tour, Gibbard plays both records, first as frontman of Death Cab and then as frontman of The Postal Service. The effect of this opening night of the UK leg was to create a sense of darkness followed by light.

The choice of presentation emphasized the change in mood. Death Cab played in all black, the Postal Service in white. Gibbard, a man in his forties who sang the angsty songs of his twenties, brought the presence of a prizefighter to the Death Cab set, playing guitar while dancing on the balls of his feet. But at first there was a feeling that the energy was not being transferred from the stage to the audience. Given that Transatlanticism is about the difficulties of long-distance relationships, and it was fitting that the band seemed to struggle to connect. That changed with a suite of three ballads – Tiny vessels And passenger seat – in which strength and tenderness were kept in perfect balance.

Jenny Lewis was welcome at the Postal Service set, here as a background singer and guitarist, but also a star in her own right. Her small vocal interludes, such as “Where I am” on The district sleeps alone tonightraised the songs, made them tremble.

Give upis probably a headphone album that is best enjoyed alone with your feelings. Not every song worked in the common room. A charged We become silhouettes was a strong exception and gave an answer to the question: “How would the Beach Boys sound at a rave?” A cover of Depeche Mode Enjoy the silence“The Death Cab” provided an atmospheric finale, with the Postal Service and the musicians of Death Cab appearing on stage.
★★★★☆

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