I'm immensely surprised that there aren’t any Postal Service reviews on here. I feel this way simply because their music will leave you with a sense of euphoria. It is the kind that makes you disbelieve the world around you as you know it, sort of like Straylight Run. But Postal Service is extremely different; they have all the soft and creamy melody that SR have, but they mix that formula with a large amount of electronica. In this they have found their secret recipe, the kind of recipe that even Bob Busch of Busch's beans will be dying to know; and no, his dog won't reveal it to him either. With this, the Postal Service are very inspirational and original musicians. Postal Service is dubbed a super-group; with Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamberello from Dntel, how could this band fail?
I couldn't find one weak point on the album. Therefore, my trademarked review format will cease to work here. I must admit, having downloaded this album I was a bit skeptical. I had only heard of this band from all the emo/indie kids at my school. The funny thing is, is that the single "Such Great Heights" is played everywhere. I just never bothered to ask what it was. The highly addictive 'beep boop beepity boop' intro to the song is just one of those sound clips that all the media whores use to fill in the silence to a lame mtv reality show.
Among the instruments on this album, the guitar isn't bad. But what is bad about it, is that it's a delicacy on this album. Most of the sounds on the record come from a drum-kits & synthesizers or mute bass with light guitar. Some may find the instrumental side of Postal Service to be lacking somewhat, but I myself am fine with it. The vocals on this album are very good. Some may be monotone because of the mood of a song; but when Ben Gibbard gets to sing, he gets to shine. On the track “The District Sleeps Alone”, the vocal stylings of Gibbard become apparent. He goes for that double pitch type, the sort of high pitched whisper.
The lyrics by Postal Service are also very deep and spiritual. They go beyond that sense of a “rockin” attitude. Some describe the lyrics to have an “earthy” touch, but I feel that they can really make you think about life. The single “Such Great Heights” is one of those tracks that really makes you open your eyes. The way the song is ordered out, it sounds almost as if life is flashing before your eyes. Then you hear...
“I am thinking it's a sign that the freckles
In our eyes are mirror images and when
We kiss they're perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate that God himself
Did make us into corresponding shapes like
Puzzle pieces from the clay
True, it may seem like a stretch, but
Its thoughts like this that catch my troubled
Head when you're away when I am missing you to death
When you are out there on the road for
Several weeks of shows and when you scan
The radio, I hope this song will guide you home”
There lie some of the most thought provoking lyrics I’ve come across.
Another track that is very awesome is “This District Sleeps Alone”. It is the first track on the album and it is the second best, next to it’s predecessor (the one mentioned above). It has that “wintery” feel, with the perfect mix of electronic sounds and soothing singing and lyrics. “Smeared black ink... your palms are sweaty And i'm barely listening to last demands. I'm staring at the asphalt wondering what's buried underneath
where i am. I'll wear my badge... a vinyl sticker with bigh block letters adherent to my chest, That tells your new friends I am a visitor here...I am not permanent . And the only thing keeping me dry is where I am”. This is all very touching to anyone who reads these words.
The only downside I can find to this album is the upbeat electronic noises. Some of them are vastly out of place. In the track “Brand New Colony”, I could swear that it sounds like a Super Mario song when the synth kicks in. But other than this minor scratch on that brand new BMW you just bought, it’s a crisp and clean record that will soothe your mind, as well as your soul.
I can’t wait to see what Postal Service give us next. I don’t think they have even announced a new album, which makes me a bit sad. I feel that if this band progressed and matured, they could be the next face of music. Their melody is stunning, their lyrics even more amazing. They have everything it takes to be musicians; it’s a shame that the music industry is revolved around catchiness, huge egos, and studded belts, a la Green Day. How did the critics get so harsh all of a sudden? Too much good music is being overlooked by poppy fagg0ts. If people could just open their eyes and see what they have been missing all these years…
4/5
