Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
The first instrument you notice upon listening to Something About Airplanes is the cello on "Bend to Squares." It fades out, soon enough replaced by the familiar electric guitar, but it sets this album's offbeat mood. Experimentation and pop hooks strike a perfect balance on this debut from the Bellingham, Washington-based Death Cab for Cutie. The quartet follow in the fine tradition of area emo-pop bands like Modest Mouse, 764-HERO, and Built to Spill, but it's hard not to notice bits of Quasi and the Beatles popping up. Of course, the Death Cab formula is a bit different--"President of What?" is driven by Farfisa, not Fender; "Champagne from a Paper Cup" is a slow-burner--there's not much pop glee found in a song that begins "I think I'm Drunk Enough to Drive You Home Now"; and--every once in a while--the oddball vocal sample kicks in (presumably from a long-forgotten movie, a la vintage Jawbreaker). It all makes for a brilliant debut and a fine addition to the canon of Northwest emo-pop late-'90s style. --Jason Verlinde

Album Description:
It's no exaggeration to say 'Something About Airplanes' is the future of music. Melodic pop that falls somewhere between American Analog Set & Imperial Teen. Elsinor/Barsuk.

Rating: - Sweet intro
3 1/2

Worthwhile introduction into the fragile pop-rock melodies that would drive their early career into teenage hearts all over America. Even with less-then-invigorating production Deathcab thrives when lingering around gently distorted, invitingly aggressive compositions that get to air out, something they contrast well enough with more straight-ahead rockers on their debut.

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Rating: - I need more Death Cab!!!
What a joy it is to be turned on or to discover music from an artist you're hearing for the first time. I literally stumbled onto Death Cab For Cutie, just passing time in an FYE. I picked up "Something About Airplanes" and thought I'd give a random listen. Needless to say, the incredible melodies, and compelling lyrical content immediately got me open. DCFC bears a strong resemblance to another favorite band of mine, Built To Spill. Lead singer Ben Gibbard's delivery is almost dead on for BTS's ... Read More

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Rating: - Overall review of Death Cab For Cutie
This style of music is what I have been looking for my entire life, I just haven't known. This band has brought something to the table that I really enjoy. The very first sample I heard of Ben Gibbard was, "Don't wake me, I plan on sleeping in". That barely audible tune that I heard while off the coast of Africa is what set it off. I searched and searched and now have almost all of their CDs. I Love Plans, it's an amazing CD. Translantisicm trails it, but not by much. I am now listening to Something ... Read More

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Rating: - Great Product!
If you like Death Cab, you'll love this CD! It is a good reference to before Death Cab somewhat sold out. I'd reccomend this to anyone!

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Rating: - this has nothing to do with airplanes
This C.D. is probably the best constructed of Death Cab For Cutie's albums in my opinion, for it has the most variety and has more complex rock than on some of its other more soft releases. Its lyrics aren't quite as well articulated as those on the album "Transatlanticism", but it's hard to remember that while paying attention to the catchy rhythms and sound effects that transpire in nearly every featured song. Styles range from long mystic tunes like "Line of Best Fit" to fairly energetic ones like ... Read More