Death Cab For Cutie: 2011 Album Preview

Death Cab For Cutie

"Codes and Keys"

Spring

Fear not, Death Cab fans-the beloved alt-rockers haven't sold their guitars and bought synthesizers. While some recent interviews reported frontman Ben Gibbard saying the band's forthcoming album isn't "guitar-based," bassist Nick Harmer says the album will simply stand as a departure from "Narrow Stairs," Death Cab's live-tracked, guitar-driven sixth set. So there will be guitars-but also a lot more, including "great, weird, analog synths," Harmer says, "and we have a string section on a couple songs." Death Cab's seventh album will again feature production from guitarist Chris Walla. After spending a final weekend in the studio to work out the "bells and whistles," Walla flies to London to mix with Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, the Smashing Pumpkins).