The Mung Pie

I recently had the chance to check out the Bellingham, Washington quartet Death Cab For Cutie at San Diego State University’s Open Air Theatre. I was hesitant to attend the show because I haven’t been to a larger venue since seeing The Mars Volta at Soma in January (check out my live review for them here: Mars Volta Review). I’m glad I attended because the show was great and the venue sounded surprisingly good!

The band was tight and the mix was pretty much there throughout the whole show. Everything was distinguishable and best of all there was no need for ear plugs! I love a mixer that mixes to save their ears. There was only one song that sounded off and it was “The Sound of Settling.” Chris Walla, the guitar player got off beat and his guitar just didn’t reproduce the tone from the album. A small disappointment but I’m sure a majority of the fans didn’t even notice. But then again, maybe they did.

Death Cab fans are an odd group of people. Everyone was all eyes on stage throughout the entire duration of the performance. Sadly, that was the most they did. People who paid upwards to $150.00 for ground floor tickets didn’t even move. It might as well have been mannequins down there because they would have given off the same energy as this crowd. It’s confusing and frustrating but regardless of the crowd, Death Cab put on a great show and Ben Gibbard’s nasally voice is reproduced perfectly while he bobs and sways around the microphone.

My two favorite songs throughout the night were the full length “I Will Posses Your Heart” off of their new album “Narrow Stairs” and their final song during the encore, “Transatlanticism” on the “Transatlanticism” record. This was my first live Death Cab For Cutie experience and I am ashamed to admit so. I wish I could have seen them at a smaller venue however in this instance the venue was not a factor and I recommend checking them out when they come to a nearby city. Oh, and while you’re there…at least bob your head or something.

Pies: 9/10