Plans
by Death Cab for Cutie
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Aug 30, 2005
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. Q Magazine
    60
    This fifth album doesn't differ radically from the previous four.... Newcomers, however, should start with 2003's more cohesive Transatlanticism. [Oct 2005, p.115]
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  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    Plans flounders in the second half, where Death Cab run out of ideas and try to fill the holes with busy keyboard bits.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    Gibbard's angelic vocals sag with the weariness of a man who's gazed at his navel all his life only to realise there's nothing but fluff and darkness.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Although the band hasn’t really strayed from its cutesy indie-pop formula, the qualities that made Death Cab stand out aren’t present this time around.
  6. ShakingThrough.net
    48
    Unmemorable and inoffensive, Death Cab has gone from oddball indie-pop kids to mature professionals who now have a lot more people counting on their success.
  7. cokemachineglow
    47
    Plans is a shameless and famished record, the sound of pop slurping itself empty.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    'Plans' is produced within an inch of its shiny, whitebread life and the Cutie seem to have lost their faux-naive subtleties, becoming the non-thinking man's Coldplay along the way. [27 Aug 2005, p.74]
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  9. Mojo
    40
    Frankly this sort of thing makes Athlete, Snow Patrol et al sound like fire-breathing berserkers. [Oct 2005, p.102]
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  10. Uncut
    40
    Their failure to shift pace from a relentlessly wistful chug makes for an oddly exhausting listening experience. [Oct 2005, p.98]
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  11. Drowned In Sound
    40
    [It] leaves this bizarre aftertaste – one not of immediate dislike, but one that’s pretty far from appealing enough to warrant a second sampling.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2005
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 203 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 168 out of 203
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 203
  3. Negative: 21 out of 203
  1. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 30, 2011
    10
    I'd say this is the band's coming of age album, and the perfect follow-up to Transatlanticism. I'm surprised it wasn't better received byI'd say this is the band's coming of age album, and the perfect follow-up to Transatlanticism. I'm surprised it wasn't better received by critics, but at least fans recognize what a fantastic record it really is. "Your Heart Is An Empty Room" and "Brothers In Hotel Beds" are some of the best songs the band has dished out. "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" could have found it's way onto one of the American Recordings had Johnny Cash stuck around longer. One of the best albums of 2005.… Full Review »
  2. KevinM
    Sep 26, 2005
    10
    Death Cab for Cutie is much more than you think it is. While most of you eat your hearts out with mindless rap and rock music that is the Death Cab for Cutie is much more than you think it is. While most of you eat your hearts out with mindless rap and rock music that is the same as anything else in this day and age, Death Cab for Cutie takes music to a different level and gives the sound a unique feeling. Those magazines and websites who rated low, are mostly no-names anyway. So I handclap for them and their senseless taste in music. Death Cab for Cutie: Plans, has a lot of meaning to it, if you really listen to their music. Most of these people who try to 'rate and act important' listen to a song or two once then they go alright time to write my life story about it. No, that is not how it works. For a band who is getting on it's feet just like any band has to start off to into their mainstream of startum, this album is something peple should really appreciate. You can tell they put more than just thoughts of money and idolism into their name, they really give their music meaning and they know they can share it with others who relate.… Full Review »
  3. BrendanM
    Sep 5, 2005
    9
    softer than transatlanticism, but a very provoking album
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