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

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  1. JohnD
    Oct 7, 2005
    5
    Not nearly as good at Transatlanticism - the lighter, weaker songs at the end of the album feel like fillers even though the album starts pretty well. Too bad; DCFC really raised the bar with Trans and it doesn't appear it will be apexed any time soon.
  2. matta
    Oct 5, 2005
    6
    Not the downright God-awful album that some publications would lead you to believe, but it still has to be considered a disappointment after the very good Transatlanticism. As for how it compares to the best releases put out thus far this year, it barely cracks my top 50. Hopefully they can get their shit together for the next album.
  3. jonb
    Aug 30, 2005
    5
    Easily their weakest album to date. It feels as if they are now reaching to the lowest common demoninator now (ie. all of their new O.C. fans), and are trying to make an album that has a "Death Cab" sound, instead of just trying to make a good album. Chris Walla's masterful production is wasted by Gibbard's increasingly whinier lyrics.
  4. Matt
    Sep 20, 2005
    6
    Watered down their sound so that only pleasantness remains.
  5. DorianK
    Nov 9, 2007
    6
    Nothing against Transatlanticism -- I enjoyed it very much -- but Something About Airplanes is Death Cab's finest work, and it wasn't mentioned a single time in all of these reviews. Well, no more! SAA, collect your due! As for Plans, it's a ho-hum record on Death Cab's major-label debut. There are a few good songs to be found, but overall the effort falls flat.
  6. Mike
    Aug 29, 2005
    5
    This disc is marginal. They should have just pulled the best tracks from thier prior releases for this major label debut. Most people purchasing it would not know the better...and would probably be much happier with the product.
  7. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 8, 2011
    6
    I don't know what the hell is going on with this album, why it's so self-satisfied, or why it has such a basic feeling, but it's fun to listen to.... and then still fun a year later. There's really nothing to say. It's fun.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    There is nothing like Transatlaticism's "Sound of Settling" here to offset the never-ending stream of ballads and down-tempo songs.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    This is certainly an album of progression that is likely to win the band plenty of new fans, but it shouldn't alienate their fanbase either.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    As albums, Transatlanticism and Give Up seemed greater than their parts, perfectly paced song cycles about love wracked by distance and time's march. Plans addresses similar themes, but without the same narrative glue or shape.
    Read full review
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