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. starsbedivided
    Jul 7, 2013
    9
    Plans is kind of Death Cab for Cuties's "The Moon & Antarctica"; It's not bad, it's just subtly different (in production and slightly in style) due to signing to a major label.
  2. moonman1994
    Dec 15, 2012
    9
    Plans is a great album. No it doesn't live up to the variety that can be found on Transatlanticism but it is still great. With songs like "I Will Follow You into the Dark" and "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" you can't help but to love this album. Honesty this album has some of my favorite Death Cab songs on it and I would highly recommend it!
  3. 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.
  4. 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 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 oneI'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.… Expand
  5. SingingCactus
    Jun 11, 2011
    10
    Get this album if you like: albums that sound like one big piece instead of 12 little ones, songs about feelings, lyrics you have to think about to understand fully, or having hope that everything will be okay.

    Do not get this album if: you like catchy music; you don't like listening to the same album a million times; you want your album to have a lot of variation in style; you just want    Get this album if you like: albums that sound like one big piece instead of 12 little ones, songs about feelings, lyrics you have to think about to understand fully, or having hope that everything will be okay.

    Do not get this album if: you like catchy music; you don't like listening to the same album a million times; you want your album to have a lot of variation in style; you just want to dance.    … Expand
  6. currer_bell
    Jun 4, 2011
    8
    Great album...The two first tracks alone "Marching bands..." and "Soul meets body" would make any album a good one and are about my two favorite DCFC songs. The rest of the album is not Transatlanticism of course, but I like the way they didn't tried to make a more concept or "intellectual" follow-up to Trans, which most bands try to do after a breakthrough album. Plans is simple, sincereGreat album...The two first tracks alone "Marching bands..." and "Soul meets body" would make any album a good one and are about my two favorite DCFC songs. The rest of the album is not Transatlanticism of course, but I like the way they didn't tried to make a more concept or "intellectual" follow-up to Trans, which most bands try to do after a breakthrough album. Plans is simple, sincere and their most melodic album to date, it's not schizophrenic and sludgy like Narrow stairs. I'd put Plans second best album of the band after Trans.… Expand
  7. Vampire25
    May 3, 2011
    10
    "Plans" is the album that made me start listening to Death Cab For Cutie. I loved this album the first time I heard it and I still love it to this day. Each track has it's own sense of beauty. Ben Gibbard's croons are so melodic and vocally harmonic. The opener "Marching Bands Of Manhattan" is a wonderful opener and really starts the album off. All In All, Plans is just as good as"Plans" is the album that made me start listening to Death Cab For Cutie. I loved this album the first time I heard it and I still love it to this day. Each track has it's own sense of beauty. Ben Gibbard's croons are so melodic and vocally harmonic. The opener "Marching Bands Of Manhattan" is a wonderful opener and really starts the album off. All In All, Plans is just as good as "Transatlanticism", maybe even in someways, better. A… Expand
  8. michaeljcovel
    Sep 5, 2010
    9
    (Kitty V - - a funny negative review --but I can only comment on your review here)

    I had never heard of Death Cab or previous bands Ben was in so when I first listened to this album, I thought his voice was so funny I would imitate it around my brother who turned me on to this album. The most sincere reviews are those where the listener gets attached to the music through certain    (Kitty V - - a funny negative review --but I can only comment on your review here)

    I had never heard of Death Cab or previous bands Ben was in
    so when I first listened to this album, I thought his voice was so funny I would imitate it around my brother who turned me on to this album. The most sincere reviews are those where the listener gets attached to the music through certain events
    and I was wandering around the coastal towns of Maryland in the summer of 2006 looking for work when this album kept playing and it stuck with me, so it gets a 9 even if it actually, scientifically sucks    … Expand
  9. Gentry
    Aug 27, 2010
    8
    No, it's not the best DCFC album, but it does have its highlights such as the opener, "Marching Bands of Manhattan," and the steady paced "Soul Meets Body." Once bands reach that point in their career where fans start to criticize the subtleties and repetitive nuances of each song, sometimes they forget to sit back and enjoy the album for what it is. I hope this band makes albums forNo, it's not the best DCFC album, but it does have its highlights such as the opener, "Marching Bands of Manhattan," and the steady paced "Soul Meets Body." Once bands reach that point in their career where fans start to criticize the subtleties and repetitive nuances of each song, sometimes they forget to sit back and enjoy the album for what it is. I hope this band makes albums for years to come.… Expand
  10. FearghalL.
    Jan 25, 2010
    10
    Great album one of the best of the last decade cant understand the low metacritic score so many good songs like "crooked teeth" "brothers on a hotel bed" and my personal favorite "what sarah said" listen to the lyrics carefully one of the saddest and most heart felt songs you will ever hear.
  11. RichardP.
    Apr 16, 2009
    9
    Stunning. After reading some of the above reviews and notably the NME one, which was in line with all NME reviews, a waste of time, I felt compelled to stick up for Plans. This is the 2nd DCFC album I heard, getting into them late via itunes and I have never looked back. I didn't think I would ever find a band that that almost took the thoughts and feelings from inside of me and put Stunning. After reading some of the above reviews and notably the NME one, which was in line with all NME reviews, a waste of time, I felt compelled to stick up for Plans. This is the 2nd DCFC album I heard, getting into them late via itunes and I have never looked back. I didn't think I would ever find a band that that almost took the thoughts and feelings from inside of me and put them to song. Great lyrics, sound, atmosphere....its all here. If you are new to DCFC the back catalogue is certainly worth your time. Oh and for the record no song has ever hit me with such resonance as Summer Skin.… Expand
  12. GuillaumeF
    Mar 25, 2009
    9
    I keep on thinking their happy mood doesn't work so well ahah (except Crooked Teeth, that kicks everything)... But overall it's still great, deep and intelligent.
  13. AngelM.
    May 16, 2008
    9
    Amelia says it best "another beautiful album from DCFC" I love them all its just an ongoing journey with ben & co. his voice is so addicting this was acually my first DCFC album ... But I immediately went and bought their previous albums... not sure that I have a favorite.
  14. BoazF.
    Apr 28, 2008
    10
    An amazing mix of soul, sound, and beauty.
  15. 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.
  16. alexf
    Jul 25, 2007
    8
    Not as good as their last album but still okay.
  17. IanB
    Mar 13, 2007
    9
    DCFC's best album, which is saying a lot. This is THE album for driving through a natural setting in spring or fall -- something I do everyday on my way to school, so I dig it. >_> "Brothers" goes down as one of my all-time favorite songs, along with DCFC's earlier work "A Lack of Color".
  18. kennys
    Oct 2, 2006
    9
    I really like their sound. I'm not really into indie rock, but this band hits a chord with me. Not every song is great, but I feel the majority of them.
  19. JohnT
    Sep 13, 2006
    8
    To all the people who reviewd this album nauseatingly romantic and wussy, clearly you've been listening to the wrong band if you want something that's hardcore. Don't bother wasting your time reviewing this band as if it was As I Lay Dying. Of course it's soft and romantic, because that's the kind of music DCFC produces. I personally love the album, and the lyrics To all the people who reviewd this album nauseatingly romantic and wussy, clearly you've been listening to the wrong band if you want something that's hardcore. Don't bother wasting your time reviewing this band as if it was As I Lay Dying. Of course it's soft and romantic, because that's the kind of music DCFC produces. I personally love the album, and the lyrics to "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" are some of the best I have ever read. "Brothers On A Hotel Bed" is not to be overlooked either. I think this is a wonderful effort from a band that seems dedicated to staying true to their sound, and I don't really care that they made a jump to a major label. I don't know why people should hold it against them for wanting to be successful. That's all for me.… Expand
  20. BillT
    Sep 7, 2006
    9
    This album is good, really good. Its also one of the ones that you really have to listen to a few times to fully appreciate. Many of the negative reviewers have complained that now with this album Death Cab will become a high school pin-up band. I take objection to that criticism. First of all, I don't think Death Cab is poppy enough to really catch on with teenagers. Second, if This album is good, really good. Its also one of the ones that you really have to listen to a few times to fully appreciate. Many of the negative reviewers have complained that now with this album Death Cab will become a high school pin-up band. I take objection to that criticism. First of all, I don't think Death Cab is poppy enough to really catch on with teenagers. Second, if teenagers do get into this, so much the better- maybe Death Cab is elevating expectations for pop music (something which is sorely needed in my opinion). In any case, the simple fact that teenagers will listen to it is no grounds for any valid criticism... maybe the critics just can't find anything negative to say about it! "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" is the best among a handful of truly excellent songs on the album which on their own deserve a "10".… Expand
  21. AmeliaE
    Aug 30, 2006
    9
    Another beautiful album by Death Cab
  22. Zach
    Aug 29, 2006
    8
    Though not as amazing as Tranatlantism, Ben Gibbard never dissapoints. His way of using soothing lyrics (like"I Will Follow You Into The Dark") still grows on you.
  23. Fuzzy
    Aug 2, 2006
    9
    The lyrics of "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" and "What Sarah Said" are incredible, while the sound of "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth" keep the album balanced. I think anybody could relate with the lyrics in one of these songs if they paid attention.
  24. NedJ
    May 23, 2006
    3
    What a disappointment. Everything sounds the same... oooh, that's some heavy piano noodling...zzzzz. Yes, Crooked Teeth and Soul Meets Body are good, but this is one overrated band and a mediocre album.
  25. KittyV
    Apr 28, 2006
    0
    Ben Gibbard is the most pretentious navel gazing musician I've ever had the misfortune to hear. Will's comment ("listen to the lyrics carefully and you'll see the genius in Gibbard") is true if totally inverted - Gibbard seems completely incapable of writing a line that isn't: a) cliched, b) cheesy, c) mawkish, d) precious, e) some nauseating combo of the above. This Ben Gibbard is the most pretentious navel gazing musician I've ever had the misfortune to hear. Will's comment ("listen to the lyrics carefully and you'll see the genius in Gibbard") is true if totally inverted - Gibbard seems completely incapable of writing a line that isn't: a) cliched, b) cheesy, c) mawkish, d) precious, e) some nauseating combo of the above. This stuff is music for terminal bed-wetters.… Expand
  26. LachlanW
    Apr 5, 2006
    8
    Although nowhere near as extraordinary as Transatlanticism, Plans is still an epic, highly enjoyable album. Not as good as the band can get, but the songs are better than almost anything you can hear on the radio nowadays.
  27. Rhyse
    Mar 25, 2006
    10
    Easily one of their most coherent and fluid albums to date. A great example of the indie-pop genre. People interested in what indie music sounds like should look no further than DCFC.
  28. WillM
    Mar 16, 2006
    7
    A 7.5 really. Half brilliant, half good, which is more than you get from most. A worthwhile purchase, and a refreshing return to smart music and meaningful lyrics.
  29. TomN
    Jan 4, 2006
    10
    One of my new favorites
  30. JustinF
    Jan 1, 2006
    8
    A must have for any DCFC fan. Although perhaps not quite an equal to it's predecessor Transatlanticism, Gibbard's lyrical genius is made evident through Plans. From the somber, emotional tracks such as "Brothers on a Hotel Bed" and "What Sarah Said" to the more upbeat "Soul Meets Body," Plans picks up right where Transatlanticism left off.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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.
    Read full review
  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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