Death Cab for Cutie's 'Narrow Stairs' -- standard-issue dreampop with one lengthy nightmare

Death Cab for Cutie has a new album coming out on May 13. It’s called Narrow Stairs, and by all accounts, it’s pretty much the same indie-pop wispiness the Washington band has been making for a decade now. Except, that is, for the CD’s first single, which is an eight-plus-minute behemoth called “I Will Possess Your Heart.” Singer Ben Gibbard doesn’t even show up till the song’s halfway over. We’re not exactly sure how we feel about this strategy, since, you know, airy dreampop ain’t supposed to be a drawn-out nightmare. Give it a listen below, and let us know what you think. As for catching the song live, the band will tour this spring, but so far the closest show is at Bonnaroo, in Tennessee. -- Michael Gallucci