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Death Cab For Cutie

"You Are a Tourist"

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Community: star rating
5 3.5 0
10
March 30, 2011

Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard made his name as an indie-rock anti-charismatic – a gawky master of melancholy. But on the first single from the band's eighth album, he tries out a new role: self-help guru. "When there's a burning in your heart. . . . /Build it bigger than the sun/Let it grow," he sings. The advice floats over a buoyant yet muscular groove, and ringing guitars push toward the arena-friendly rock of Coldplay and U2. The "inspirational" message feels flat – but the bright package it's wrapped in inspires trust

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