We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes

Calm, chill, really funky sound to it, touching songs. I could listen to this album 1000x over from start to finish without getting sick of it. The BEST Death Cab for Cutie album by far, and one of the very few albums in my collection I can listen to from start to finish!

This is the first album by Death Cab that I have listened to.

It certainly takes more than one listen to get into this album. As a number of other reviewers have also said, I almost gave this album a skip after my first listen.

Now that I have heard it through a number of times, I appreciate its consistent feel and sad mood. Lots of bands fail in their attempts to make a consistent album where all the songs fit together, but this is one of the rare successes. However, many of the songs do sound similar, and you need to be in a pretty mellow mood to enjoy them.

Most of the songs are good or very good. They build up well and end strongly. The verses, bridges, and choruses fit together. (I find that I only tend to skip one song -- Lowell, MA. I just don't like what Gibbard does with his voice in this song. And the buildup/ending of the final song feels tacked on, like they wanted to finish the album with a bang, even though it doesn't fit in with the song.)

It is also a rare album these days that does not start to drag after the half-way point. In fact, I'd say the 2 "Company Calls" songs usher in a very strong final section.

Almost all the songs seem to deal with relationships gone bad. (Maybe they are all about one relationship.) This makes for a pretty somber album. Even the faster-paced songs have depressing lyrics. This is not a criticism, just a comment in case you are looking for upbeat music.

About the lyrics: They are pretty obscure. Some reviewers have praised them, but I found them to be too confusing to decide if they were good or bad. But they did fit in well with the music, and the Gibbard's voice is excellent. There are times, though, that the music overwhelms the lyrics.

Summary: A good, mellow album about heartbreak and loneliness.

(Editor's Note: Article written by son, Trevor.)


Being a giant fan of Death Cab For Cutie, this was my fifth album by them (sixth, if you count Directions.) I would have to say, this would be my favorite album by them. Everything this band has put out I have been thoroughly impressed by, but something about this one will make you listen to it over and over. The best way to describe it is to go through every song.


1. From the moment you start it, "Title Track" will bring pleasure to your ears. While it is a simple song, something about it you fall in love with. The muffled effect in the beginning and the transition to a clarity after the first chorus adds great effect to the song. However, after about ten or fifteen listens, this song will lose appeal. [4/5]


2. "The Employment Pages" is probably my favorite song on the album. You can listen to this song on repeat for hours, and you'll never tire of it. Though it does have a very slow tempo, the simplicity of the vocals and complexity of the music is an impressive blend. [5/5]

3. "For What Reason" does not particularly stand out in the album, but is none the less a great song. I do agree with some people who said that alot of the songs on this album sound the same, for this and the next track I always mix up. However, it is a great up-tempo tune after "The Employment Pages". I love the effects used on the song. [5/5]

4. One of the catchiest, if not the catchiest song on the album. "Lowell, MA" is a track that no matter what mood you're in will make you grin. The chorus will be immediately drilled into your head the first time you hear it. Melodic guitar riffs and an interesting drum beat make the musical aspect of the song more appealing as well. [5/5]

5. I would say that "405" is the most over-produced song on the album. Though I've never heard it live, I imagine it would be much better, for it would lack all of the studio effects. It is a good song, but needs a better peak as well. [4/5]

6. "Little Fury Bugs" brings the tempo of the album back down at the right time. I would say it is the softest song on the album. The vocals have an odd sound over the single guitar that lasts about half-way through the song, yet it sounds great. When the drums come in, it definitely adds some more interest to the song. Smooth transition to the next song. [5/5]

7. When "Company Calls" builds after the segway of "Little Fury Bugs", you will feel replenished. It opens up the true second half of the album after a breakdown. Melodic guitar riffs stand out particularly, as this song is a great display of the entire band's instrumental skill. The vocals soar easily over, especially during the chorus. The buildups and breakdowns of the bridge are amazing. [5/5]

8. "Company Calls Epilogue" is a lyrical continuation of "Company Calls." However, the musical composition will remind you strongly of "Title Track" and "Little Fury Bugs", but not in a good way. It seems a repetition of past songs. However, the mellow music during the vocal build of the chorus adds a nice effect. [4/5]

9. "No Joy In Mudville" is an extremely unique song. Though the longest song on the album, and maybe the slowest, it fails to bore. The drums are extremely simplistic, but have a catchy beat, and are probably the shining strengh of the song. The building guitar and use of what sounds to be a xylophone adds, as to make a song you've never quite heard anything like before. The lyrics tell an amazing emotional tale of the desire to leave and start in a new town in upstate (assumably, New York.) My personal favorite. [5/5]

10. The end of the album. The volume swells add a great sound to the song. The vocals are great. I love the lyrics, as well."Scientist Studies" truly brings the album to a great close. Instead of leaving you mellowed and depressed, the album's end makes you grin, and give you the urge to hit that play button one more time. [5/5]


Overall, We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes is in my opinion the best album Death Cab For Cutie has ever put out. For other true Death Cab For Cutie fans, I'd also recommend Transatlanticism. Not quite a similar album, but it is truly amazing. Comparable songs on it would be "Expo '86" and "The New Year". If you're looking for new Death Cab For Cutie, buy that. Or, if you're a fan of those songs on Transatlanticism, buy this album. As lead vocalist and guitarist Ben Gibbard played drums on all songs but "The Employment Pages" and "Company Calls Epilogue", I would say he is the best drummer the band has ever had. His skill far surpasses the previous drummer who quit during the early sessions of the album. If you are a musician such as myself into a more mellow, but still complex style of music, this album will be influential on your writing. Just to clarify though, this is not an "emo" album, and if you are buying it expecting it to be, it is not at all. Also, if you're looking for new music of similar styles, I'd recommend you check out Straylight Run and Elliott Smith. Hope this review helped you!

while i love transatlanticism and plans. i feel they are great for a band that is evolving musically. we have the facts however is by far my favorite release from the immortal death cab for cutie. songs like For What Reason and Title Track leave me with a twinkle in my eye its the two Company Calls songs that bring this album home. i see far too many reviews from people that are comparing this album to plans and the truth is that while plans is a great album. we have the facts makes that album look like top 40 garbage

This band continues to impress and amaze me even though I have already listened to all of their albums. When I first listened to this album, I could have agreed with the somewhat negative reviews, but now I wouldn't have anything to do with them. The more you listen to Death Cabs CDs the more you will come to understand and respect the group and their work.