Former Lives Review

Benjamin Gibbard

Former Lives Album Cover

Benjamin Gibbard is best known from his work with the indie rock group Death Cab for Cutie with songs such as “Cath”, “I Will Possess Your Heart", and “Soul Meets Body” as well as the group The Postal Service with the songs “Such Great Heights” and “The District Sleeps Alone”. Recently he has released the album Former Lives in October of 2012 which is the first album that has been released under his name. The album includes musical guests such as Aimee Mann in the song “Bigger Than Love”. The songs in Former Lives have a similar sound to the Death Cab for Cutie album Codes and Keys but does not sound as much like the groups earlier albums. In Former Lives most of the songs have the theme of the difficulties of love and heartbreak. But the sound of the instruments that accompanies the vocals vary in sound. Sometimes they have a warm sound to them, and others more or a sad tone. The album even features a short acapella song “Shepherd’s Bush Lullaby”. Overall Former Lives is a great album that features the iconic voice of Benjamin Gibbard. All of the songs on the album sound beautiful. If you enjoy listening to either Death Cab for Cutie or The Postal Service I would suggest listening to Benjamin Gibbard’s Former Lives. Below are two links, one to a NPR video of Benjamin Gibbard performing three songs, and the other is a performance by Gibbard on the Colbert Report.

http://www.npr.org/event/music/165279053/ben-gibbard-tiny-desk-concert

http://www.hulu.com/watch/444244