Benjamin Gibbard (better known as vocalist of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service) is due to release his first solo album Former Lives on October 15th (City Slang).

The first single Teardrop Windows has just been released as a free download on soundcloud.

Teardrop Windows is about Seattle’s Smith Tower (Gibbard’s hometown). It began as an unabashed attempt to, in Benjamin’s words, “write a Big Star inspired song,” but quickly morphed into something else entirely. The Smith, built in 1914, was once the jewel of the Seattle skyline but has since been forced out of the frame by the iconic Space Needle and other taller or otherwise attention-grabbing structures. “To me, it represents the things we take for granted when something newer, bigger and flashier comes into our lives,” Gibbard explains.

Solo albums by individual members of a famous band are always difficult because fans often find it difficult to adept to a sound that may be significantly different from that of their band and, on the part of the artist, the lack of input from the rest of the band that makes their sound just so unique. On the other hand, it is a good way for a band member to try something that they couldn’t do with the band.

Teardrop Windows is not a bad song but it’s insignificant strumming pattern and repetitive melody may not be enough to meet the expectations of the Death Cab fans out there – or will it do just that?

Rating: ♪♪♪♪♪

Preorder: Benjamin Gibbard - Former Lives |

Track listing for Former Lives:

1. Shepherd’s Bush Lullaby
2. Dream Song
3. Teardrop Windows
4. Bigger Than Love
5. Lily
6. Something’s Rattling (Cowpoke)
7. Duncan, Where Have You Gone?
8. Oh, Woe
9. A Hard One To Know
10. Lady Adelaide
11. Broken Yolk In Western Sky
12. I’m Building A Fire

More tour dates will be announced soon.

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