death cab for cutie kintsugiThe band’s last album Codes and Keys was largely about lead singer Ben Gibbard’s relationship with his wife Zooey Deschanel. Now that they are no longer together the follow up album is about her once again. Or at least the first half of the album is. This time it depicts her in a much less positive light. The song “No Room in Frame” contains the line “Was I in your way when the cameras turned to face you?” and is brutally honest about what his feelings towards her are. The brutal truth continues with the track “You Have Haunted Me All My Life”. With those two and a couple of other tracks he seems to have gotten what he needs to say off of his chest and then the second half of the album seems like it is from a different group. Whereas the first half is filled with brooding and lament the second is full of life and pep. At least musically. The topic of “my darn ex-wife” continues. It is an album that stands as a testimony for their relationship and its failure. Instead of becoming tired of his “woe is me” attitude towards his ex and their relationship because he is such a good wordsmith the result is rather elegant and emotional. Prepare yourself for quite a ride.