Death Cab for Cutie - The Forbidden Love EP (5 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

More like 4.5; Include one of DCFC's best songs

Paul H. | USA | 12/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Forbidden Love EP could have been a few throwaways to keep fans busy until the follow-up to We Have The Facts..., but it's not. It includes "Photobooth," one of Death Cab's best songs. "Photobooth" has become a fan favorite, and rightly so; it's a beautiful indie-pop tune with some gorgeous synths and Ben Gibbard's heartfelt lyrics. "Technicolor Girls" is a nice, but inessential, tune, but "Song For Kelly Huckaby," like "Photobooth," is one of Death Cab's strongest songs. "Song For Kelly Huckaby" indicates the direction Death Cab would take for The Photo Album, as it is one of Death Cab's louder tunes.
The acoustic version of "405" is very pretty, but the alternate take of "Company Calls Epilogue" takes one of the strongest tunes on We Have The Facts and turns it into what sounds like a lo-fi demo. In other words, it's nothing special. Overall, though, "Photobooth" and "Song For Kelly Huckaby" makes the Forbidden Love EP an essential purchase for any Death Cab fan."

This is as good as an EP can get

Taylor | Illinois | 11/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Death Cab for Cutie is one of the best bands ever, and this EP has 5 of their best songs. If you want to get into death cab this would be a good first purchase from them."Photobooth" is about as good as a song can get. I've heard it a dozens of times and its never gotten old, everything about it is amazing: the lyrics, the singing, the little clicking noise throughout the whole thing, and the instrumental part in the middle with the bells is incredible. It's such a simple song, but it's so listenable, i've never seen anyone who hasn't liked this song. "Technicolor Girls" is also a fantastic song, it gives you that nice, warm feeling, and i find it hard not to start humming along with it. It's also very simple and stripped down. For alot of the song its just the electrical guitar and the vocals, which sound so good together."Song for Kelly Huckaby" is sad sounding song all about "photographs of the past". It's very emotional and hits harder than any other song on the EP. You see a more complex side of the band in this song that i really like. It's a good song to listen to after a break up."405 (Acoustic)" after photobooth is my favorite song on the EP. It's one of the prettiest songs they've ever written, the acoustic guitar is fantastic, it's reminiscent of classic acoustic songs such as "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. Ben has a really high voice, and this is about as high as his voice ever gets on this song. "Company Calls Epilogue" was proclaimed by Ben as his favorite death cab song. I love the acoustic guitar in this song, especially when it cuts to it about 2 minutes into the song. Like every Death Cab song, this one has a great melody and great lyrics.Basically this EP is a must have for music fans, and especially death cab fans. If you like Indie Rock at all you'll love this EP. I can not say how good this EP is so just get it and find out."

Good for fans, and maybe others

Bando | 10/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before I review this EP, you might want to know about my credentials. I am not now, or ever have been: a fan of indie. I have known about this band for quite some time now. But, I never really stopped to take a good listen. After a while though, their prescence got the best of me, and I decided to purchase this EP to see what these dudes were all about, and what a pleasant experience it was.

The disc opens up with the catchy technical drumbeat intro of "photobooth". A song littered with mellow keyboards, calming guitar picking and lyrically soothing goodness. I quickly decided that simply because of that one song, this band was a winner. I realize that photobooth is in most people's oppinion the best on here, but it's enough to make this CD worthwhile. As for the other tracks... Well, i'm getting to them.

After photobooth comes the even slower and less upbeat "technicolor girls". For some reason this song didn't do it for me. I suspect that's because I'm used to much more upbeat stuff. (I.E. punk, hardcore) I'd like to think that fans of indie rock would like this very much.

Next in line if the drawny "Song for Kelly Huckaby". This track in my oppinion has some very fine guitarwork and nice vocal effects. It's sort of sad like the last two songs but still gets me smiling.

"405" is an acoustic relapse of another Death cab song I havent even heard. I enjoyed it greatly and was glad to hear a happier and upbeat song on here. Lastly, Company calls finishes up this EP. The drumbeat on here is really cool and lyrics really standout from the rest. All in all a great finisher.

I found that this EP was a bit more mellow and poppy than their other stuff I've heard, which sounds more indie-rockish. I'm glad I bought this, I even went on to purchase "we have the facts" a couple weeks after. Although this isn't a genre a music I particularly spend a lot of time in, I think anyone can enjoy these songs, no matter what their tastes. there wasn't a single song here that I didn't enjoy in some way. I would also recommend this highly to anyone wanting to get into this band, but don't know where to start.

7/10 score for catchy vibes, good lyrics, and some innovation here and there. Very flattering EP..."

Heartfelt Music at its Finest

Skyline 99 | Chicago, IL | 09/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got into Death Cab for Cutie about a year ago and I have to admit, it took me a LONG time to truly recognize the beauty of this EP. Hailing from Seattle, DCFC is now fairly well known in the indie scene and is getting recognized airplay on college radio. This group has opened up my eyes to low-fi emo and indie rock, and I am all the more thankfull now that I tried hard, and in the end loved this cd. Containing 3 previously unreleased tracks and two alternate versions of tracks from the mysteriously wonderful We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, this EP basically showcases DCFC's talent as well as some of the best songs they've put out. Photobooth, the opening track, starts out with a looped drum track then goes on to tell the melancholy story of lost love and moving on afterwards. While the next track, Technicolor Girls may be what I think the "weakest" song on the cd in relative terms, it still is a good song, and I like the stand-up bass in the backround. Song for Kelly Huckaby is a little slow to get into but then picks up, and the refrain makes it all worthwhile. The acoustic version of 405 is just as good as the original, and the lyrics are just pure poetry. The last track, an alternate version of Company Calls Epilogue, has to be one of my favorite songs of all time. Personally, I think this song is just pure genius, and the sometimes cryptic lyrics and calming singing just meld with the music into a true masterpiece. This has to be the one of the most emtional songs I have heard in a long time and one of the most original. I have never heard the topic of realizing you lost the one you loved so eloquently and thoughtfully put as in this song. While I know it sounds I have nothing bad to say about DCFC at all (which is kinda true), this EP makes up for some of the slight shortcomings on We Have the Facts....With that said, I still have to admit, this stuff is fairly low-fi, and is best listened to on rainy days and long drives down an empty stretch of road. I wouldn't say it's a refined taste, but for someone like me who basically before Death Cab for Cutie found this stuff very hard to listen to, it does take a while to get used to. I'd say it look me at least 15 listenings over 2 months. This EP may not change your life, but in the end, you might say that it definetely compliments it. A must buy for anyone who is curious about broadening their music horizons or already loves indie rock."

Worth the price

Bunny Lane | NYC | 07/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is album is great, so great that everyone should own a copy. The album starts with "Photobooth". Everyone who loves Death Cab For Cutie loves them either because this song or love this song just cause. Its just that good of a song. It starts with an ecclectic drum beat that leads to a nice riff. The lyrics are both meaningful, intresting, and the type of lyrics that you hear and go "aw, man why didn't I write that?" Next, "Techinicolor Girls" is a great song. It starts off nice and slow and continues that way. I sometimes have a problem seeing where "Photo" end and "Girls" begin but it is rather clear. "Girls" continues to have intresting lyrics the whole way through, though its not one of those songs that you hear and can go "that's my life." Its still a very good laid back song. "Photo" and "Girls" are my two favorite songs not only on the CD but by Death Cab... The other three songs "Song for...", "405" and "Company Calls" are all very good. This CD is worth the buy."

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	Death Cab for Cutie The Forbidden Love EP Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (5) - Disc #1 Photobooth Technicolor Girls Song For Kelly Huckaby 405 (Acoustic) Company Calls Epilogue (Alternate) EP features 3 brand new songs plus two alternative versions from 'We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes'. Barsuk Records.
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