Give Up

If there's anything to the clever adage that, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture," then trying to describe The Postal Service's "Give Up" would be more along the lines of pantomiming Stonehenge: to do so would be incomprehensible, over-ambitious, and ultimately unsuccessful. However, to not review this disc would be the greater crime, so here goes. To begin with, the new listener must dispense with all the tired comparisons to other artists we've seen in the 200 previous reviews of this CD. Those reviewers, well-meaning as they all are, have only managed to parallel one flavor of genius with another (Radiohead, for example). Searching for traces of Radiohead, U2, or even Beck in "Give Up" will be about as fruitful as looking for the Seattle sound in a Blondie record. The Postal Service sound represents that unique, unmatchable byproduct that can only come from a beautiful mistake (the Gibbard and Tamborello hybrid). Forgive my arrogance here, but I think this album will do for the ever-widening and accessible world of electronica what the Beatles did for rock and roll. That is, "Give Up" will save electronica from itself, bringing a much needed sense of vision to a brand of music which, as of late, has aspired to no greater purpose than that of moving bodies and disengaging minds (a disappointing trend being followed by a lot of the new Trance produced lately). "Give Up" is the impossibly optimistic answer to all the question marks left in the wake of the last thirty years, a confusing, sometimes hopeless smattering of everything from the revolutionary, but tiring Kraftwerk, and the dead-on New Order to the vapid one-trick ponies like Ace of Base. At a time during electronic music's short history when some may already be tempted to assume we've seen it all (and certainly the Vengaboys were proof enough of that), now come the likes of The Postal Service...which, by the way, should not be considered a strictly "electronic" duo. To the contrary, these two have simply used the digital medium as a tool in their grander endeavor: good music. Ben's words fit Jimmy's sounds like a glove, though never predictable and frequently addictive. Songs like the masterful "Brand New Colony" redefine the love song the way Brian Wilson helped reinvent the pop song; it's a tale of devotion and adoration--minus the pomp--rivalled by nothing else out there today. The first single, "Such Great Heights" and it's commercial follow-up, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight," show off the Gibbard-Tamborello craft in all of its glimmering majesty, neither of them running a single second longer than they should. "Sleeping In" and "Recycled Air" are equally devastating in their atmospheric melodies, while still painting emotive portraits using Gibbard's economy of words. The Postal Service, as evidenced in this their uncanny debut, is a sonic miracle, equally comprised of unfettered art and deft science. If this is any indication of things to come, electronica--and the broader spectrum of pop, for that matter--may still have a fighting chance at life.

The only way to describe this album is "indescribable". Of the entire collection, one song will forever stick in my mind. "Such Great Heights" was introduced to me by my ex, along with several other songs from the album. Though they were difficult to hear over the rumble of the car's ragged engine, I got a sense of the album's pop-electric-indie ambiance which still haunts me. "When you are out there on the road..." The chorus makes me think of flying high above the earth with the one you love, above the troubles where "everything looks perfect from far away." The middle "break-down" is perfectly spaced and wonderfully blended. This song encompasses all moods, from wistful, to happy, to hurting, to love. This song blends wonderfully into the next song "Sleeping In", which I also fell in love with. Each song is distinct and unique, wonderfully creative. Obviously extremely creative, this pair of talented musicians known as Postal Service (with wonderful, subtle backing vocals by Jenny Lewis and Jenny Wood's duet in "Nothing Better") has collaborated to create a magnificent work. The beauty of The Postal Service lies in their ability to incorporate non-musical electronic sounds, found them on a driving beat, and blend in soaring, heart-melting vocals that glide over honest, simple, yet profound lyrics and create a unique musical experience. Complex layers of sound intensify the need to cry and dance at the same time. With Ben Gibbard's lyrics and voice alone, this album would be worthwhile. But the electronic elements and wonderful mixes of sounds make this album truly distinctive and exquisite. I had considered just buying "Such Great Heights" on Itunes, but after reading all the great reviews, purchased the whole album. I'm so glad I did, because I love every song on the album, and have had it on repeat on my ipod for weeks. Ben Gibbard has an outstanding concept in creating a cd that defies so many "rules" of song, traditional music, and use of sound. His creativity and openness shine through in this charming album. You can't help but sigh as he melodically sings: "I want to take you far From the cynics in this town And kiss you on the mouth..."

I first heard Such Great Heights in Iraq when I was in the military, I thought it was genius. A perfect blend of quirky beats, electronic sounds and soft lyrics. I picked this CD up...I am so glad I did. One of those CD's you can put on anytime and enjoy, not like some hate metal CD you can't listen too unless you feel like being amped. The songs are very simple, and thats a good thing. They are not too complex but have the fundemental pleasantness about them. I once listened to this CD all day while painting my home, it never gets old, it always seems fresh. Songs like Clark Gable and The District Sleeps Alone Tonight are unbelieveable, and some are jsut good. There is not one bad song on this CD. I have played this before in my office, with people initially commenting "Oh dude what is this crap" and "What the heck are you listening to?" most of these people never give this CD a chance. Eventually thru heavy play people appreciate it and like it. Not so much my Depeche Mode though. Buy this CD if you are introverted...or enjoy pastel life, contemporary by nature. This CD is for you, if you are a trend follower listening to Little Wayne and think the world revolves around what American Idol contestant whom just won last month and put an album out this month written by music exec's has to offer and offer only and anything else is "not cool" please pass, you are a disgrace to individual thinking.

くそいいです。death cab for cutieよりこっちのが好きです。枯れてて寒くていい感じ！

Excelente Disco, llegó perfecto 😸

Awesome!

if you love music... you'll love this

Sooooo many memories with this album! When they announced the tour I decided NOT to go because I wanted avoid the risk of being disappointed on a band that made such a great album. You guys tell me how it was!