Death Cab for Cutie explores new territory with their quasi-experimental single “Foxglove Through the Clearcut,” which comes off the band’s upcoming studio album Asphalt MeadowsSeptember 16th,
Combining spoken word elements with the band’s signature observational lyricism and introspective instrumentation, the song examines the thoughts brought about by aimless wanderings, random encounters and solitude. Initially morose and defeatist in its opening stanzas — frontman Ben Gibbard pleadingly repeats the phrase “nowhere left to go” during an early refrain — the song builds to a swirling crescendo of dreamy guitar leads and serenity as Gibbard reflects on the imagery of “ten thousand tombstones reaching for the sky.”
“Foxglove is by far the most personal song on the record,”Gibbard made the statement about the song. “While I was writing it, I thought I was merely the narrator. But the longer I sat with it, I realized I was both the protagonist AND the narrator.”
“Foxglove Through the Clearcut”Following previous album cuts “Roman Candles”And “Here to Forever,”Lance Bangs, noted filmmaker, produced the music video. In support of Death Cab, they will be hitting the road. Asphalt MeadowsThis fall, Yo La Tengo (indie rock pioneer) and Low (supporter on selected dates) will be joining the tour. The expansive tour kicks off September 22 in Madison, Wisconsin and wraps with a two-night stint at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre on September 26 and 27.