Through Rain, Snow, Sleet, or Heat, The Postal Service Delivers
When Dntel’s Jimmy Tamborello and Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard teamed up a few years ago to work on the prior’s Life Is Full of Possibilities, doubtfully either artist foresaw the brilliant consequence of their collaboration together. The origins of the Postal Service lay in Dntel’s “This Is the Dream of Evan & Chan,” the song on which Gibbard lends his vocal artillery. It was this partnership that would lead to a budding friendship (in a pen-pal sort-of-way) facilitated by U.S. Postal Service – hence the duo’s name.The Postal Service’s debut album, Give Up, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Sublime in its lyrical content, ethereal in its musical composition, and, for lack of a better word, corny in its synthesizer-drenched poppiness, Give Up is a fine example of indie pop music done right. “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” and “Such Great Heights” demonstrate the twosome’s knack for new-wave peppiness and admiration for synth-pop. Gibbard’s boyish, almost innocent, heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics shine bright on “Nothing Better,” a collaboration with fellow indie comrade Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame. “Recycled Air” and “This Place is a Prison” provide for the low-key ambient interludes. In the end, Give Up borders on the “Is it pop? Or is it indie?” question.
Tamborello and Gibbard’s musical palette is both varied and colorful. Doses of new-wave, synth-pop, and electronica make Give Up an enjoyable listen to both pop fans and indie aficionados alike – genres generally considered to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. Give Up shows that pop can be “cool” after all and proves that indie music doesn’t have to be so avant-garde to keep its credibility.