By Adam Pugh
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Thursday November 7, 2002
You Can Play
The group now known as Death Cab for Cutie was at one time just two guys, Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla, making a demo tape. The tape circulated and made an impression on the right people, and the guys quickly became an underground success for their style of melodic beauty.
"You can play ·" is the original demo that the guys put out with 11 extra tracks of B-sides and rarities for all to enjoy. The album is a nice refresher course to hear the band's development from its inception, compared with the group's latest efforts.
The CD does not just rehash some old recordings or throw the same material at the listener again. It is positively a work unto itself. And by incorporating the group's older recordings, which are great for what they are, the album feels complete and comprehensive.
As always, the band pulls off their music with flair in a non-intrusive way. It is great for relaxing and sometimes even dancing to. The album does not boast to be complicated or intricate in any way. It is just pure melody and harmony mixed together to make beautiful songs. Nothing quite says "I love you" like a long ride with the Death Cab.
