The Postal Service - Give Up (Give Up - The Postal Service)

Member Name: carlmcq

Product:	Give Up - The Postal Service
Date:	04/10/09 (168 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Album

Disadvantages: None

Ah yes, the side project. The immortal words in any musicians life which are an attempt to make a bit more cash, sound a bit different and not really make that much of an impact of the music industry (with the odd exception thrown in for good measure). Well here's one that will make you take note; The Postal Service, and their one and only album; "Give Up".

Released in 2003, the band was an idea created by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello. Anyone familiar with Death Cab For Cutie will know their electronic indie pop and The Postal Service take this to, in my opinion, a better level.

This ten-track album opens with District Sleeps Alone Tonight and instantly highlights the electronic theme to proceedings. It's catchy, foot tapping and harmonic at the same time. There are clearly complex layers of instruments that these guys must have been working on for months at a time.

Then comes possibly the song that most people will recognise - Such Great Heights. A song that personifies musical brilliance. Using the electronic element, the melodies of the verses and choruses are sublime. Numerous choruses have been made of this song - just take a gander on YouTube if you haven't heard it before and become fixated with it.

Tracks such as Sleeping In, Clark Gable and We Will Become Silhouettes are worthy adversaries to the first two tracks on the album; so don't fear that this is a one trick pony of an album - it's far from it. For example, Clark Gable uses a drum machine and a small brass band to produce a unique mix of music. Some songs on the album also feature vocals from Jenny Lewis, the singer of Rilo Kiley. Of course, anyone who doesn't know who they are, that will mean nothing!

It's the kind of album you can have on in the background and drift away to. Relax and just chill out. It remains upbeat but at the same time doesn't get carried away and heavy-handed with the synthesisers and drum machines.

Have a search on iTunes, listen to tracks in full on YouTube, or take a punt on it on Amazon. But as the title suggests, don't give up on it...as both men have said there is very little chance of the Postal Service ever producing a second album. Buy this and enjoy a side project anyone would be proud to be part of. A musical delight.

Summary: Brilliant electronic/indie/chilled out music