I liked this record.

I really didn't think I would; it received insane amounts of praise, hype, and was a topic of conversation for hipster kids everywhere I went. But I was shocked to actually hear it; it is a creative and heartfelt album, riddled with simple but enveloping rhythms and deceivingly intricate lyrics (my personal favorite comes close to the start of the record "You seem so out of context/in this gaudy apartment complex"). There is neat electronica at work here as well, simple yet intriguing beats and percussion rhythms that are subtle enough to not be overbearing, yet ever present and impressive.

The "band" takes its name from the nature of its existence: it was a back and forth mailed project, shipped Seattle to LA and back, between Death Cab's Ben Gibbard and Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello. One wonders what would happen if the two of them were in a room together; personally, I hope to never find out.

-Todd Berry