I ame on the old message board about 2003 and the first message I read was re: the lyric in new year where ben says,

"I wish the world was flat like the old days, and we could travel just by folding a map"

The poster in question said that he was surprised that ben had taken such a literal stance on a lyric and was worried that this was a sign of things to come...

How right he was.

I definitely agree that Ben's lyrics have dipped, but I really love that line. I think 'the new year' hits the right balance of a theme/subject and then putting an original spin on it.

So many on narrow stairs (no sunlight, talking bird, twin size bed) come off as gimmicky and ultimately a little empty. I think alot of the reason people don't like narrow stairs too much is because it's not as relatable as the other records.

Just my thoughts...

His next album is going to be a collaboration with Whitestarr and he's going to have a reality tv show where they follow him around. It's gunna be awesome!!

Why do people think that literal lyrics are bad? Company Calls Epilogue has some of the most literal lyrics Ben has ever written and it is also one of their best songs...

Yeah personally I have nothinbg against that lyric in new yeaR it was just something someone said but check out how true it is now, everything seems to be so literal I mean cath/CCE Pt.II and when he does try to not to be literal- talking bird/twin sized bed they turned out to be the worst death cab songs of all time. I don't want them to quit while they're ahead but I also was gutted by the quality of the open door ep. ah le sigh.

That is an awesome lyric I think. Hence that is why it is my signature thingy...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... just listen to the music.

Sure, it's different, but I wouldn't say bad. I think Talking Bird is really a beautiful song. Also, who are we to complain about how Ben or anyone writes? It's their thaaang.

Oh man, so much hate on Twin Sized Bed. And I thought that was one of the better songs on Narrow Stairs..

Also, Talking Bird, being literal? Given, I don't know EXACTLY what the song is about, but I always figured it was an extended metaphor... O_o

Or maybe I'm just dumb.

quote:

Originally posted by ummmmm:
Yeah personally I have nothinbg against that lyric in new yeaR it was just something someone said but check out how true it is now, everything seems to be so literal I mean cath/CCE Pt.II and when he does try to not to be literal- talking bird/twin sized bed they turned out to be the worst death cab songs of all time. I don't want them to quit while they're ahead but I also was gutted by the quality of the open door ep. ah le sigh.

That's just an opinion, I personally think those songs are as good as anything on their first record.

The thing is, the lyrics on Narrow Stairs aren't literal. They're cliched, obvious attempts at metaphors.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam M:
Oh man, so much hate on Twin Sized Bed. And I thought that was one of the better songs on Narrow Stairs..

Also, Talking Bird, being literal? Given, I don't know EXACTLY what the song is about, but I always figured it was an extended metaphor... O_o

Or maybe I'm just dumb.

I don't mean to be a jerk but you misread my post dumbass.

where the heck is their a link to the old messageboard? I always click on the one on this site and it takes me no where.

quote:

Originally posted by ummmmm:
I don't mean to be a jerk but you misread my post

Oh, okay, you're right then, I apolo--

quote:

Originally posted by ummmmm:
dumbass.

So you DO mean to be a jerk. Nevermind then. >_>

quote:

Originally posted by Super James:
His next album is going to be a collaboration with Whitestarr and he's going to have a reality tv show where they follow him around. It's gunna be awesome!!

...... NOOOO!!! Not gonna happen. :P

I listened to narrow stairs today. It's not bad once in a while, i absolutely loved it when I first heard it, but they staying power is lacking. Ben needs to take a creative writing course or something.

UberKimTron: He's going to be all over L.A. Ink soon too.