Postal Service "Give Up"

[Giles]

I just picked up this album this afternoon after hearing several good things about the band - and was very very impressed. Their music cames across as a less syrupy incarnation of Arling and Cameron by way of a very stripped down Pet Shop Boys sound. Neverless, it's great to find a little hidden gem of an album that will definately be added to one of my favourites of this year.

[Cosmic Bus]

I couldn't get into this at all. Just struck me as one of the more bland, boring things I'd heard in quite a while... Jimmy Tamborello's Dntel album has a pretty similar sound, and was a much better album all together, IMO.

[stevevt]

I like this album a lot.

It really grew on me after repeated listens, too. It's on my top 10 for the year, although I mistakenly listed the "Such Great Heights" single in this thread (http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=330430).

[RevLiver]

If you like the Postal Service, you should check out the projects from the artists who combined to form Postal Service - Dntel and Death Cab for Cutie.

Also, you might like Manitoba - Up in Flames, it has a similar sound to it.

[Chim]

The Postal Service is awesome.

It sounds like a pop version of The Faint

[KV12482]

I love this album!!!

Kyle

[fallow]

I really like "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" and "Nothing Better" but the rest of the CD is only *okay* to me. I would really love to hear some more work between Jimmy Tamborello and Mia Doi Todd - "Anywhere Anyone" is my favorite song from D'ntel's A Life of Possibilities.

[Giantrobo]

Ok, I know I'm a late bloomer when it comes to this stufff but I just heard one of their songs on 103.1 here in L.A.

I like this band :up:

[illennium]

One of the best albums of 2003.

[Penny Lane]

I love the first five songs on the album, but I could take or leave the rest. But the first ones are so good I often listen on repeat. :)

[Chim]

I think the last songs are some of the best! Track 9 (Brand new Colony) and 7 ( We will become silhouettes) are awesome!

The shins actually did a cover of we will become silhouettes... very cool

[boston george]

Excellent cd.

[DodgingCars]

Originally posted by Giantrobo
Ok, I know I'm a late bloomer when it comes to this stufff but I just heard one of their songs on 103.1 here in L.A.

I like this band :up:

That's where I first heard them and I really liked the song they played -- reminded me of Jimmy Eat World. I listened to their album on Rhapsody and really liked it... also has a All-American Rejects sound to it.

[FatTony]

Amazing album. I downloaded some tracks which made me buy the album. Who says internet downloading is affecting CD sales?

[SomeVoices]

Originally posted by RevLiver
If you like the Postal Service, you should check out the projects from the artists who combined to form Postal Service - Dntel and Death Cab for Cutie.
I'll second that recommendation for Death Cab for Cutie. Their new album Transatlanticism is excellent.

[stevevt]

Update from MTV (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491012/20040916/index.jhtml?headlines=true)

The Postal Service's Give Up shows no sign of doing so.

"We made that record like two years ago and it's still selling like crazy," puzzled Postal singer Ben Gibbard said. "I don't really know why."

Like the Energizer bunny, the album, released in February 2003, keeps going and going. The collaboration between Death Cab for Cutie frontman Gibbard, Dntel mastermind Jimmy Tamborello and Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis was just meant to be a fun little side project (see "Death Cab Singer Goes Postal With Electronic Side Project") but it has steadily crawled to 351,000-plus copies sold thanks to the wistful pop singles "Such Great Heights" and "The District Sleeps Tonight."

The group's sleeper-hit debut melds pop and electronic beats in a manner that plays to the strengths of each genre to create a hybrid some have dubbed "lap-pop," because a laptop computer figures prominently in its production and performance.

But along with its surprising heights, the Postal Service story has also had its potential pitfalls. The United States Postal Service threatened to sue if the band didn't change its moniker, apparently not understanding that the group had nothing but respect for the USPS — Gibbard and Tamborello, living hundreds of miles apart, relied on the mail to record their debut.

"I went down to L.A. and had a meeting with some guys who worked at the [USPS]. It worked out and we came to a consensus," Gibbard said. "After all, I mean, we made a record using the U.S. Postal Service at a time when [they're] losing [money] because people are doing everything electronically. The bottom line is they're being really cordial about it."

As part of their deal to make nice, the Postal Service will perform at the annual USPS convention on November 17 in Washington, D.C.

In the meantime, the group recently made a video for their cover of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" from the "Wicker Park" soundtrack.

"I've always had a soft spot for Phil Collins. He's a great vocalist. And the thing is that I can't [really] sing that song," Gibbard said. "I was trying to do the vocals for that song in my house and there are all these little inflections and flutters. It's really acrobatic."

Skeptics may scratch their heads over the group's choice of cover songs, but for the Postal Service, pop isn't a four-letter word. "I've covered Avril Lavigne. I like good pop songs, and I don't think there should be any kind of preconceptions about where good pop songs come from," Gibbard said adamantly. "At the core you are heading towards the same ends — you're trying to create this three-minute little symphony."

After "Against All Odds," the group's next video will be for Give Up's "Silhouettes," which will be helmed by "Napoleon Dynamite" writer/director Jared Hess.

"He talks exactly like all the characters in the movie," Gibbard said. "He's like, 'Dude, I've got a sweet concept for the video.' "

While the group is being tight-lipped about the concept, one can assume the video will touch upon the song's themes — one that the Postal Service frontman says evolved from post-September 11 anxiety.

"Every time you turned on the news there was something to be scared about," Gibbard said of the days following 9-11. "I feel that we are currently living in a world that is similar to late '50s/ early '60s kind of world. All the propaganda that we see today is on par with the propaganda from [that era], but it can't be laughed off now because that threat exists."

As for the next Postal Service record, don't hold your breath. Death Cab for Cutie and Dntel are both scheduled to issue new discs before the Postal Service regroup. But the idea is there.

"I think realistically we'll probably start working on the next record over the next year or two. ... I don't want to rush it. But there will be another record," Gibbard said.

Given the success of both of his groups, some have wondered where Gibbard's allegiance lies, and while he insists Death Cab are his main band, he doesn't shortchange his thriving electronic group.

"My heart is in everything I do," he said. "I don't half-ass anything."

—Rodrigo Perez

[DJLinus]

I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but I just got the album and it's freakin' BRILLIANT. Just great stuff.

For a while there I was wondering who the singer's voice sounded like and then it hit me: Freedy Johnston. Anyone else hear that?

As part of their deal to make nice, the Postal Service will perform at the annual USPS convention on November 17 in Washington, D.C.

That line makes me laugh. I'm generalizing here and there's no doubt exceptions, but when I go to the post office none of the employees there (or my mailman, for that matter) seem to be the typical indie/electronic/IDM fan. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that they are playing the convention, but I think the attendees would probably rather hear Phil Collins, Anita Baker, or Reba McEntire.

[NaturalMystic79]

Originally posted by fallow
I really like "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" and "Nothing Better" but the rest of the CD is only *okay* to me. I would really love to hear some more work between Jimmy Tamborello and Mia Doi Todd - "Anywhere Anyone" is my favorite song from D'ntel's A Life of Possibilities.

:thumbsup: Agreed!

[chrisfelice]

Thread Resurrection!!!

I had never heard of this band until I read this article on Digg.com: The Postal Service 'dissappointed' with Apple's Intel Ad (http://digg.com/apple/The_Postal_Service_dissappointed_with_Apple_s_Intel_Ad)

So they get upset that Apple “copies” their music video for their “Intel-Inside” computer commercial… What I don’t get is… had Apple NOT done that, how many people would STILL not know who they are?

I for one think this CD is now one of my all time favorites! I am truly surprised that I had never picked this one up in the past!

If you haven’t heard it, give it a try…

[Chaza]

Thread Resurrection!!!

I had never heard of this band until I read this article on Digg.com: The Postal Service 'dissappointed' with Apple's Intel Ad (http://digg.com/apple/The_Postal_Service_dissappointed_with_Apple_s_Intel_Ad)

So they get upset that Apple “copies” their music video for their “Intel-Inside” computer commercial… What I don’t get is… had Apple NOT done that, how many people would STILL not know who they are?

I for one think this CD is now one of my all time favorites! I am truly surprised that I had never picked this one up in the past!

If you haven’t heard it, give it a try…

Their music has been all over the place, including The O.C.

Umm, that video is like 2 years old, and they've sold well over 100k records. Very popular on myspace, not bad for a side project. Kinda pissed I missed their tour, as if there is another album, the venues for the tour will be huge probably.

[KV12482]

Umm, that video is like 2 years old, and they've sold well over 100k records.

FYI: The record went Gold (500k) a long time ago. I wouldnt doubt it if it were nearing platinum status by now.

[starseed1981]

I would much rather have a new Postal Service album than another DCFC one.
On another note, has anybody listened to the Dntel album? Good stuff; not as poppy as the Postal Service though.

[Hollowgen]

I would much rather have a new Postal Service album than another DCFC one.
On another note, has anybody listened to the Dntel album? Good stuff; not as poppy as the Postal Service though.

yeah, and the gibbard song is pretty awesome on that disc too.

[Hiro11]

Check out Minotaur Shock if you like Postal Service.

[DonnachaOne]

I really like the CD, and thank you all for the recommendations. I'll have to check 'em out.

[Brain Stew]

That line makes me laugh. I'm generalizing here and there's no doubt exceptions, but when I go to the post office none of the employees there (or my mailman, for that matter) seem to be the typical indie/electronic/IDM fan. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that they are playing the convention, but I think the attendees would probably rather hear Phil Collins, Anita Baker, or Reba McEntire.
There were threats of lawsuits, due to the name issue. They came to a compromise and The Postal Service will play at their conference for free and the USPS may sell the album in post offices. It's a little weird, but whatever.

[The Bus]

Thread Resurrection!!!

I had never heard of this band until I read this article on Digg.com: The Postal Service 'dissappointed' with Apple's Intel Ad (http://digg.com/apple/The_Postal_Service_dissappointed_with_Apple_s_Intel_Ad)

So they get upset that Apple “copies” their music video for their “Intel-Inside” computer commercial… What I don’t get is… had Apple NOT done that, how many people would STILL not know who they are?

I for one think this CD is now one of my all time favorites! I am truly surprised that I had never picked this one up in the past!

If you haven’t heard it, give it a try…

The director of the music video is the same director as the ad.

[tha_dvd_man]

I love this album. A really unique pop sound. It's also become one of 'those' albums that has a lot of nostalgic value and reminds you of a certain time- namely, fall of 2004 when my friend discovered PS and told me about the album.