Narrow Stairs Death Cab for Cutie Atlantic Records Rocks like: The Decemberists, Snow Patrol

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Ben Gibbard has returned with the next lustrous entry in Death Cab for Cutie’s solid history with “Narrow Stairs.” Smooth lyrics accompany strategically reserved guitar and piano streaks that break away into rock passages at precisely calculated moments, delivering an experience accomplished by time-hardened lessons.

Fans who listened to DCFC’s last album, “Plans,” more often than going to class will experience a poignant conflict: This album is not in the same style as the quirkier indie album from 2005. However, hearing Gibbard’s vocals break in the first track will revive latent frustrations piled up from a three-year wait only to relieve them promptly.

Whereas previous albums sounded personal and had an edge of anxiety driving the tracks into the hearts of indie hipsters nationwide, “Narrow Stairs” displays more confidence and easily flowing vocals. Don’t let the postmodern album cover fool you, this album is accessible and should be accessed by anyone with an appreciation for music.

The album’s opening track, “Bixby Canyon Bridge,” drifts more than five minutes from silence to a rock crescendo. While the vocals are more mature than previous albums, they display the familiar wistful imagination that has become a Gibbard trademark.

An acoustic intro builds up until the waiting becomes unbearable. If something didn’t happen at that precise moment halfway through the song, the entire album would flop.

But Cutie pulls up just in time, and it’s only after the power chords christen the quiet ship that listeners realize the band knew what it was doing all along. The suspense was intended. Gibbard’s reverbed vocals leap in right after the power chords, and the lively beat drives the song to its end.

Showing music savvy, the following track, “I Will Possess Your Heart,” begins with a calm and steady four-minute lead-in to counter the smashing close of “Bixby.” Strong and clear piano chords are accompanied by distant guitar mutterings.

The vocals kick in with hard syncopation and lyrics that are frightening in their direct delivery, as Gibbard practically orders: “How I wish you could see the potential / the potential of you and me.” A more solemn statement follows this promise: “And I know that you’ll find love / I will possess your heart.”

In reassurance that Cutie is still sensitive and even sentimental, “No Sunlight” follows, which would be an emo track if not for Gibbard’s cheerful delivery of lines about gray clouds. Taken alone, the song would be too poppy, but the follow up, “Cath