Special Delivery
I can remember when the Postal Service was actually one of Jeremy’s finds, back in 2001 or 2002. Before Garden State, before the commercial licensing, before Death Cab For Cutie played Saturday Night Live. Before Iron & Wine’s version of “Such Great Heights” appeared in an M&M’s commercial.But even over-exposed acts can surprise you.
Their single/EP for “We Will Become Silhouettes” was rounded out by filler remixes, but the lone original, unreleased track is three minutes of sheer bliss. The irreplaceably gorgeous Ben Gibbard vocal melody takes centre stage in the chorus, while Jimmy Tamborello’s now-familiar (and almost cutesy) programming gives the song an odd propulsion through what sounds like synthesized hand-claps and a churning, muddy, roiling bass that washes through the background. The story is a typical Hollywood “meet cute” scenario, but Gibbard sells it (a very nice, flawless female backing vocal helps).
I’ve probably listened to this song at least a hundred times and it’s still my favourite Postal Service track ever. Simple, direct, and beautiful.
The Postal Service is supposed to put a new record out some day, but until then:
iTunes: digital files for a digital band
Sub Pop web-store: t-shirts, posters, and — oh yeah — music
