There are a good few 'return to form' albums this year that haven't made this list. Coldplay's and R.E.M.'s, to take two well known examples. The point being that while both were massive improvements, it was a little difficult to espouse their appeal without gauging it against the sheer dullness of their predecessors.
Death Cab For Cutie's last album was every bit as bad as X&Y or Around The Sun, but they've sidestepped the return to form thanks to the fact after Narrow Stairs it now feels like Plans never even happened and Narrow Stairs is just an effortlessly logical continuation from better times.
In fact, they've ever sounded more confident and comfortable in their own skin than now. Still as sincere and plangent as ever, the considered build up of newly dense songs keeps all of their emotional heft while adding a lot more to repeated listens. "I Will Possess Your Heart" is a particularly great choice of single, gradually issuing a welcome into their world as you follow the thread of its beats through echoing vistas.
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