Mixtapemotions

"Soul Meets Body" by Death Cab for Cutie, Monday, August 9, 2021

Ben Gibbard started performing in 1997 under the moniker Death Cab for Cutie, the name of a Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band song by the same name released in 1967 and featured in The Beatles’ film Magical Mystery Tour. When Gibbard signed a recording contract, he turned his solo act into a band. The band released albums on indie label Barsuk Records, garnering spots in films and television, which got the attention of Atlantic Records. Their major label debut, Plans, was released in 2005 and spawned three singles: “Soul Meets Body,” “Crooked Teeth,” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark.” Despite being on a major label, Death Cab for Cutie is a symbol of Indie Rock music. They consistently produce thought-provoking music and have many Grammy nominations under their belt. However, like most bands with die-hard fans, their older records often resonate best, whether it’s We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, Transatlanticism, or Plans–the nerdy boys and awful Christmas sweaters speak to times in fans lives that most mainstream radio failed to convey.


IF THE SILENCE TAKES YOU, THEN I HOPE IT TAKES YOU TOO. Listening to Plans, I always felt that it was an existential passage through the seasons of a year. Songs like “Crooked Teeth,” “Summer Skin,” and “Soul Meets Body” are beautiful, bright songs, but songs like “Brothers in a Hotel Bed,” “What Sarah Said,” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” frigidly remind listeners of mortality and the expiration of relationships. Speaking about the themes of the album, Gibbard stated: “One of my favorite kind of dark jokes is, ‘How do you make God laugh? You make a plan.’ Nobody ever makes a plan that they’re gonna go out and get hit by a car. A plan almost always has a happy ending. Essentially, every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time. I really like the idea of a plan not being seen as having definite outcomes, but more like little wishes.” The themes of this album spoke to the students in Allan’s circle at Mission College. Adventist Millennials were taught by Baby Boomers who had been taught by the Silent Generation. Somewhere along the way the Adventist message had shifted from “Don’t bother going to college. Don’t buy a house. Don’t build to last because Christ will return in 50 years time” to “Make plans, but draw them in pencil.” Many of the ideas shared were not a lot different from Dan Koch‘s four-part You Have Permission series on “End Time Anxiety” only with a rapture-less, full-tribulation, running to the hills time to look forward to. An argument played in Allan’s head as he looked at the bill for Mission College. One side was saying that in order to evangelize the world, you need worldly credentials. The counterargument was “Why gather the elements to a stable life when everything would ultimately be scattered?”


SO BROWN EYES, I’LL HOLD YOU NEAR ‘CAUSE YOU’RE THE ONLY SONG I WANT TO HEAR. “Here’s your fried cheese with a side of sour cream” James handed Allan his order. “Thanks. How’s your Cheesey fries with veggie hotdog?” “I think they switched suppliers. The hot dog is extra rubbery.” “What’s that you’ve got there?” River asked putting down her bite of veggie cheese burger. “Are you talking to the Korea language institute people?” “Yes, I thought I’d check them out.” “I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe see some of my relatives in Korea. You know my dad worked for them in college. That’s how he met my mom.” “Let’s go together then. How about you James?” “I don’t know about that,” River answered. “As much as I want to connect with my cousins, I hear it’s rough. They make you teach Sabbath school after working a ton of hours. If I’m teaching during the week, I’m certainly not teaching on Sabbath,” taking one of James’s fries, “Plus, I get really uneasy when I start thinking about these non-profits and how they run their books.” She swallowed and looked at Allan. “Gosh, our skin is looking bad. We probably should stop eating so much cheese.” “We probably should get off the meal plan,” James said. Looking at her watch, “Oh, it’s late. I’ve got an interview with a student senator in five, so I have to run.” River took her tray and placed it on the dirty counter alongside at least 15 other trays. “So, what do you think about Korea?” Josh asked James. “I actually was thinking about teaching in Taiwan for a year. They pay a little less, but a year of learning Mandarin would be a lot more valuable than a year of learning Korean.” “Taiwan is so hot, I’ve heard. I can’t function in the heat. At least Korea is a cooler environment.” Back in his dorm room, Allan put the brochure down. In a year and a half, he would have to start ironing out his plans. But the abstract notion of being a missionary, really living out God’s plan for his life, sat with him in his dorm room as he read his literature homework, as he wrote his history papers, as he stirred his Easy Mac, as he kept guard as his “fire hazard” coffee pot brewed. The mission’s soul was waiting to embody a willing vessel.