At the center of every album is a musical thesis. Death Cab for Cutie's "Something About Airplanes" serves as a somber introduction to a band that would come to define the indie rock movement of the late 90's. Listening to it now, 18 years after its release, it makes apparent its place in popular music by pushing back against the dominant culture. It calls on us to question everything we know, see, and love happening around us. For those of us who often feel uncomfortable in our own skin and the way society reacts to the "next big thing," it demands that we keep moving forward. It also serves as a reminder that we are not alone in this world and that there are people just like us. Flash forward 18 years, we find ourselves still rallying around this band for the same reason. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan