The Postal Service - "We Will Become Silhouettes"

The Postal Service
“We Will Become Silhouettes” Single
Sub Pop Records
Grade: A-

In the barren times while we wait for the next-to-be-dazzling record from the Postal Service, we can sink our teeth into this single release. Since the 2003 release of their debut Give Up, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel) have run the gambit from simple long distance side project to some notice to the hottest artist of the year. This recognition includes the U.S. Postal Service going after them for their name and then making a deal where the Postal Service can keep the name and the USPS will be able to use their songs in commercials – this all probably makes the USPS the coolest government agency ever. As Gibbard does his time with Death Cab and Tamborello does production jobs and the like, they have provided this four-song single. It seems that Gibbard and Tamborello have also officially co-opted everyone’s favorite indie chanteuse Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley for action in Postal Service endeavors to come. Lewis plays a significant vocal role in the original “We Will Become Silhouettes” on Give Up, but she also provides vocals to the new song “Be Still My Heart.” The noteworthy thing about “We Will Become Silhouettes” track is that there is also a mellowed-out, minimalist mix of it here by Matthew Dear. The new song “Be Still My Heart” is absolutely hot with blips, keys and various percussions leading the march. Though not as outstanding as “Such Great Heights,” it will be the next thing spoken of to vast extents. This single also includes a drop-dead sweet remix of “Nothing Better” by Styrofoam – one of the highlights off of Give Up. Styrofoam includes immense distorted electronics to bolster the sound past a simple pop number. If you aren’t down on actually buying a single, you should at least try to track down “Be Still My Heart” and the “Nothing Better” remix off someplace like iTunes to satisfy your Postal Service craves until the next full-length.