Death Cab for Cutie Taking Cues From Brian Eno on Experimental New Album

Death Cab for Cutie have worked hard to avoid formulas on their nearly finished follow-up to 2008's 'Narrow Stairs.' The new album, which is now expected next spring, finds the Ben Gibbard-fronted foursome embracing string sections and unorthodox arrangements while taking cues from Brian Eno's 'Another Green World.'

"[It's] a testament to where we are as a band," Gibbard told Spin of his band's adventurous new project, which is being produced by guitarist Chris Walla. "It's not a guitar-based record. We've been into vintage keyboards and playing with that palette. We're not adding guitars because people will be expecting them ... I'm so proud of this album that at this point I don't care if people don't like it."

Unlike 'Narrow Stairs,' which was guitar-centric and recorded live in the studio, the untitled new effort finds the band returning to the "construction project" approach of 2005's 'Plans.' Tracks like string-bolstered 'Codes and Keys,' 'Monday Morning' and the largely instrumental 'Unobstructed Views' are just some of the titles.

Death Cab have also done away with the dark themes that populated 'Narrow Stairs.' "It's a really dark record," Gibbard conceded. "I didn't want to make that record again. I didn't want to write those songs again."

While Gibbard promised Death Cab will tour behind the album, the trek won't be extensive, as he wants to keep the creative juices following. "I would love to find myself making a record a year from now rather than moving into our seventh straight month of tour," he said.