Former Lives

Last updated
Former Lives
Benjamin Gibbard Former Lives cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 16, 2012 (2012-10-16)
Genre Pop, rock
Length36:42
Label Barsuk
Producer Aaron Espinoza; Ben Gibbard
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 70/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk 89% [2]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
American Songwriter Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Earbuddy(6.5/10) [5]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [6]
LA Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
PopMatters 6/10 [8]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Sputnikmusic3.5/5 [10]
Under the Radar 7/10 [11]

Former Lives is the debut solo album by Death Cab for Cutie lead singer Ben Gibbard. It was released in October 2012 under Barsuk Records.

Contents

Many of the album's tracks feature Gibbard playing all instruments by himself. Aaron Espinoza is credited as producer for all tracks except 1, 5, 10, 11, and 12. Other guest musicians include Jon Wurster, Mark Spencer, Aimee Mann, and Zooey Deschanel.

Track list

All songs written by Ben Gibbard, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Shepherd's Bush Lullaby" 0:50
2."Dream Song" 3:33
3."Teardrop Windows" 2:47
4."Bigger Than Love" 4:47
5."Lily" 2:00
6."Something's Rattling (Cowpoke)" 3:51
7."Duncan, Where Have You Gone?" 3:46
8."Oh, Woe" 2:50
9."A Hard One to Know" 2:40
10."Lady Adelaide"Gibbard, Stan Jones 3:33
11."Broken Yolk in Western Sky" 3:32
12."I'm Building a Fire" 2:33

Charts

Chart (2012)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [12] 34
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [13] 7
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [14] 8
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [15] 11

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References

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  2. Robson, Gregory (2012-10-17). "Benjamin Gibbard - Former Lives". AbsolutePunk . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  3. Thomas, Fred. "Former Lives - Ben Gibbard". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  4. Beviglia, Jim (2012-10-13). "Ben Gibbard: Former Lives". American Songwriter . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  5. Krenn, Nick (2012-10-18). "Benjamin Gibbard - Former Lives Review". Earbuddy. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
  6. Rahman, Ray (2012-10-19). "Former Lives review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  7. Brown, August (2012-10-16). "Ben Gibbard's 'Former Lives' a haunting solo debut". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  8. Bloom, David (2012-10-17). "Album Review". PopMatters . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  9. Catucci, Nick (2012-10-16). "Album review". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  10. Tan, Irving (Dec 7, 2012). "Album Review - Benjamin Gibbard: Former Lives". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  11. Cleeve, Sam (2012-10-12). "Ben Gibbard: Former Lives". Under the Radar . Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  12. "Benjamin Gibbard Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  13. "Benjamin Gibbard Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  14. "Benjamin Gibbard Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  15. "Benjamin Gibbard Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2019.