We had forgotten not all Death Cab for Cutie songs are thisclose to being emo. Our association of the band's music with melancholy proved to be a misnomer. Kicking off the show with an upbeat choice from their new album, Narrow Stairs, Ben Gibbard and the band seemed hell bent on reminding concert-goers that sensitive lyrics do not necessarily lead to a lack of energy. By the second song—the epic "New Year" from Transatlanticism—the entire crowd was on its feet, singing along and punching the air with each blast of the bass drum. The unfurling of the Pollack-esque (we know that's a stretch) album cover whipped everyone into a frenzy.

They are also spanning the continuum of Generation Next to Baby Boomers. We thought we'd be elbow to elbow with teenagers, but instead we were elbow to elbow with teenagers and their parents. No f-bombs from the band, just driving music accompanied by Ben Gibbard's two-step dance/guitar playing, which we think should be trademarked.

It is easy to forget that this band is mature. And loud. Oh so loud. While it may have risen to popularity after that drug-infested sing along on Six Feet Under a few years ago, Death Cab is not new to this. The albums are so listenable, and yet the live show added a bombastic energy that was both pleasant and surprising. The pace was such that when songs like "I Will Follow You into the Dark" were played in dim lights and acoustically, it was a welcome break.

It was well worth being eaten alive by the Mann's monster mosquitoes on that balmy night last week.

Image Credit: Flickr user forklift