Title and Registration
Encyclopedia
"Title and Registration" was the third single taken from Death Cab for Cutie
's 2003 album Transatlanticism
. It was officially released as an internet-only single that could be streamed through the band's website. Promo copies of the single were released on CD. "World Shut Your Mouth" was later released on the Crooked Teeth EP.
Live, the song's layered instrumentation has been difficult to pull off and thus has been performed a variety of ways. All of these involve Chris Walla
switching halfway through the song from lead guitar
to keyboards
, whilst Ben Gibbard takes over the guitar part. For the first half of the song, initially, both Gibbard and drummer Jason McGerr
used electronic drums in order to replicate the distinctive drum machine
sound in the song. In the band's 2008 tour, Gibbard performed the entire first two verses as lead vocalist, without a guitar or drums; before picking up his guitar as Walla abandoned his. Most recently, Gibbard has kept his electric guitar
strapped on for the song's entirety, but using a shaker
as percussion during the song's first two verses.
, consists of frontman Ben Gibbard
lying on an operating table while undergoing a "surgery
" (as done by the other band members) to receive a new heart. Although his head is on the table and he is singing, the surgery is done without anesthetics. During the surgery, it is shown that Gibbard's chest is simply paper, model organs, and a model rib cage
.
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
's 2003 album Transatlanticism
Transatlanticism
Transatlanticism is the fourth studio album by Death Cab for Cutie, released October 7, 2003 on Barsuk Records. Prior to the album's release, Ben Gibbard stated: "...unlike The Photo Album, I feel like this record is definitely more like a proper album...
. It was officially released as an internet-only single that could be streamed through the band's website. Promo copies of the single were released on CD. "World Shut Your Mouth" was later released on the Crooked Teeth EP.
Live, the song's layered instrumentation has been difficult to pull off and thus has been performed a variety of ways. All of these involve Chris Walla
Chris Walla
Christopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
switching halfway through the song from lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
to keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, whilst Ben Gibbard takes over the guitar part. For the first half of the song, initially, both Gibbard and drummer Jason McGerr
Jason McGerr
Jason McGerr is the current drummer for the band Death Cab for Cutie. McGerr was previously in Krusters Kronomid and Eureka Farm as well as the Seattle jazz trio Rockin' Teenage Combo. McGerr is an instructor at the Seattle Drum School when not playing drums for Death Cab for Cutie...
used electronic drums in order to replicate the distinctive drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
sound in the song. In the band's 2008 tour, Gibbard performed the entire first two verses as lead vocalist, without a guitar or drums; before picking up his guitar as Walla abandoned his. Most recently, Gibbard has kept his electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
strapped on for the song's entirety, but using a shaker
Shaker (percussion)
The word shaker describes a large number of percussive musical instruments used for creating rhythm in music.They are so called because the method of creating sound involves shaking them—moving them back and forth rather than striking them. Most may also be struck for a greater accent on certain...
as percussion during the song's first two verses.
Music video
The video, directed by Patrick DaughtersPatrick Daughters
Patrick Daughters is an American music video and commercial director currently signed to The Directors Bureau, after departing Black Dog Films in late 2006....
, consists of frontman Ben Gibbard
Ben Gibbard
Benjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
lying on an operating table while undergoing a "surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
" (as done by the other band members) to receive a new heart. Although his head is on the table and he is singing, the surgery is done without anesthetics. During the surgery, it is shown that Gibbard's chest is simply paper, model organs, and a model rib cage
Rib cage
The rib cage is an arrangement of bones in the thorax of animals. It is formed by the vertebral column, ribs and sternum and encloses the heart and lungs....
.
Track list
- "Title and Registration" (Album version)
- "World Shut Your Mouth" (Julian CopeJulian CopeJulian Cope is a British rock musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet and cultural commentator...
cover) - "Title and Registration" (Original version)