Death Cab for Cutie [ tickets ] is never going to be your average alterna-giant. The group's lead singer sounds soft, their songs are all about insecure relationships and awkward growth, and the guys in the band look like they work at a bookstore. No wonder DCFC was the house band for "The OC."

The quartet's previous album, "Transatlanticism," had distorted guitars and epic songs. "Plans" is different--and not just because it is the group's major label debut. Here, DCFC get a bit softer, turning to piano, acoustic guitars and more sedate rhythms and rhymes.

For every inspired track, like the 6-minute-long "What Sarah Said," there's one that's just as uninspired--the weak-kneed "Someday You'll Be Loved," for example. "Summer Skin" is classic Death Cab--a languid look at summer love and innocence lost. But then there's "Crooked Teeth," ragged, banal pop with no payoff or hook. "Plans" also includes the group's most heartwarming tune so far, the slight "I Will Follow You Into the Dark."

Not their best album, "Plans," sees DCFC wobbling toward the big time. In that respect, at least they're maturing like your average "OC"-watching teen.