Chris Walla: Field Manual

It seems natural that Chris Walla would make a

fine solo disc: He's Ben Gibbard's sonic wingman in Death Cab For Cutie, and

he's branched out as an excellent producer, too, giving quirky touches to Tegan

And Sara's The Con,

among plenty of other discs. Not surprisingly, Walla's first solo set, Field

Manual,

is masterfully produced, and glossed over with same thick indie-pop sheen

that's greased up every Death Cab release. The problem: Walla isn't that strong

a songwriter. Nothing on Field Manual is noticeably bad, but it's never ridiculously

exciting, either. Songs such as "Geometry &c;" and "Sing Again" sound like

Death Cab's cutting-room floor, culled perhaps because of sub-par hooks. Add

Walla to the list of producers who should stay producers: Field Manual sounds great, but it

isn't always worth listening to.