This page is about the band; for the letter service, see mail.

The Postal Service is an indie rock electropop band featuring singer Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Figurine. Several songs on their first LP, Give Up, feature guest vocals from Jenny Lewis, the lead singer of Rilo Kiley, a band which was once on the same label as Death Cab (Barsuk Records) and vocals from Jen Wood , an indie rock solo artist. Chris Walla is also in the band playing guitar, drums, and keyboard.

Overview

The way in which the group combines mechanical backing tracks with poppy hooks is somewhat reminiscent of 1980s new wave music. The group formed after Gibbard contributed vocals for a song on Dntel's album Life is Full of Possibilities called "(This Is) The Dream Of Evan And Chan." This song sparked an EP of remixes by other artists, such as Lali Puna , Safety Scissors , Barbara Morgenstern and Superpritcher , and was so well received that the two artists decided that further collaboration was in order.

Their name comes from the manner in which their songs were written, due to the fact that the two of them lived too far away to be able to work together in person. Tamborello would create beats and mail them to singer and lyricist Gibbard, who would then edit them and put his melodies and lyrics over the tracks and mail them back.

Despite the fact that their main bands are still active, The Postal Service has supported their full-length album Give Up with a successful concert tour and has stated intentions to tour more in the future. The album's most notable single was "Such Great Heights" that has been featured in various television commericals and movie trailers. The album also recently became the most successful album for the Sub Pop label since Nirvana's debut album Bleach. [1]

In 2004, the United States Postal Service sent the band a cease and desist letter citing their trademark on the phrase "postal service". After negotiations, the USPS relented, allowing the band use of the trademark in exchange for promotional efforts on behalf of the USPS and a performance at their annual National Executive Conference. [2]

Discography

Such Great Heights

• released 23 January, 2003 (UK)

1. "Such Great Heights" (4:27)
2. "There's Never Enough Time" (3:33)
3. "We Will Become Silhouettes [Cover by ]" (3:01)
4. "Such Great Heights [Cover by ]" (4:10)

Give Up

• released February 18, 2003

1. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" - 4:44
2. "Such Great Heights" - 4:26
3. "Sleeping In" - 4:21
4. "Nothing Better" - 3:46
5. "Recycled Air" - 4:29
6. "Clark Gable" - 4:54
7. "We Will Become Silhouettes" - 5:00
8. "This Place Is a Prison" - 3:54
9. "Brand New Colony" - 4:12
10. "Natural Anthem" - 5:07

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

• released July 8, 2003

1. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight "
2. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Remix by DJ Downfall )"
3. "Such Great Heights (Remix by John Tejada )"
4. "Suddenly Everything Has Changed (The Flaming Lips cover)"

Against All Odds - Single

• released 1 September, 2004 (UK)

1. "Against All Odds" (3:50)

Give Up (Vinyl)

• released November 9, 2004

• LP1: Give Up
  1. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"
  2. "Such Great Heights"
  3. "Sleeping In"
  4. "Nothing Better"
  5. "Recycled Air"
  6. "Clark Gable"
  7. "We Will Become Silhouettes"
  8. "This Place Is A Prison"
  9. "Brand New Colony"
  10. "Natural Anthem"

• LP2: B Sides
  1. "There's Never Enough Time"
  2. "We Will Become Silhouettes (Performed by The Shins)"
  3. "Such Great Heights (performed by Iron & Wine)"
  4. "Suddenly Everything Has Changed (The Flaming Lips cover)"
  5. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (DJ Downfall Persistent Beat Mix)"
  6. "Such Great Heights (John Tejada Remix)"

We Will Become Silhouettes

• released 21 February, 2005 (UK)

1. "We Will Become Silhouettes" (4:59)
2. "Be Still My Heart" (3:02)
3. "Nothing Better [Styrofoam Remix]" (3:31)
4. "We Will Become Silhouettes [ Matthew Dear 's Not Scared Mix]" (5:02)

External link

• The Postal Service - The official The Postal Service band website