While it can generally be assumed that albums made up of discarded session material are either self-indulgent or full of songs that were purposefully abandoned, Death Cab for Cutie’s five-track EP The Open Door is an exception.

The album is comprised of songs that didn’t make it on their first album, Narrow Stairs, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Charts. However, the EP isn’t substandard, nor does it contain lesser musical masterpieces; instead, Death Cab explores undiscovered territory of the last release.

“When we finished Narrow Stairs, there were four extra songs that, because we were trying to put together an album, we ended up not including them,” said bassist Nick Harmer in an interview with MTV. “It’s not like they’re castoffs or anything; they’re part of the Narrow Stairs experience.”

The songs tend to have the same sound as those on Narrow Stairs but carry a little extra energy that would have made them seem out of place on the album.

The fourth track, “My Mirror Speaks,” embodies the essence of a Death Cab for Cutie song in every way, adventuring into the complexity seen in Plans and combining a unique sound with surreal and probing lyrics.

“Little Bribes,” a track Ben Gibbard began playing on his solo acoustic tour in 2007, is a dark and clever description of casino life. The final track, which could be the most exciting for die-hard Death Cab for Cutie fans, is the alternate version of Narrow Stairs track “Talking Bird,” featuring Ben Gibbard’s ukulele skills.

The EP, while not an amazing endeavor, will hold fans over until the next full-length album.

And unless you want to make the trek to Bellingham (April 22) or Spokane (April 24), your next chance to catch the indie-rock group will be their July 18 appearance at Marymoor Park with Ra Ra Riot and the New Pornographers. Be sure to attend at least one; Death Cab for Cutie always puts on a breathtaking show.

Reach reporter Nick Feldman at arts@dailyuw.com.