Lyric discussion by oh no, disaster! 

Cover art for No Joy in Mudville lyrics by Death Cab for Cutie

i think this song might be about lou reed; about being inspired by him to move to new york and relive the era in which lou reed and his contemporaries lived. the lyrics hint towards lou reed more than anyone else, calling him the "king of a gloomy disposition." the line, "brownstone up three flights of stairs" is from the velvet underground song, "i'm waiting for the man." there is a measurable sadness in the song, both in the music and vocals. perhaps ben was disappointed in how it had turned out? i, often, long for the days of the beat-era and can relate to this song.