Funny, I like Something About Airplanes and We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes best. I hadn't heard The Photo Album yet when Transatlanticism came out, and I found that one quite a bit boring. I eventually went back to The Photo Album and liked it better, but still prefer the other two. Plans was not bad (more enjoyable than Transatlanticism for me) but a bit too pedestrian, and I haven't heard Narrow Stairs just because my interest in them has been low since 03.
BUT...for someone who's only heard Narrow Stairs your advice seems sound. The early stuff is a different sound.