 | Tracklist:
1. Secret Meeting
2. Karen
3. Lit Up
4. Looking For Astronauts
5. Daughters Of The Soho Riots
6. Baby We'll Be Fine
7. Friend Of Mine
8. Val Jester
9. All The Wine
10. Abel
11. The Geese Of Beverly Road
12. City Middle
13. Mr. November
| Ranking: #45 for 2005 | |
| | other reviews | Adam Knott CONTRIBUTOR (5)
The very definition of understated, The National's 2005 masterpiece is melancholic indie-rock at its... | JAD (4.5)
The National's 2005 effort remains a truly special record.... | Philip Marlowe (4.5)
This is the National's breakthrough album, and I can understand why.... | lonelyspacepanda (3)
Half-way between post-punk lounge and typical 00s indie rock, Alligator is inseparable from its crea... |
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2 of 2 thought this review was well written
The National is: Matt Berninger (Vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitars, bass), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (guitar; bass), and Bryan Devendorf (drums)
“These guys just sound like Interpol." That’s what my friend said when I played this album for him. I was not exactly happy about this. Yes, Matt Berninger does sing with a Baritone voice, so the comparisons to Paul Banks are inevitable. But really, I do not think the comparison to Interpol is exactly accurate. There are Interpol aspects (sweet drumming, baritone voice, awesomeness), but I get move of a Wilco/Uncle Tupelo vibe from this Brooklyn-based (formerly Cincinnati-based) group. Not that it’s necessary for them to sound like someone else. They do their own thing quite well.
This is the groups third proper full length, with an EP thrown in somewhere in the middle. The only other one I am familiar with is their previous effort, “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers." The lyrics on ‘Sad Songs’ are top notch. Just look up “Cardinal Song" and you’ll see what I mean. But I think that this group has stepped up the music to go along with the lyrics on this new album.
The best reason for their musical improvement is that this cd is that it is centered more around drums than Sad Songs. Many of the best tracks are driven by their drummer, Bryan Devendorf, and the drums have definitely been brought forward in the mix. (Pitchfork’s review first brought this obvious difference to my attention). I find myself always air drumming along with this band, not my standard air guitar. Just check out one of my favorite tracks, “Mr. November" for some driving drums (and a phenomenal chorus that I find myself yelling along to multiple times daily. And I don’t even know what it’s about.)
The guitar hooks and everything else are right there as well. I much prefer their uptempo catchy songs to their ballad attempts. Sad Songs was loaded down with slowness, but this album has just the right mix. The single, Abel is fun, but not even one of my favorites. I recommend checking out Mr. November, Lit Up, City Middle, Karen, Daughters of the Soho Riots, and All The Wine (in roughly that order). And then check out the whole album, because it is delightful.
There are a few low points on the album for me (Val Jester in particular), but I think that this is The National’s best record to date, and I can’t imagine what they can do to top this in the future. One of the better albums released in 2005, they have successfully blended their talents for lyric writing with song writing and have come up with a beautiful, fun, and exciting album. A big thumbs up here!
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I've heard their Cherry Tree EP but not this, yet.
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Has anyone else heard this album yet?
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This is very nice music. Daughters Of The Soho Riots was the first National song I heard, on radio. It's such a beautiful song too and it's still my favourite out of this cd.
I also like Geese (great intro), Secret Meeting and Mr November quite a bit. I agree about the dull bits, too, like the start of Lit Up. The fingerpicking guitar style stands out in all the songs, it's not bad, I like how it sounds, but the repetition of the playing style could put some people off.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This was the best album released in 2005.
| | | Album Rating: 4
This is good stuff.
Digging: Do Make Say Think - Other Truths | | |
I'm listening to this right now. It's OK. It seems to be missing a certain something, but I can't quite put my finger on it yet.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I like this a lot.
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OK I changed my mind, this is ridiculously good.
| | | Album Rating: 4
This CD is really awesome, not really a bad track on it. I will be exploring more by these guys soon.
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Secret Meeting is such a good song. I need this really badly.
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all the wine=awesome
Digging: The Draft - In A Million Pieces
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
ill be getting this album soon since Boxer has become a popular album for meThis Message Edited On 08.19.07
Digging: Junius - The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist | | |
Mr. November beats all of Boxer.
Digging: Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Truth.
Boxer is just better than this though.
Digging: Beach House - Teen Dream | | | Album Rating: 4.5
WHY DIDNT I REALIZE HOW GOOD THIS IS BEFORE
this is so good
Digging: Converge - Axe To Fall | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Just starting to listen to The National and I enjoyed this a lot.
Digging: PJ Harvey - Dry | | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
city middle is their best song
Digging: The National - Alligator | | | Album Rating: 4.5
nope sorry :/
Apartment Story is pretty much the best... but there's so so so many great songs.
how bout Mr. November, Secret Meeting, maybe some Fake Empire, or Brainy.
Digging: Maths - Descent | | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
it's hardly the kind of debate anybody's going to win but in its place on this record it's pretty much the most euphoric thing EVER i played this record walking down montjuic on my own in barcelona and it made me feel borderline the most alive ive ever felt
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Mr. November is oarsum
Digging: Tom Waits - Bone Machine
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