Album Rating: 3.0

No.

Album Rating: 5.0

This has been really all I've wanted to listen to since it's come out. Such a good album that just keeps getting better and better.

Album Rating: 4.0

dammit why is this band so incredible.

Album Rating: 4.5

This is the first National album i've ever heard and I really like it. Day I Die is so damn good. The drumming is powerful and reminiscent of the Smith's The Queen is Dead. The guitar melody sparsely used throughout the song is catchy as well. My second favorite song from this album is Empire Line. I'll realy have to check the rest of their catalogue.

Album Rating: 5.0

That you should grandbazaar - they really do no wrong. I'd recommend going from Alligator on, even though I do enjoy their first 2 albums as well.

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah Alligator, Boxer and High Violet are some the hardest 5's Ive ever given. They damn near make me wanna drop all my other 5s to 4.5s that trifecta is so good.

Album Rating: 5.0

Haha absolutely - I think this and Trouble Will Find Me are right on par with that trifecta

Album Rating: 4.4 | Sound Off

Pretty much, Boxer or HV is #1 imo

Album Rating: 4.5

Going backwards chronologically. Just got trouble will find me. I'll listen to it first chance I get.

Album Rating: 5.0

Saw the National tonight at Hammersmith. They covered Queen (I want to break free) and made it sound awesome. Probably the best gig I've seen. They were playing Apartment Story and I had this epiphany - that I'm still in love with my ex.

Album Rating: 4.4 | Sound Off

Yeah easily one of the best discographies of the 00s



So stoked to see them next Thursday.

Album Rating: 5.0

Where are you seeing them the US? Apparently they covered New Order in the Manchester gig which I would have loved to hear. They throw in a lot of slow songs especially from the new album which stills the mood. But it works because it isn't so immediate, they have to work to win over the crowd.

Album Rating: 3.0

saw em in 2010 at the peak



setlist was insanity



they played cardinal song and available



and like half of alligator



and like half of boxer



and like the best songs from hv for the most part

Album Rating: 5.0

They played mainly the new album, hardly any TWFY. Highlights were Bloodbuzz Ohio, I Need My Girl, Day I Die, Fake Empire, England, Terrible Love was awesome, Mr November and (can't believe I'm saying this} I Want To Break Fucking Free.

Album Rating: 4.4 | Sound Off

I’m seeing them in Boston. I’ll post the set list afterwards

they covered Heaven by Talking Heads too

Album Rating: 4.5

Great gig last night, not quite as perfect as when I caught them supporting 'Trouble' at Alexandra Palace due to the sound quality not being as good and the setlist not being as tight.

Album Rating: 2.5

5/5

Album Rating: 4.5

What they played ranked/rated.



1. The System [5] - really impressive live, just confirmed this is one of the tunes of the year.

2. England [5] - they played this pretty early and it got me a bit, not a tune I usually get too emotional over. Excellent rendition.

3. Turtleneck [5] - yes, that 'Turtleneck'. Had a feeling it would come into its own live. Poor inclusion on the album...but one that has a fighting chance of remaining on their setlist into the future. Don't kill me but...more fun than 'Abel' now.

4. Vanderlye [5] - another acoustic rendition as at the previous show I saw, the crowd sang the whole song. It's a classic finale.

5. Day I Die [5] - another song that makes more sense live, using two drummers brings it to life to such an extent similar songs like 'Swallow the Cap' pale in comparison.

6. Guilty Party [5] - the live version with the twin guitars at the end is a stunner. As you can see, the new material they're playing every night is leading the way as it's unsurprisingly tighter.

7. Secret Meeting [4.5] - surprise inclusion, this worked really well in the set.

8. Fake Empire [4.5] - it's Fake Empire, it's something you expect.

9. Mr November [4.5] - similarly, this was immense as always.

10. Lucky You [4.5] - guess for some a 4 maybe but I love this song and even though it was placed after two other slow songs (why?) it was the best of the three.

11. Walk it Back [4] - this worked well enough early in the set. Not an obvious live track but the guitar work (which is so different to the early National sound, you really notice in a live set) is cool.

12. Nobody Else [4] - worked well as a set opener leading into 'System'. Not sure it'll still be played much after this tour of course.

13. Don't Swallow the Cap [4] - really solid inclusion, would prob have preferred 'Humiliation' but I can see why they like to include this one.

14. Terrible Love [4] - a lot of openers in the set, this is all about that drumming and it rocked.

15. Wasp Nest [4] - strange inclusion maybe, but the twin finger picking guitar work at the end was beautiful stuff.

16. Bloodbuzz Ohio [4] - for some a highlight I'm sure, it's still a great song I just...I dunno, it feels a little flatter next to stuff like 'Day I Die' now. Still good.

Album Rating: 4.5

17. Carin [3.5] - It's a solid live ballad, again I prefer 'Slipped' but it hit the mark.

18. I've Got to break Free [3.5] - obviously a cover, in the encore, it was really great fun for a minute, then y'know, less fun...but Matt can really sing yo.

19. I Need My Girl [3.5] - it's not my favourite, the crowd like it enough, and they do that smashing the guitar into the floor thing (think it's this song).

20. Apartment Story [3] - makes it clear they have better songs now, esp for a live show. A bit like Radiohead playing the title track off 'The Bends' live I'd imagine. Blast from the past but...time has moved on.

21. Dark Side [2.5] - eh, even with the female backing vocalists coming out, this just didn't connect live. It's an album cut, there is no actual hook or really a song here. It's all nice tones (vocals, guitars) but it wafted straight out the room. Plus it was followed by...

22. Destroy You [2.5] - ...and this was marginally worse. The melodies are a real nothing and the way they entered the outro without the grand orchestration, just ramping those amps and stabbing at their guitars...it is so disjointed. I don't get this song at all and it died on its arse live. Which is bad because I was hoping seeing it performed live would make the song for me. Not a good song.

23. Sleep Well Beast [1.5] - well, this I love on the parent album but a live song it is not. They might as well have held up a 'toilet break' sign. People FLOODED to the exits and the song just sounded like a dog's breakfast up there. Enjoy this live while you can because it'll get dropped from their live set quick is my guess.



Overall a 9.5/10 show (the previous one was a 10). As before, a band who only played 2 of my favourite 10 songs by them ('Fake Empire', 'Vanderlyle' - they missed 'Sorrow', 'Slipped', 'Brainy', 'Humiliation', 'Lemonworld', 'Slow Show', 'Think You Can Wait' and 'Blank Slate') and yet I still enjoyed it this much overall. Not many bands you can say that about.