| | Full Review | Ratings (1012) |
Give your Rating |
| 5.0 classic | theBonerKing | May 11th 17 |
"There's also a pond right outside the studio that just constantly gets wildlife - bullfrogs and turtles and herons and ducks landing on it. It's hard to be a dick when you look out the window and there's this tranquil pond."r--Matt Berninger
17 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.0 poor | Xenophanes EMERITUS | September 8th 17 |
Stunning. Jaw to the floor. Absolutely in awe of how fucking boring this band is. If I had known that a beard and a
baritone could make so many guys this wet then I probably would have had a more interesting college
experience.
12 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | zakalwe | July 1st 17 |
"There's also a pond right outside the studio that just constantly gets wildlife - bullfrogs and turtles and herons and ducks
landing on it. It's hard to be a dick when you look out the window and there's this tranquil pond."r--Matt Berninger
What a fucking berk.
9 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | robin | September 3rd 17 |
never in my life have i heard a song as bad as turtleneck
7 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | BrushedRed | May 14th 17 |
I want to enjoy summer but I also wanna listen to this album. Why is life so hard?
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | FlipTrackz | September 19th 17 |
2016 me: Yo the National is so overrated
2017 me: I CANT EXPLAAAAAAAAAAAIN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANY OTHEEEEEER, ANY OTHEEEEER
WAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | BigHans | August 23rd 17 |
The National made Sleep Well Beast at Long Pond, and you can see the studio on the album cover, a black pyramid set against a gray sky with the band visible inside of a square window. Ultimately, I ended up talking to 80 percent of The National, drummer Bryan Devendorf was already in the pond, opting to spend a muggy July day swimming rather than doing an interview. r** Sounds like Devendorf is kind of a dick
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | mortifierftw | September 11th 17 |
This is better than TWFM fite me irl
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | DadEsquire | May 15th 19 |
i listened to this album 5 or 6 times and i can't remember any of the songs from it.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Lucman | December 5th 17 |
After months of listening it dawned on me that Sleep Well Beast may just be The National's second rbest album, sitting comfortably below Trouble Will Find Me. May even make the second slot on my ryear-end list.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | JesusCage | November 27th 17 |
And they did it again, another classic. I was afraid they might turn down a notch quality wise this time, or just make the same album again (which wouldn't be too bad), but they managed to maintain their level while adding something new in the mix.. well done sirs.r(5)
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.4 superb | Benjamin Kuettel EMERITUS | September 3rd 17 |
A masterful departure from recent predecessors, The National enter a new era of their sound with further musical experimentation. Some moments recall Alligator, others Radiohead even. Everything falls into place masterfully, being the best album of the year. "The System Dreams...," "Guilty Party," "I Will Destroy You," and the final two tracks are highlights.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Faraudo | June 30th 17 |
I'm not the kind of person who rates albums before they release, but this is already a 5 in my book.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | Gene Gol-Jonsson CONTRIBUTOR | September 18th 23 |
Proving once and for all that the National are only good, when their album cover is dark.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | Introu1 | May 17th 21 |
Its long, the song arent bad, they're jsut average, and the majority of them are really forgetful, at least not turtleneck or The system only... Its sound a bit like if The Strokes got depressed and decided to make an album. Anyway its not bad for an album and i really see why people could enjoy this, but its not my cup of tea.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | charlopiano | March 13th 21 |
I had only listened to Boxer before this one and I loved it. And it baffled me how I loved Sleep Well Beast even more. The adding of electronic elements added a whole new dimension to their song. I'll Still Destroy You Someday is such a master piece. Holy fuck
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | olisz | December 12th 19 |
Great and much needed stylistic change for The National. This album feels different due to a slightly more electronic sound. This sound is mostly cohesive through the album and has a great recognition value. The songs feature good songwriting and also often catchy lyrics, like the repeating theme "I'll still destroy you", which can be probably interpreted in many different ways. Some tracks in the middle of the tracklisting don't impress me too much, but there is plenty other satisfying material on here. For example "The system only dreams in total darkness" is a highlight, expecially when played live. This track also serves as an example of the superb production on this record.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Malcontent | August 16th 19 |
With the exception of a handful of standouts such as "Day I Die", "Empire Line", and "Nobody Else Will Be There" this album does not stick with the listener the same as prior records. The electronic elements don't noticeably improve or change their sound, and the songwriting, while solid, lacks the stunning ennui of prior records.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | GoldenGuy444 | October 8th 18 |
A dark depressing brooding effort by the critically acclaimed group. Some highlights include the sharp "Turtleneck" , the depressing "Nobody Else Will Be There", and the hard hitting "The System Dreams in Total Darkness"
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Christopher Y. | May 2nd 18 |
So powerful, so ambitious, so dark, so somber, so beautiful, so sad, so good that even the Grammys loved it.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | bmelt CONTRIBUTOR | December 31st 17 |
'sleep well' indeed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZ
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | TheSupernatural | December 14th 17 |
Can't help but feel like this is a slight misstep. The National needed to play around with their sound, but Sleep Well Beast feels like a transition rather than a completion. The songs with more electronic elements don't grab me at all, but there's still a few classic tracks on here that make it worthwhile listen regardless.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | Divaman | October 20th 17 |
These guys bore me to tears. They need a shot of adrenaline or something. Or at least a strong cup
of coffee.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Monheim | October 5th 17 |
Thank god this is better than "Trouble Will Find Me"
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | notkanyewest | September 13th 17 |
I'm just finishing up my first month of law school, and this is probably going to be of my 3 or so favorite albums to be released this year. I'm well on my way to being a miserable middle aged white guy! ("Nobody Else Will Be There", literally the whole run of "I'll Still Destroy You" through the end)
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | 3waycrash | September 9th 17 |
The National have always played music about the sort of "everyday" man. It has proved to be successful over the course of a number of albums, but eventually something had to change in their sound to keep things from being stale. Sleep Well Beast is a refresher that revitalizes and also pushes The National forward. Things are still essentially the same (in a good way), but there's just enough new to mix in to keep things fresh. From the pristine production to the more electronic textures, it feels like the logical next step for the band, but also like it could compare to some of their best material. Thematically the album deals with the usual topics to be found on a National album, done in the way they do it best: ever so subtle. "It feels like we're in this period where there's a tendency to just want to hibernate when things get really weird. It's an escape to try to sleep through it, but the beast for me isn't a negative thing: it's the future. We've all got kids, and when I see all of our kids? They've got a challenge ahead of them, but I feel positive about the future." This sentiment can be felt especially with the numerous current predicaments faced in the modern day world. Sleep Well Beast is about the tendency to want to sleep or disconnect ourselves when the unthinkable happens, but to choose now, despite those feelings, to be awake. This is just as relevant today more than ever. With Sleep Well Beast, The National continue their string of fantastic albums and continue to prove to be one of the most important modern bands being as classy as ever.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Daryl the Beryl | September 8th 17 |
Pitchfork didn't, but I'm labelling this Best New Music. AOTY for me.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | butcherboy | September 3rd 17 |
a lot of swirling ambience coats up some pretty uninspired songwriting in places.. but these guys on autopilot are still fucking stellar, and Carin at the Liquor Store destroys my heart..
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | sempiturtle | September 3rd 17 |
This is the fourth AOTY contender in the past six weeks. It may be this band's most emotionally
resonant album yet; somehow they've done it again.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | doofy | January 7th 24 |
| 3.5 great | btrfs | November 8th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Swoon92 | October 4th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | konsmake | September 21st 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | alamo | June 22nd 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Smevin | January 19th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | Timmy | January 12th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | dayks11 | October 30th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Boreque | August 31st 22 |
| 4.5 superb | Oatus | May 18th 22 |
| 3.0 good | luetin | April 27th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | po0ty | March 6th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | sncold | February 10th 22 |
| 5.0 classic | cbohlen | November 16th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | aroge | November 1st 21 |
| 5.0 classic | Quill | October 30th 21 |
| 3.5 great | BoerK | October 17th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jerrad | August 16th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Juuso | February 7th 21 |
| 3.5 great | Vaka | January 26th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shamzus | December 9th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | gaujrc | October 24th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | zebbya | September 14th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | Sowing STAFF | May 10th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sly4evr | February 29th 20 |
| 2.5 average | FatCats | January 1st 20 |
| 4.5 superb | cruzz17 | October 29th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | xgausez | October 28th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Zeuzo | October 20th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Miguee7 | October 15th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Slowdiiv | September 24th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Simon K. STAFF | September 21st 19 |
| 3.0 good | Kiran EMERITUS | August 6th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Host78 | July 21st 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | ian b | July 18th 19 |
| 3.5 great | JNeu | July 1st 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Vaio | June 29th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Evenoss | June 16th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | iGuter | June 11th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Hawks | May 23rd 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Wilrus | May 22nd 19 |
| 2.5 average | fog CONTRIBUTOR | May 21st 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Wyder | May 17th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | kleggi | April 9th 19 |
| 2.5 average | Ryus | April 7th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | daxsic | April 3rd 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | ellinho | March 22nd 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Josh | March 17th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pipolaye | February 19th 19 |
| 3.5 great | Prole | February 13th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Erwann S. STAFF | January 20th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | GabBlack | December 31st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Mathias STAFF | December 20th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | vidence | December 11th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Raqinq | November 27th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Bojack4 | November 27th 18 |
| 3.0 good | iglu | November 20th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | MAN0 | November 18th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | jkoh | November 15th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | vivapo | October 17th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Akifexx | October 16th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zeiu | October 8th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Alexxx | September 29th 18 |
| 3.0 good | dunnope | September 21st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | roofi | September 15th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Luisito | September 12th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Juca89 | September 6th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | ipood | September 6th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | bokeh | August 27th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | FelkFg | August 6th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | c0ffee | August 2nd 18 |
| 4.5 superb | AAHN | July 19th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | Yeet | July 17th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | P0nto | July 11th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | JanK | July 5th 18 |
| 3.0 good | ARTV | June 23rd 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Brad | June 11th 18 |
| 3.5 great | ProfC | June 11th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Stkyle | May 28th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Nero | May 25th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | NathC4 | May 22nd 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | aew100 | April 18th 18 |
| 3.0 good | Sam C. | April 13th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | TiduCR | April 8th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Arokan | March 17th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hvunted | March 9th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Crawl | March 8th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | betray | March 5th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hobbes42 | February 16th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Inveigh | February 12th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | boab92 | February 4th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Cifirni | February 1st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | benkim | January 30th 18 |
| 3.0 good | pengui | January 28th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | cb123 | January 27th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Rail | January 21st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | A.R.O. STAFF | January 15th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Arctick | January 13th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Risodo | January 12th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Henry | January 12th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Skoj | January 10th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | heck | January 5th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rowdy | January 3rd 18 |
| 3.0 good | adr | January 1st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | ian b. | January 1st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Fear | January 1st 18 |
| 4.5 superb | P0laris | December 30th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ikano2 | December 28th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ikano1 | December 28th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ikano | December 28th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kubrick7 | December 27th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Ben STAFF | December 26th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gadalia | December 25th 17 |
| 3.5 great | furpa | December 24th 17 |
| 2.5 average | BoJean | December 23rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | swipenet | December 21st 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ledgy | December 12th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | mxbrady | December 8th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Rdv | December 3rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | xevman | November 25th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Essence | November 21st 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zecke | November 16th 17 |
| 3.0 good | J | November 14th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | doqtor | November 12th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | NoSons | November 9th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Collis | November 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ellagos | November 8th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | tdiu | November 3rd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | FakeOne | November 3rd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Tyll | October 30th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | BHAR | October 30th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Bazman | October 28th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | mrend55 | October 28th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pangea | October 26th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Medici | October 25th 17 |
| 3.5 great | emmny | October 22nd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | vai90 | October 21st 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Triple6 | October 19th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Zois | October 15th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | ciregno | October 14th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | rigooz | October 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | progsun | October 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | kral | October 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | DarinRG | October 7th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Jan555 | October 6th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Xerian | October 6th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mojito | October 4th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Chongy | October 3rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ACVPV | October 2nd 17 |
| 3.0 good | unkle | October 1st 17 |
| 4.5 superb | elioto | October 1st 17 |
| 3.5 great | sevhar | September 27th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | matteok | September 27th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ckssr1 | September 27th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | oahmed | September 26th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | L0rdSnow | September 25th 17 |
| 3.5 great | shivboy | September 23rd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Amry | September 21st 17 |
| 4.5 superb | maciej | September 20th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Respawn | September 20th 17 |
| 3.5 great | tom79 | September 19th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Fugue | September 19th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Xhoven | September 19th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Faint7 | September 19th 17 |
| 3.0 good | bharry | September 19th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Veldin | September 19th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Corney | September 19th 17 |
| 3.5 great | SeiGor | September 17th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | rooby | September 17th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bokonon | September 16th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | kafsnjor | September 15th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jekub | September 15th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Albus | September 14th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | JS19 | September 14th 17 |
| 3.5 great | qwe3 | September 14th 17 |
| 3.5 great | wojodta | September 13th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | 808muzik | September 13th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rmazer | September 13th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | stevep | September 13th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Ecotone | September 13th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sunnyvale STAFF | September 12th 17 |
| 3.5 great | John L | September 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | DJD | September 12th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Strills | September 12th 17 |
| 3.3 great | Rudy K. EMERITUS | September 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Cormano | September 12th 17 |
| 3.5 great | jtswope | September 12th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Runeii | September 12th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ton_ey | September 12th 17 |
| 3.5 great | blocka | September 12th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | mallen- | September 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | gilly | September 11th 17 |
| 3.0 good | mikep87 | September 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Outtou | September 11th 17 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | September 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | JWT155 | September 11th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Dan H. EMERITUS | September 11th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | anat CONTRIBUTOR | September 10th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Piglet | September 10th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Lassie | September 10th 17 |
| 2.5 average | aiioli | September 10th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | plato66 | September 10th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Honza | September 10th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tom R. CONTRIBUTOR | September 10th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ripquill | September 10th 17 |
| 3.5 great | willzor | September 10th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ruddo | September 10th 17 |
| 3.5 great | jesper STAFF | September 9th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Diddy K | September 9th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | cm7com | September 9th 17 |
| 3.5 great | foxxxy | September 9th 17 |
| 3.0 good | papudo | September 9th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | N2B3J | September 9th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Brandon | September 9th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Stringer | September 9th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Greem | September 9th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | jimbo | September 9th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Adam | September 9th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | PaabL | September 8th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Lakes | September 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | RobotE | September 8th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | John C. | September 8th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | wg98 | September 8th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | fdrc | September 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | daBomb88 | September 8th 17 |
| 3.0 good | wwf | September 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Surette | September 8th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | TwigTW | September 8th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Hyndez | September 8th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mr Snrub | September 8th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Gueero | September 8th 17 |
| 2.5 average | Maniac! | September 7th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | TBH717 | September 7th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Nrap | September 7th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Trebor. EMERITUS | September 6th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | SB129 | September 6th 17 |
| 3.5 great | Clegane | September 5th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | ranur | September 5th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | zxlkho | September 5th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Jade | September 4th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Juanpa | September 3rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | rliu | September 3rd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | ti0n | September 3rd 17 |
| 5.0 classic | kn2985 | September 3rd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | YayoG1 | September 1st 17 |
| 5.0 classic | bSmith | May 19th 17 |
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