Album Rating: 5.0

i think they're drivel, don't rlly get anything out of their music expect high violet is pretty good. but i do not understand how boxer gets any positive opinions at all.

Album Rating: 5.0

oh yeah no fuck that shit, whenever sputgrandpas are like ah yes the national is like a fine wine, it id better as time passes... when you get older, u will understand...... my skin shivers.

you rly dont have to be old to appreciate the national.

Album Rating: 4.5

i connected with alligator pretty hard and i'm not even an adult yet...

alligator is my jam yeah

i mean as far as the albums I've heard from them

Alligator = a somewhat young rejuvenated band with ideas of nostalgia;this is when youth starts fading

Boxer = old dreary and very aged

like Boxer conceptually seems like the perfect sequel to Alligator. Try Alligator if you don't like Boxer.

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah Alligator and Boxer are both pretty focused on youth - albeit dissolving youth, but youth nonetheless. High Violet and TWFM are a bit more "adult" but you definitely don't need to be old to appreciate them.

Album Rating: 5.0

ALA if you think Boxer is "old dreary and very aged" just wait till you hear High Violet and TWFM lol

@Boney

Instrumentally Boxer is actually really exciting and at times even faster than Alligator, but Alligator felt like a band with fleeting youth that still clung onto it hard at times(Geese, Mr.November, Karen, etc). Boxer peaks my interest because atmospherically and lyrically it's like "this is it, we've finally gone old". It's almost like Alligator was written by a 28 year old and Boxer was written by a 35 year old. But i know the lead singer was much older than that.

Album Rating: 5.0

i just want to understand why people like boxer even a little

"i just want to understand why people like boxer even a little"

I can see what you're getting at because I DO have a few legit problems with the National but

Fake Empire

Mistaken for Strangers

Green Gloves

Slow Show

Start A War

Racing Like A Pro


^that's why I like Boxer(but it's pretty close to a 3 not gonna lie)

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm sticking with The National cos I can't keep up with all the kids 5'ing Arcade Fire albums

Album Rating: 2.5

because it captures melancholy in a beautiful way.. we can all relate..



and i agree with alchemist, it was their first proper step towards becoming the band they are..

Album Rating: 5.0

that's the thing, i'd probably like it a little if i didnt have the high expections i do but when everyone and their dog gives it and their entire discography a 5, i can't help but be underwhelmed because i cannot find the inherent appeal to the thing.

like I don't know how you can dislike Boxer as a whole with the piano of Fake Empire or the alligator(that's how i'd describe it) guitar riff of Mistaken for Strangers

I get disliking some of the Nationals stuff but a whole album? IDK they seem pretty good so far. Still have to get to their last two and sad songs eventually.

Album Rating: 5.0

To my ears Boxer very much comes from the perspective of someone around 25 years old, entering the adult world and realizing that his youth is over. Alligator is more like someone around age 20, knowing his youth will fizzle away soon and trying desperately to cling onto it. HV and TWFM are more like someone 35+ trying to cope with the burdens of adulthood but having recovered from their lost youth.

Album Rating: 2.5

to be fair, none of their records are a 5 realistically.. they've had an incredibly solid run though.. high violet is as close as they've come to a timeless record, but a lot of it has to do with the audience they cater to.. over-saddened existential white guys buy a lot of records..

idk Boney I'm 16 so to me it seems like Youth doesn't start fading till 28

well ... i'm beyond my years in a few ways but you get the point

I suppose you're more right with the age descriptions

Album Rating: 4.5

The sad fact is Arcade Fire are one of those bands who peaked early and I doubt they're coming back - The National have just been relentlessly perfect over the same period.

Why are we even talking about this lol

I just think that the National isn't exclusive to geezers is all