Aha very principled
Need to stop putting this off because my expectations are getting increasingly mixed and incoherent

Album Rating: 3.5

This is a perfect album for me from a musical standpoint. The only thing I'm waiting to see is if that requisite emotional connection develops to turn this into a 5.

Album Rating: 4.0

Glad you’re loving it Sowing. You feel about Boxer how I do this so I guess we’re even

Album Rating: 2.0

Boxer >

(all Natty btw)

Album Rating: 3.5

Boney, in response to a comment of yours on the previous page - Arcade Fire have fallen for me too, but Radiohead remain my favorite band of all time (agreed on The National remaining essential). Wilco have actually climbed up the ranks for me over the past year or so - they place 4th in my all-time artist scrobbles on last.fm; behind Lambchop, The Weakerthans, and Radiohead, and just barely ahead of Sparklehorse.



And that's with having only heard Being There through Sky Blue Sky :D

Album Rating: 4.5

this needs a trim but im pretty with it

Album Rating: 4.0

That’s fair Dyl, though as I recall you’ve only been on Wilco a few years right? Whereas for me they were a taste-formative band.

same rating as glen hansard? dammit boney

Album Rating: 4.0

Yep - I love a few tracks here but nothing actually “impresses” me. National albums are judged not by what makes them good but rather by what makes them less than perfect. Their scores are dragged down rather than built up. :-P

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

This looks like it’ll be their first with a less than 4 average since Sad Songs

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

That shade of green on the cover is very Laura Ashley



The most middle class colour I could ever imagine



Might paint the utility room...{cough cough}...pardon...my larder and pantry that colour. Duck egg?

Album Rating: 3.0

There’s plenty of good stuff here, but Christ with a little bit of tweaking it could have been a lot better.



T/t is great, but its impact is killed by the four monotonous songs that come before it.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

gots - that stretch is ridiculously monotonous agreed

Album Rating: 3.5

Pull Of You is an airball. Mushy production choice for vox on Where is Her Head is frustrating. Roman Holiday is a slog. Not in Kansas is a slog. I guess the rest is okay. But really the last four songs outshine everything else, imo.

Album Rating: 4.0

Uh-oh number 3: I’ve just revisited Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers... I’ve underrated it massively. Just bumped it to a 4.5. It’s incredible. Leagues ahead of this.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Blimey, it is good but a 4.5 is real high



What songs stood out for you/stood out to you more than before?

Album Rating: 4.0

...every single one

Alt-country Natty >>> fartbient pop Natty

Album Rating: 2.5

top tier are slipping husband, 90 mile water wall (how can your hair have the nerve to dance around like that?)

Album Rating: 4.0

In all seriousness though I only liked the Wife songs less than previously. “Sugar” is cool enough but kind of goofy, “Trophy” is a solid Yankee Hotel Foxtrot b-side. I totally forgot about “Fashion Coat”, I used to adore that one, was real nice to hear again.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

It's a high 3.5 for me, if tracks 8-11 lived up to the rest it would be a high 4, maybe 4.5 though



Damn, this album has caused a great stirring in the Boney Natty ratings