Album Rating: 4.0

this is easily tied for their most accessible with high violet

Album Rating: 4.5

I see 'Boxer' as their most accessible

Album Rating: 4.5

In the rock genre an easy way to check for accessibility is to work out how high a proportion of the music is instrumental.



This album has the most instrumental music on any National album by quite a margin I'd expect so that would hint to me it's going to be less accessible.

Album Rating: 3.0

By your own logic basically everything that isn't top 40 is challenging

Album Rating: 3.0

That's not because it's challenging, mate. Unless you mean it challenges your patience, and never rewards it. The instrumental bits are pretty bland

Album Rating: 3.0

hm i think u like just boring shit doof



yea vanderlyle is just not a good song for me idk man. all the songs on alligator r better



but tbh dark side of the gym from this is like way better than anything I thought Id get from this album. undoubtedly the best

Album Rating: 3.0

Me and starless seem to have a lot in common

The electronics here aren't very good. The beat on "Guilty Party" is cheesy/dated, like a leftover from In Rainbows or Age of Adz. Add syncopated rhythms to dad rock and everyone praises it as "boundary-pushing" and "risky," even comparing it to Kid A lol. Underneath the glitz the songwriting just isn't up to par, melodies are stale and it's hard to latch onto anything in these joyless tracks. (If I wrote a 3 review)

Album Rating: 4.5

I mean if a band's aiming for accessibility you don't add 90 second instrumental codas or stuff like that.



I don't know how challenging people were expecting a National album to be? Quite a few people here don't seem to be 'getting this' so I'd think that would hint it's a little challenging :/



I'm impressed by the album anyway.

Album Rating: 4.0

@lucid Are you quoting someone?...because it doesnt sound like you should have a 4 on this.

"Quite a few people here don't seem to be 'getting this' so I'd think that would hint it's a little challenging"
They're saying it's devoid of joy with unmemorable songwriting... which I actually agree with (despite my rating idk).

Album Rating: 3.5

"Quite a few people here don't seem to be 'getting this' so I'd think that would hint it's a little challenging :/"



or maybe they just don't like it as much?¿

Album Rating: 4.0

Well of course its devoid of joy. They havent had anything joyous since Alligator.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

this is easily tied for their most accessible with high violet

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

this may not be pointedly pop-level accessible, but it's not exactly hard to penetrate..

Album Rating: 4.5

I love the entire record except for Turtleneck. Not my jam.

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, this is the most accessible. I could see Adele singing over Carin.

Album Rating: 5.0

I disagree with this being accessible - I think Trouble Will Find Me is much more accessible. This rules, btw. I love them so much.

Album Rating: 3.0

The national in general is pretty accessible. If we were talking a ten point scale all the records would fall within a point or two of each other

This album is "dream-like" in that it's a dream where all you do is walk down a dark hallway endlessly and forget it all once you wake up