Album Rating: 2.5

;isnin 2 this now



not sure what I think of this band any more

Album Rating: 2.5

hmm this is weird. it's like....ambient. but drums. sort of feels formulaic to me tho, not "generic" as in hews to examples set by other musics but "formulaic" as in hews to the same formula for different songs. sort of like my beloved UFOF in that sense but I don't like it so much right now. will keep my ears open though. lotsa piano

Album Rating: 3.5

Wait how do you italicize. iS tHiS yOuR fIrSt FIRST FIRST NaTiONAL rEcord?



Although I love many parts of Trouble Will Find Me, it was definitely the beginning of this whole super sterile sound they've settled in. I'd kill for something that sounded closer to the holy trinity of A, B, and HV.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

:burp:

Album Rating: 2.5

thought "where is her head" was the standout

Album Rating: 4.0

I guess I just have a different interpretation of the lyrics then, given their use in the film I interpret the questions more as sort of an introspecitve existential discovery, so when Matt comes in with these love lyrics it seems really out of the blue. His "I will not come back the same" part fits thought. I can see where your interpretation comes from I guess. Fwiw I love every part of the song except that part where Matt comes in.

Album Rating: 4.2

I took "I hate loving you as much as I do" as Matt playing the parent at Eve Owen as the daughter as opposed to Matt's bit being a romantic-y intrusion on the song

Album Rating: 2.5

yo that part at 1:25 of roman holiday when matt goes 'put me in your MOOvie' and his voice drops like seven octaves makes me laugh every time

Album Rating: 3.5

It's definitely kinda goofy.

Album Rating: 3.5

I keep coming back to the title track, it does everything right. The lyrics are gut wrenching, the melodies dripping, and that fucking brass instrument near the end is fucking incredible.

Album Rating: 4.0

Can we get a roll call of ppl who still like this ? Agreed the t/t is a stunner

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Listening to their classic albums after this, it's obvious how outstanding and just strong all around the band sounded, and with Matt's contributions made for an amazing result. But with his vocal melodies and lyrics being more random and less prominent, alongside the Dessners clearly wanting to make weird experimental rock type soundscapes, they're pretty far gone now and sound like a different band. Would this be even less impressive without the guest vocals all over the place to compensate? My rating keeps dropping, but I can't bring myself to actually give a 3.5 or lower to a new National album. I still really like about seven of the songs so it's not like a trainwreck or anything.

Album Rating: 2.0

I feel the same way. On my last listen I was tempted to bump it down even further but then I genuinely love a lot of songs on the back half. And then there's Oblivions and Quiet Light. The 3.5 stays.

Album Rating: 3.5

It's a very different album for them, no doubt. They've spent a considerable amount of time and creative energy curating other albums, collaborations, tribute records, and festivals; it seems natural that they're taking a "curator" approach to their own albums now, featuring new songwriting approaches and incorporating guest musicians/vocalists. It seems like the most natural progression of their sound, all while retaining the most memorable components of their previous half dozen albums.

Album Rating: 3.7

Not in Kansas has annoying lyrics but Matt's voice is OHBOY

Album Rating: 1.0 | Sound Off

"all while retaining the most memorable components of their previous albums"



That's exactly what I think the album DOESN'T do... There's hardly any catchy hooks or memorable drumming/melodies. Most of the songs seem to plod along and lead nowhere. They guest vocalists' contributions are shallow and forgettable. For the first time ever, National songs are getting worse with time.

Album Rating: 3.0

this is probably better than Sleep Well Beast.

Album Rating: 3.0

Not in Kansas has annoying lyrics [2]

Album Rating: 3.0

"Would this be even less impressive without the guest vocals all over the place to compensate?"



no, the guest vocals were pretty pointless and oversaturated.

Never heard a song by this band before, but you gotta respect 52 pages in two weeks. That Sea of Love video is sweet.

Has anyone ever compared this to Interpol? he asked, innocently.