Album Rating: 5.0

Love ya Bones

Album Rating: 4.5

If it’s any consolation Boxer is amazing, I also love Alligator mind. Can we at least accept this is different? Not hard to imagine someone preferring the last 2 records, surely?

Album Rating: 5.0

Nah man this album is flawless clearly

Album Rating: 4.5

Alligator is the best though, sorry guys, i know nobody likes being wrong.

Album Rating: 5.0

To be honest, Boxer sounds like Alligator sans the flaws to my ears



[2] I love Alligator but it is their least consistent overall for me. Like Doof said, it's a blueprint with some rough patches.

Album Rating: 5.0

This only continues to grow on me also. A 5 is not out of the question for sure.

Album Rating: 4.5

Alligator is a little more youthful & energetic, of course it still has the baritone melancholy in spades but I think Boxer took it further. Boxer probably is marginally more consistent than Alligator due to the added maturity & restraint, there’s not much in it though.



This has tracks I straight-up don’t care for however, bordering on boring at times.

Album Rating: 4.5

the blueprint-ishness is part of what makes it better than everything theyve done since. it hits that sweet spot between the refined and unrefined.

Album Rating: 5.0

this thread is balderdash

Album Rating: 5.0

this thread is tom foolery

Album Rating: 5.0

I will have no more negative words against this perfect album!

Album Rating: 4.5

boxer was the start of them losing their raw energy which was the best part of them

Album Rating: 4.5

I love this place sometimes, you offer up an explanation as to why something is ONLY a 7/10 (not exactly slating it) & the only responses are the equivalent of ‘you’re talking shit mate’

Album Rating: 5.0

'boxer was the start of them losing their raw energy which was the best part of them'



Yeah, they was just like the Stooges!



Nah, LEAST important element of The National for me, yikes

Album Rating: 5.0

I agree. I can dig raw National at times (Mr. November and Available would be in my top ten Nat tunes) but refining their formula was the best thing they could have done.

Album Rating: 5.0

For me what they refined on 'Boxer' is the whole basis of their appeal and the secret of their success - I like the idea people would go to a bunch of mid-to-late thirty somethings for 'raw energy' though, gives me hope :D

Album Rating: 5.0

All I know is that I'd happily get spitroasted by John Goodman and Dolf Lundgren for a chance to see them live just once.

Album Rating: 5.0

Just need to go wash my eyeballs Evok

Album Rating: 4.5

I disagree with it being the best part although the uptempo stuff doesn’t go amiss once in a while. This album is far too one paced, the balance on Boxer was perfect in that regard.

Album Rating: 5.0

The National have energy?