The National – Boxer
I know that Alligator was supposed to be The National’s big breakthrough album but I never bought it. I had a quick couple of listens, decided I wasn’t really all that grabbed, and moved on. You can’t buy everything, no matter how obsessed you are, there just isn’t enough time in the day or money in the piggy bank.
Listening to Boxer I was pretty much immediately onside because of the pre-release leak of the excellent Fake Empire. No matter how objective and pure you claim to be, it always helps to listen to an album for the first time when you’re in the right frame of mind.
If The Willard Grant Conspiracy were shuffled with the Jesus and Mary Chain, you might be dealt The National. They are deep, morose and dark, with layered textures of piano, guitar and horns building a sort of emotional atmosphere around the song that fits perfectly with the deep thick voice of lyricist and singer Matt Berninger.
The first reaction of one of my colleagues here at Proper Job was ‘Christ, that’s depressing’ until he heard a single song by itself on a playlist, and asked me who this excellent band were. This sums the album up nicely, I think. It may be a bit much all at once, at least the first time through. But as you listen more the glittering piano and hopeful horn sections drag a bit of optimism out of the music, and suddenly the morose atmospheres have a subtly uplifting quality to them that you never expected.
You can actually preview the entire thing on their MySpace page if you want to, but make sure you take the time to let it sink in, because it’s worth it. A really lovely, intimate album.
The National – Start a War
The National – Ada
Alligator is a glorious album. The National are a glorious band. The thing about Matt is that, none of his “melancholic” speak comes across as depressing, or with a sense of concede. Even his most self deprecating, remorseful lines have an optimistic, almost feel good feel to them. I always come away smiling. You just can’t help but be moved in a positive way.
I like your take on it actually. I love depressing music, and don’t find it depressing at all. There are very few of the world’s cynics and miserablists who aren’t hiding an inner optimism somewhere.
I like this album so much I will definitely be buying Alligator as soon as I get paid. Such good stuff.
You’re right. it is a great album. i’ve definitely warmed to this one quicker than Alligator.
Like Alligator a lot, but haven’t listened to this one yet. I don’t think “Fake Empire” grabbed me like it did a lot of others, and I was pretty underwhelmed by the set opening for Arcade Fire. It was fine, but didn’t get me all hot and bothered for the new record. I’ll get to it.
It’s amazing though, Rich, how differently you approach an album if you have no history with the group. I listened to Fake Empire in complete innocence, so my reaction was probably totally different to what it would have been had I been a big fan of Alligator.
Prob a lot of truth to that. I played the crap out of Alligator a while back. I’m sure that shapes my expectations considerably (of course).
Well I’ll be going the other way now. I liked this enough I feel I should definitely give Alligator another try.
Good post, feller! I’m only just tuning into the National, but Alligator has grown and grown on me. There are some really well written songs, the man has a great way with words.
Thanks for the tracks
Sweeny
http://partlyporpoise.blogspot.com/
dear mr. toad, i realize i’m a little slow on the uptake, as evidenced by my just now getting around to boxer, but i thought i should let you know that the songfile for ada appears to be empty. i’ve downloaded it twice just to be sure, but nothing plays. this is odd, of course, because when i click on it on your player, it does play. anyhoo, i just thought i’d let you know.
i’m really liking the album, btw. splendid indeed.
just found a website devoted to this release:
Here