The National

[VinylGuy]

I haven't listened to the new album at all since giving it my first initial listens. I was so underwhelmed by those first couple times through that I've had zero desire to spin the album again. I've got a four hour drive ahead of me today so I am considering giving it another shot today.

I really like it. I havent been listening non stop, but every time i put it, its such a welcome surprise.

[PHATJ]

I haven't listened to the new album at all since giving it my first initial listens. I was so underwhelmed by those first couple times through that I've had zero desire to spin the album again. I've got a four hour drive ahead of me today so I am considering giving it another shot today.

I really like it. I havent been listening non stop, but every time i put it, its such a welcome surprise.

I listened to the album for a while today. Just select songs though. A few thoughts:

1. The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness - By far the catchiest song on the album and the easy choice as lead single. I really like this song but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other great singles/song from The National.

2. Carin at the Liquor Store - I loved this song on the first few listens, and I still like it, but I can very easily see myself getting tired of it after a modest amount of plays. It’s a beautiful song, but there just isn’t very much interesting stuff there to warrant a lot of replays. After only hearing it about 10 times since it was released it has already fallen in my esteem some.

3. Dark Side of the Gym - This song intrigues me more than any other on the album. I don’t feel like I’ve fully connected to it yet, but if I do it may become my favorite from the album.

4. Walk it Back, Born to Beg, Guilty Party - None of these did much for me at all.

5. Day I Die - Skipped it after a minute or so

Didn’t listen to the other songs today.

[chewm]

5. Day I Die - Skipped it after a minute or so

I find it surprising that a National fan would dislike this track.

[PHATJ]

5. Day I Die - Skipped it after a minute or so

I find it surprising that a National fan would dislike this track.

I just listened to the whole song to make sure I wasn’t missing something. I don’t know, man. It’s just kind of boring and repetitive. I don’t hate it but nothing about it excites me.

[chewm]

I can get that I guess, but it has every element for it to be a great National song for me. Brian's percussion, one of Matt's more memorable recent melodies for me (the verses mostly, the chorus probably wouldn't work in other contexts but I dig it), and the guitar sound is sick, I love it.

[digster]

I still feel like this one may be second only to Boxer, or more likely neck and neck with Alligator. Their last five records are so comparable in (high) quality that I don't really feel like I can rank them, but this record has this connecting thread throughout that few of their records have had before.

That being said, while I like that their studio records are more thoughtful and mannered than the crazy live shows, there's always one track I wish was closer to how they do it live, and that's the title track here. It's good on the album, but it's a highlight when I've seen live versions.

[VinylGuy]

5. Day I Die - Skipped it after a minute or so

I find it surprising that a National fan would dislike this track.

its one of my favorites, but the one i adore is Nobody Else Will Be There.

[Chris_H_2]

5. Day I Die - Skipped it after a minute or so

I find it surprising that a National fan would dislike this track.

its one of my favorites, but the one i adore is Nobody Else Will Be There.

It's a subway day

[ridleybradout]

I still feel like this one may be second only to Boxer, or more likely neck and neck with Alligator. Their last five records are so comparable in (high) quality that I don't really feel like I can rank them, but this record has this connecting thread throughout that few of their records have had before.

That being said, while I like that their studio records are more thoughtful and mannered than the crazy live shows, there's always one track I wish was closer to how they do it live, and that's the title track here. It's good on the album, but it's a highlight when I've seen live versions.

I think the studio version of Turtleneck captures their live energy pretty well

[PHATJ]

I’ve been listening to the new album A LOT over the last few days in an attempt to get familiar with every song. And I have to say that I am coming around on it some. I still don’t think that this one will catch up to the last four albums but it is better than I was giving it credit for. And Dark Side of the Gym is a great song. It may not be on the same level as my favorites from previous albums, but it is very, very good.

[digster]

Apparently, they played Boxer in full at their show tonight.

[PHATJ]

Apparently, they played Boxer in full at their show tonight.

Seriously?! Fuck me in the brain. I’d probably stroke out if they did that with me in the audience.

[ridleybradout]

Apparently, they played Boxer in full at their show tonight.

Very cool.

The National are a band I find so hard pick a favourite album or song for - while nothing they've done compares to my favourite bands (e.g. Pearl Jam, Radiohead), they're just so consistently good.

At the moment it's High Violet and Afraid of Everyone.

[PHATJ]

I can’t choose one album or song either. Alligator, Boxer, High Violet, and Trouble could all be number one. And Sad Songs is freaking great too. Humiliation might be my favorite song... maybe.

[Chris_H_2]

my favorites have changed a million times. right now i'm on a high violet kick. strangely, i've really been into little faith.

my rankings for this new one have changed too:

system only dreams
nobody else will be there
empire line
i'll still destroy you
day i die
turtleneck
dark side of the gym
walk it back (soooo much better live)
sleep well beast
guilty party
caren at the liquor store
born to beg

[chewm]

Not hard to find a best album, Boxer is head and shoulders above the rest.

[chewm]

I get the sentiment though, they have great albums and are very consistent.

[PHATJ]

Not hard to find a best album, Boxer is head and shoulders above the rest.

I get that this is probably the correct choice but I can’t make a definitive choice between four albums. Whichever one I’m listening to I’m convinced is the best.

[PHATJ]

I can’t choose one album or song either. Alligator, Boxer, High Violet, and Trouble could all be number one. And Sad Songs is freaking great too. Humiliation might be my favorite song... maybe.

I listened to a bunch of Alligator and Boxer today. Just these two albums produce seven songs that could vy for my favorite National song of any moment.

Lit Up
Abel
The Geese of Beverly Road
Mr. November
Slow Show
Apartment Story
Guest Room

And most of the other albums have just as many. I love this band so much.

[chewm]

I think if I did a list of all time favorite National songs, it would rely heavily on Boxer and Alligator.

Apartment Story is their best one, I think.