The National: Sunshine on My B&Ck

[Dalton]

I've been listening to the live rip of the NPR show last night. I'm loving the album so far, but I may actually like the live versions better. That' be a change for me with The National. I typically prefer their studio work.

[Dalton]

And I too get a little punchy with the vodka just like my uncle Valentine Jester did.

[gump]

After a shitty day at work, I was on my way home in the subway and get a text from my wife saying that they are playing in our local Apple Store. There were conflicting messages on whether you could still get in or needed tickets. I head there and it's quiet outside, with maybe 100-150 people inside around the band. Managed to hear the final 3 songs they played (in what was I think a 40 minute set). I love the low key events they managed to put together for their album releases. Also: I love this band. They sounded so fucking awesome. Guilty Party has an incredible crescendo live - already a favorite of mine.

[cobl04]

that's awesome man

[iron yuppie]

Originally Posted by gump

After a shitty day at work, I was on my way home in the subway and get a text from my wife saying that they are playing in our local Apple Store. There were conflicting messages on whether you could still get in or needed tickets. I head there and it's quiet outside, with maybe 100-150 people inside around the band. Managed to hear the final 3 songs they played (in what was I think a 40 minute set). I love the low key events they managed to put together for their album releases. Also: I love this band. They sounded so fucking awesome. Guilty Party has an incredible crescendo live - already a favorite of mine.

Wow. Awesome that you managed to get in there.

[Dalton]

That's awesome.

[Dalton]

And since I know it's been weighing on everyone's mind, I wanted to let everyone know that I got my digital download to work.

[Joey788]

Originally Posted by gump

I was there too! I managed to RSVP ahead of time and was near the front left, like 7 feet in front of them. It was an unreal experience, getting to see the band so up close, watching them play. They did six songs from Sleep Well Beast. Unforgettable.

Now I've gone from that to seeing Filthy Friends in Gowanus.

[Joey788]

One of my photos:

[gump]

Originally Posted by Joey788

I was there too! I managed to RSVP ahead of time and was near the front left, like 7 feet in front of them. It was an unreal experience, getting to see the band so up close, watching them play. They did six songs from Sleep Well Beast. Unforgettable.

Now I've gone from that to seeing Filthy Friends in Gowanus.

Awesome - I wish I had found out earlier, though it would have been difficult to leave work.

It's an incredible experience to see them so close, especially now that they play large venues. I once saw them a tiny club in Europe back in the Boxer tour and was first row leaning against the stage, and it remains my favorite concert experience.

[intedomine]

Originally Posted by gump

After a shitty day at work, I was on my way home in the subway and get a text from my wife saying that they are playing in our local Apple Store. There were conflicting messages on whether you could still get in or needed tickets. I head there and it's quiet outside, with maybe 100-150 people inside around the band. Managed to hear the final 3 songs they played (in what was I think a 40 minute set). I love the low key events they managed to put together for their album releases. Also: I love this band. They sounded so fucking awesome. Guilty Party has an incredible crescendo live - already a favorite of mine.

What a cool experience, to just rock up to your local and The Nash are casually smashing out a few tunes

Looking forward to release day tomorrow. System Only Dreams.. still my favourite so far.

[Dalton]

Dark Side of the Gym is surprisingly sexy.

[elevated_u2_fan]

I'm not enjoying this as much as Trouble Will Find Me, its good and several tracks I really like (Nobody Else Will Be There is so far my favourite) it doesn't have anything that is really jumping out so far like I should Live In Salt or Humiliation.

[cobl04]

fuck!!! I forgot it's out!!!

[LemonMelon]

It's an album of moments for me. Intros, outros, bridges that are wonderful or surprising, even if the whole song isn't an all-timer. Empire Line is super interesting, but it really takes off at the end thanks to Bryan, who is the MVP of this album. I'll Still Destroy You is aces throughout but the outro is one of my favorite National moments of all time. The guitar solo for The System takes a really good song and makes it a fantastic one. The production is also gorgeous, super crisp and loaded with fresh textures for the band. This is a way, way better sounding album than the last two. For the first time since Boxer, the studio doesn't sound like it's an obstacle for them. They're actually using it to their benefit.

And how about Turtleneck? That's the nastiest rocker they've made since Sad Songs.

Only song I really don't feel anything towards right now is Walk It Back, which is intriguing but never finds a melody I care about. Very strange track and you can really hear a Radiohead influence on that one.

[iron yuppie]

I'm cautiously going to say this is their best album, despite being their least immediate aside from the debut. It's beautiful and devastating in ways only this band could accomplish.

[david]

Listening via Apple Music. Going to the record store tomorrow. Also going to be broke. Damn, so many good albums have been released these past few weeks.

[cobl04]

omg only an 8.0 from pitchfork. fuck them i will never read the site again

[LemonMelon]

It's fucking amazing that a rock band 15-20 years old is still racking up 8s from them with every release, especially with the levels of popularity they've achieved.

They turned on Animal Collective long ago.

[iron yuppie]

Originally Posted by cobl04

omg only an 8.0 from pitchfork. fuck them i will never read the site again

The review reads a lot higher than that. Really not a single criticism in there.