The National

[PhilsFan]

The best thing about Bloodbuzz is that the drums are cranked way up. The National knows when something is working for them.

The drums is ALWAYS workin' for The National. Bryan Devendorf is a goddamned genius.

Mistaken for Strangers is incredibly unique and not pretentious in any way. One of the best beats in a song I've heard.

 

[Imperor]

Devendorf is easily my favorite contemporary drummer, followed by Glenn Kotche.

 

[PhilsFan]

I'd put Darren King ahead of Kotche, but Devendorf is the top of the class.

 

[onebloodonelife]

The best thing about Bloodbuzz is that the drums are cranked way up. The National knows when something is working for them.

This. Those fucking crashing cymbals building up into a crescendo are just stunning.

 

[mikal]

ok, a couple questions since i'm still a little late to getting into this band:

- how are their first two albums (S/T and Sad Songs)? it seems like everyone talks about Alligator and Boxer, but i barely hear mention of these two.

- can someone point me in the direction of a good live recording....i'd prefer after Boxer came out?

Thanks!

 

[Imperor]

Sad Songs is a wonderful album and has more than a handful of songs I'd put up there with their very best. "Sugar Wife" may be the only weak song on it. Some days, I like it more than Alligator. Honest engine. The debut is more raw sounding than what you're used to, but there are a lot of diamonds in the rough if you try to get into it. If you don't instantly fall in love with "American Mary," I can't help you. I'm a big fan of both. Criminally underrated stuff considering most people focus on the last two albums and a lot of their fans probably haven't even heard them.

A good post-Boxer live recording would be the White Sessions from Radio France. Easily findable on Google, although the only non-Boxer tune is "About Today." There are also two different Black Sessions floating around, one for Alligator and the other for Sad Songs + Cherry Tree. Gotta catch em all.

 

[No spoken words]

Ditto on the love for Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers.

 

[Jive Turkey]

x3

YouTube - The National - It Never Happened & Thirsty

 

[iron yuppie]

Sad Songs is a wonderful album and has more than a handful of songs I'd put up there with their very best.

My roommate, upon hearing me listen to Boxer a few months ago, insisted that I hear Sad Songs, claiming it to be the band's finest album. I must say that I agree with that assessment. I think that it is more consistent than Alligator and more intimate than Boxer.

 

[onebloodonelife]

Numero cuatro (or cinco, seeing as iron yuppie jumped in there right before me) on the Sad Songs bandwagon. I'm a sucker for Matt's screaming, and Sad Songs has plenty of it. Plus, "Lucky You" is one of the most beautiful songs the band's ever recorded.

Impy's right, those White Sessions and Black Sessions recordings are fantastic. Soundboard quality, if I'm not mistaken, or very close to it.

 

[mikal]

awesome. thanks for the advice all. i'm just going to pick up all of The National's stuff, including EP's. i found the White and Black sessions on What.

thanks again guys. can't wait for the new album.

 

[PhilsFan]

The live version of Squalor Victoria is about five times better than the album version, so the White Sessions are worth it just for that.

 

[Lancemc]

I greatly look forward to this new album and LCD's battling to dominate my soul in May.

 

[Jive Turkey]

I liked Bloodbuzz Ohio on first listen, but now I love it. Its a good sign that their music still has that quality about it. Cant wait to hear the whole thing

 

[u2popmofo]

i'm just going to pick up

I'm doubting "pick up" is the correct phrase to use for what you're going to do.

90 Mile Water Wall > everything on Boxer

 

[PhilsFan]

I'm doubting "pick up" is the correct phrase to use for what you're going to do.

90 Mile Water Wall > everything on Boxer

I love 90 Mile Water Wall, but that's an exaggeration.

As I recall, you're not a big fan of Boxer, though.

 

[u2popmofo]

I like Boxer far more than I used to, but I still think it's barely a step above the debut. It's no exaggeration to me, it's one of my favorite tracks they've done. I agree with Imps on American Mary as well, it's great.

 

[mikal]

The live version of Squalor Victoria is about five times better than the album version, so the White Sessions are worth it just for that.

yep. agreed. the intro is much better.

 

[PhilsFan]

yep. agreed. the intro is much better.

I was talking about the outro, actually.

 

[mikal]

ah. well i guess that makes two reasons then.

 

[u2popmofo]

What about the middletro?

 

[No spoken words]

 

[Jive Turkey]

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

 

[No spoken words]

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

 

[powerhour24]

The use of horns in the texture elevates Boxer over much of their earlier material, even if the lyrics aren't quite as good as Alligator.

 

[No spoken words]

I think Cilantro is the winner, frankly.

 

[u2popmofo]

It's also delicious!

 

[No spoken words]

Like Alligator Meat the album!