930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Chulahoma on May 16, 2007, 04:11:00 pm
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is anyone else addicted to this band?? I've been listening to the Alligator album nonstop the past few days, and I recently received an advanced copy of their cd, Boxer, which is solid.
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The Arcade Fire show was the first I'd ever heard them, and I thought they were great.
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I first heard of the National when I went to the MusicNow Festival in Cinci in April (Sufjan, My Brightest Diamond, Amiina). It was curated by one of the guys in the National. I got hold of Boxer and can't stop listening to it. Best 2007 release I've heard this year. Got tix for their June show at the club.
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They are average to good. I have one of their old albums. I listened to their new album on their myspace page. My wife said it sounded like generic 90's rock. I can't say that I really disagree. How do they differ from that which the Tindersticks or American Music Club have already done?
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Markie, Lulu, and Pollard turned me on to the National when they did an opening slot for ??? at the club a few years back. I didn't know anything about them and was a little freaked when I noticed that one of the guitarists looked just like the drummer and the other guitarist looked just like the bass player.
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Their headlining show at the Black Cat in March 2006 was excellent. I've already got my ticket to their upcoming 9:30 Club show and am looking forward to it! I've heard mostly raves about Boxer, but I haven't heard it myself yet.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Markie, Lulu, and Pollard turned me on to the National when they did an opening slot for ??? at the club a few years back.
Wasn't it for The Tyde? But wasn't it at the Velvet Lounge?
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Markie, Lulu, and Pollard turned me on to the National when they did an opening slot for ??? at the club a few years back.
Wasn't it for The Tyde? But wasn't it at the Velvet Lounge? [/b]
Thanks to the magic of the interweb, I've determined it was with Weird War and the Walkmen.
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Wasn't it for The Tyde? But wasn't it at the Velvet Lounge?
I cant remember who played with the Tyde at the velvet lounge, but I dont think it was The National. The only opener I have ever heard for the first time and liked at Velvet Lounge was The High Strung opening for Brian Jonestown. I actually think I first heard of The National several years ago when Rhett hyped them on here, and now he says they aren't that great. Oh well.
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I saw them at the same show, and my only reaction was to ask econo "Are these dudes British?" They carried themselves like some Britpop wannabes.
That being said, I haven't heard a full album, but I'll be damned if "Fake Empire" isn't a great song.
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Thanks to the magic of the interweb, I've determined it was with Weird War and the Walkmen.
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Wasn't me that hyped the National. I don't think I heard them until they were talked up on this board, and I only got one of their albums a couple of years ago.
Were you at the Velvet Lounge show where Arlo opened for Rilo Kiley? I know econo, markie, and lulu were there. I think there were maybe a dozen people at that show, and I probably knew ten of them. Two guys from Arlo got in a fight/wrestling match midset, and we (celeste and I) ended up leaving before Rilo Kiley came on.
Originally posted by pdx pollard:
Originally posted by Jaguar:
Wasn't it for The Tyde? But wasn't it at the Velvet Lounge?
I cant remember who played with the Tyde at the velvet lounge, but I dont think it was The National. The only opener I have ever heard for the first time and liked at Velvet Lounge was The High Strung opening for Brian Jonestown. I actually think I first heard of The National several years ago when Rhett hyped them on here, and now he says they aren't that great. Oh well. [/b]
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Wasn't me that hyped the National. I don't think I heard them until they were talked up on this board, and I only got one of their albums a couple of years ago.
Were you at the Velvet Lounge show where Arlo opened for Rilo Kiley? I know econo, markie, and lulu were there. I think there were maybe a dozen people at that show, and I probably knew ten of them. Two guys from Arlo got in a fight/wrestling match midset, and we (celeste and I) ended up leaving before Rilo Kiley came on.
I am almost certain it was, I think you had heard them on KEXP, and not from the album. You may have forgot, but I liked the description so looked for the album in cd exchange for a while after that. Didnt actually hear them until after Markie and Lulu saw them by chance in New York and bought the album. If only there was a search feature, although the thread may not exist anymore.
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I have no idea why their new album has gotten very good to excellent reviews. This is such an underwhelming record. In other words, this ain't no Alligator...
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Originally posted by wanderlust aka joe marshmallow:
I have no idea why their new album has gotten very good to excellent reviews. This is such an underwhelming record. In other words, this ain't no Funeral...
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it could be another alligator. alligator wasn't alligator the first few plays.
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Originally posted by yinzer:
it could be another alligator. alligator wasn't alligator the first few plays.
Very true. But, someone mentioned in another thread that Boxer lacks the moments of emotional outbursts (Lit Up and Abel are my two favorites from Alligator). Boxer is still solid though, and Apartment Story is especially great.
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Btw, The National has sold out five consecutive shows at Bowery. It's amazing that they still haven't sold out 930.
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i dunno if they sold out black cat the last two go rounds. if they did, i think it was the night of the show.
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I'm really excited for this show..Alligator is fantastic and Boxer is quite good and steadily growing on me...i better get my tickets this weekend...
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Is that what Pitchfork told you?
Originally posted by yinzer:
it could be another alligator. alligator wasn't alligator the first few plays.
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uh - i fucking loathe pitchfork in every way. i call it "clapyourhandsandpooponthemfork" for their fellating of that shite band's piece of dogshit. dogshit. but i digress.
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truth be told though those fuckwads do pretty much state exactly that (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/43053-boxer). i see where your heinous accusation derives from.
reminds me of the story of a blind squirrel finding a nut. them, not me, of course.
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Originally posted by wanderlust aka joe marshmallow:
I have no idea why their new album has gotten very good to excellent reviews. This is such an underwhelming record. In other words, this ain't no Alligator...
crazy talk - report back in a month
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So how do you guys think Boxer differs from pretty much anything the Tindersticks ever put out?
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
So how do you guys think Boxer differs from pretty much anything the Tindersticks ever put out?
1) Tindersticks have A female vocalist. No girls allowed in the National (main band.)
2) Tindersticks = very spare. National = very lush & full
3) National = better singer. Tindersticks = Leonard Cohen lite
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On which album? Not on any that I have. They do one duet with the singer from the Walkabouts, and a second duet on a separate album with Isabella Rosselini, but that's all the female vox I know of.
Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
So how do you guys think Boxer differs from pretty much anything the Tindersticks ever put out?
1) Tindersticks have A female vocalist. No girls allowed in the National (main band.)
[/b]
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That's accurate - duets. For example: I really like the TS song: Sometimes It Hurts.
I can't recall a female singer with such a prominent role in any National song.
Minor difference - but a difference still
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Travelling Light?
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
On which album? Not on any that I have. They do one duet with the singer from the Walkabouts, and a second duet on a separate album with Isabella Rosselini, but that's all the female vox I know of.
Originally posted by The Artist Formerly Known As grotty:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
So how do you guys think Boxer differs from pretty much anything the Tindersticks ever put out?
1) Tindersticks have A female vocalist. No girls allowed in the National (main band.)
[/b]
[/b]
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I saw them at this show as well, at the prodding of Markie, Lulu and Pollard. I enjoyed them, but have since enjoyed their solo Black Cat gigs much more... I'm definitely planning on the show next month. [Haven't heard "Boxer" yet.]
Originally posted by nkotb:
I saw them at the same show, and my only reaction was to ask econo "Are these dudes British?" They carried themselves like some Britpop wannabes.
That being said, I haven't heard a full album, but I'll be damned if "Fake Empire" isn't a great song.
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Thanks to the magic of the interweb, I've determined it was with Weird War and the Walkmen.
[/b]
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Boxer is good, but not as memorable as Alligator.
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Glad to see this show sold out!
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Why?
Originally posted by ChampionshipVinyl:
Glad to see this show sold out!
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It appears to say that there is some enthusiasm for a show by a band that I like and that can result in a better concert experience. While everyone might not share my opinion about the band in question, maybe my second point will resonate if applies to an act they enjoy.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Why?
some bands put on a better performance when they have strong crowd energy to feed off. small (i.e. quieter) crowd = chances of meh performance higher. i've never seen the national performa so i don't know if this applies to them.
i remember seeing a band at the 930 on a sunday night (can't remember which one) that spent the entire performance talking about how the previous night's show in NYC was amazing, the crowd was off the hook, etc. sucked.
aside: growing up, i saw The National (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_national) almost every night!
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3b/The_national_1982.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Pissed I'm not going, as this one falls on a Wednesday night. How the hell do you guys work and go to shows too? Never seen the band but want to. Please....provide reviews of the 9:30 show.
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Originally posted by PigIron:
Pissed I'm not going, as this one falls on a Wednesday night. How the hell do you guys work and go to shows too? Never seen the band but want to. Please....provide reviews of the 9:30 show.
living a 10-minute walk away from the club helps - means i can be in bed by midnight, if the Scheduling Gods are kind. even if they aren't, i can deal with one or two nights of unsufficient sleep. not drinking a lot definitely helps too, and generally not going all-out as i might for friday or saturday show (sticking around after the show, meeting up with friends, etc).
i usually try posting a review, and will make a special effort for you this time :)
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[/QUOTE]living a 10-minute walk away from the club helps - means i can be in bed by midnight, if the Scheduling Gods are kind. even if they aren't, i can deal with one or two nights of unsufficient sleep. not drinking a lot definitely helps too, and generally not going all-out as i might for friday or saturday show (sticking around after the show, meeting up with friends, etc).
i usually try posting a review, and will make a special effort for you this time :) [/QB][/QUOTE]
A lot of that makes sense. Sincerely, thank you.
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the only time ive listened the national was when i saw them open for arcade fire at constitution hall. all i could think of when i was watching them was: the national = coldplay.
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please explain. I don't see any similarities.
Originally posted by bigyellow100:
all i could think of when i was watching them was: the national = coldplay.
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Originally posted by wanderlust aka j. marshmallow:
please explain. I don't see any similarities.
Originally posted by bigyellow100:
all i could think of when i was watching them was: the national = coldplay.
[/b]
Agreed, I don't see an exact comparison either.
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i don't normally do this (i swear), but does anyone have an extra for this show? wasn't planning on going but just found out a friend is going and decided to see if i can find an extra ... gracias!
<img src="http://www.electricedge.com/greymatter/images2/miracle.jpg" alt=" - " />
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shite, just realized i couldn't make it ... PLEASE STOP THE TORRENTS OF EMAILS TRYING TO GIVE AWAY YOUR TICKET, I CAN'T RESPOND TO ALL 300 OF YOU!!!
:)
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so, has anyone heard/seen the openers, Shapes and Sizes, and Talkdemonic? worth arriving early? i'll try finding their myspaces later tonight...
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Tomorrow's show is going to be on NPR btw:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/43728-the-national-to-rock-npr-tomorrow (http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/43728-the-national-to-rock-npr-tomorrow)
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talkdemonic (http://www.myspace.com/talkdemonicmusicmaking) seem quite promising. electroacoutic trip-hop, live drummer and violist, interesting arrangments. i'll try to catch them, if my schedule allows.
shapes and sizes (http://www.myspace.com/shapesandsizes), are a) from montreal, b) quite "indie" with a punk aesthetic, and c) kinda grating IMO. i am willing to bet, however, that they are better live than their myspace tracks lead me to believe. maybe a good opportunity to run over to BEN'S CHILI BOWL.
given a choice, i'd have S&S first (and skip them) and have talkdemonic second... but in terms of energy level, the order makes sense.
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meh.
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eh.
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Yeah, but don't any of you punks remember the original National?
Run here, my towhead grandchillen, and let this geezer dandle you upon his knee.
The National (newspaper)
Founded January 31, 1990
Ceased publication June 13, 1991
The National Sports Daily, or The National, was a short-lived sports newspaper in the United States which debuted January 31, 1990 and folded after 18 months. The newspaper was published daily (Sundays through Fridays) and had a tabloid format.
Among the columnists that appeared on its pages were Chris Mortensen, Ivan Maisel, Mike Lupica, Dave Meltzer, Steve Rosenbloom, Jay Mariotti and Tracy Ringolsby.
The National used the Wall Street Journal's distribution network to send out separate editions in each time zone.
Unfortunately, the distribution method turned out to be too expensive to justify disappointing circulation numbers.
Fans simply chose to continue to receive their sports news from local newspapers, local sportscasts, and ESPN. This, combined with one of the slowest economies in the post-Carter era, led to the quick end of the publication.
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I think the show merits more than an "eh." I thought Mr. November and Abel were both fantastic. It was a little low energy at times but I enjoyed myself. Talkdemonic was great, I really liked them. Shapes and Sizes (Sizes and Shapes? Can't remember) were better than they sounded on myspace like sweetcell predicted but still not fantastic. I thought they were a little bit like a poor man's animal collective at times.
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I can't speak for the openers but gawd that was a BORING show. I think the time might be ripe for a National backlash. Lets face it, Boxer is a complete snoozer of an album but many folks, including (incredibly) Pitchfork are afraid to say so because the conventional wisdom is/was that Alligator was such a 'grower'.
Rarely have I been to a concert where I have been so bored/underwhelmed. And I liked Abel and Mr November as well but 2 songs do not a good show make.....
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Not underwhelmed at all here. Probably the best show I've seen them play. The guitar work was way better live than the recorded stuff. And the violinist/keyboardist was a great addition (I guess he's the unofficial member of the band) to the live show.
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Now I don't feel so bad for having missed this.
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Feel bad cause it was great. Here's a review from chromewaves. I agree with his assessment on Shapes and Sizes as well:
http://www.chromewaves.net/index.php?itemid=2647 (http://www.chromewaves.net/index.php?itemid=2647)
Originally posted by bearman:
Now I don't feel so bad for having missed this.
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As I just said to Joe over IM:
me: oh come on
"made a compelling argument for themselves as best goddamn band in the world right now"
even if he calls out his own hyperbole, that's fucking absurd
talk about buying into the hype
jesus
that's why i hate fucking blogs
Originally posted by wanderlust aka j. marshmallow:
Feel bad cause it was great. Here's a review from chromewaves. I agree with his assessment on Shapes and Sizes as well:
http://www.chromewaves.net/index.php?itemid=2647 (http://www.chromewaves.net/index.php?itemid=2647)
Originally posted by bearman:
Now I don't feel so bad for having missed this.
[/b]
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I went with high expectations and was not disappointed. I don't think Boxer is as good as Alligator, but I thought the new stuff sounded great live. I would have liked to hear "Karen", but other than that, I thought the setlist was what it should be.
It was certainly the best $16 I have spent in quite a while.
...obviously the backlash has begun, though. Please keep me informed about when it is okay to like the National again.
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Er, Marshmallow ... that review is of the Toronto show, not DC?
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Didn't Pitchfork already give the ok? :D
I kid!
Originally posted by allmy$to930:
...obviously the backlash has begun, though. Please keep me informed about when it is okay to like the National again.
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Yea, sorry, forgot to mention it :) But it's the same tour.
I'm sure dcist will cover it later...
Originally posted by froggylizzard:
Er, Marshmallow ... that review is of the Toronto show, not DC?
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hey, to each his own - I'm glad some of you like it
but to me it was one big snoozefest
and to not play anything from sad songs for dirty lovers is borderline criminal....
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Didn't the National open for someone at the Black Cat a few years ago? I remember seeing them, and Markie, Lulu and Econo being there, but I'll be damned if I can remember who it was now. Any help?
Originally posted by brennser:
hey, to each his own - I'm glad some of you like it
but to me it was one big snoozefest
and to not play anything from sad songs for dirty lovers is borderline criminal....
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I agree. No, I wasn't actually at the show, but Brennser describes it as I imagine it.
Originally posted by brennser:
hey, to each his own - I'm glad some of you like it
but to me it was one big snoozefest
and to not play anything from sad songs for dirty lovers is borderline criminal....
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I don't remember the band either! Though I think it was a 930 gig.
Originally posted by nkotb:
Didn't the National open for someone at the Black Cat a few years ago? I remember seeing them, and Markie, Lulu and Econo being there, but I'll be damned if I can remember who it was now. Any help?
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Yeah, Joe told me it was opening for the Walkmen and Weird War (or maybe WW opened).
Originally posted by econo:
I don't remember the band either! Though I think it was a 930 gig.
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I enjoyed the set, but I think they were better when they opened for the Arcade Fire a few months ago.
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I never understood how people could forget the concerts they went to. Now I'm beginning to go through it myself.
Originally posted by nkotb:
Yeah, Joe told me it was opening for the Walkmen and Weird War (or maybe WW opened).
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meh. i think me being a grandma and going to bed at 9:30 p.m. may have been a good decision.
i'll make up for it this weekend.
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odd how opinions vary so dramatically.
i saw them in Pittsburgh the night before. think it was my 6th time seeing them & was probably my favorite.
i thought the new songs were very good live. all amped up X2. more than erasing the mellow consideration of boxer.
i do agree that it was a disappointment that they played nothing from the first 2 records.
however - assuming you got a similar setlist:
Geese of Beverly Road was amazing. as was About Today.
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Originally posted by brennser:
eh.
wait, i thought i was the canadian here? :)
what brennser said. voice was completely lost in the mix, and what was up with coming back for the encore and playing the slowest, most plodding song of the night? my reaction was "wow, you woke me up for this?" admittedly the national's music doesn't lend itself to a crazy stage-show, but i felt they dropped the ball and didn't even try. there were a few good songs, but not enough to make this memorable show. it was merely OK.
unfortunately i missed both openers (at the office late), i'll have to check them out on NPR.
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
and what was up with coming back for the encore and playing the slowest, most plodding son of the night? my reaction was "wow, you woke me up for this?"
what song was this?
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Originally posted by nkotb:
Yeah, Joe told me it was opening for the Walkmen and Weird War (or maybe WW opened).
As I recall, it was The National-> Weird War -> The Walkmen at the 9:30 Club. There were maybe 50 people there in time to see The National.
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Originally posted by i'm her slave:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
and what was up with coming back for the encore and playing the slowest, most plodding son of the night? my reaction was "wow, you woke me up for this?"
what song was this? [/b]
Oh I thought Daughters of the Soho Riots was one of the worst of the night, which was such a shame, because its such a beautiful song.
I've never seen them before so perhaps I didn't have the same expectations but I thought it was great.
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Oh god, Shapes & Sizes were terrible. Why they got billing over Talkdemonic is beyond me. Talkdemonic was really good though. The National were just amazing.
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I've never seen them live before, don't listen to them often (although I do like them), and ended up going at the last minute, but I thought it was a really good show. Having no expectations probably helped. But I thought the energy was good and I didn't get bored at any point.
However, I would like to take this opportunity to bitch about the people around me who a) sang along louder than the band (although one guy was pretty nice when I asked him to dial it down, which I've never done before, but man, he was loud) and b) loudly talked the entire damn time -- during the quiet songs, the energetic songs, in between songs. Granted, they were mostly talking about the band's songs and not something stupid and unrelated, but still. You loud people suck.
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I thought they sounded great. The new album is pretty slow, but they definitely rocked some songs out a bit more live. I've only seen em twice, but that was a far better performance than their Black Cat show (March) last year.
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I thought the show was OK (both in the good and bad senses). The new stuff sounds pretty good live, but, like the album, it's not up to snuff with Alligator. The show had some dead spots and some bright spots. 6.3 Z's
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I thought the show was okay and agree with the comment that the band seemed a bit better when they opened for the Arcade Fire last month. I too agree with the vocals being lost.
I enjoyed all of the songs and really like the way the band amps up the recorded tracks when they perform them live (as was said)
I arrived toward the beginning of Shapes and Sizes and could not get into them at all. It was as if they had all of these ideas and dismissed any editing or revision process prior to recording their songs.
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I don't think their live show will convert anyone. It's mainly for people who were fans going in, espeically last night because the vocals were lost.
And there was almost a fight near me in the middle of Soho Riots, which was odd.
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This is good to know. When I saw them with Weird War a few years back I wasn't impressed.
What's a good album to start with?
Originally posted by Taster:
I don't think their live show will convert anyone. It's mainly for people who were fans going in, espeically last night because the vocals were lost.
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
Originally posted by nkotb:
Yeah, Joe told me it was opening for the Walkmen and Weird War (or maybe WW opened).
As I recall, it was The National-> Weird War -> The Walkmen at the 9:30 Club. There were maybe 50 people there in time to see The National. [/b]
Yup, I was there with Lulu, Markie and Pollard. That was my first time seeing them, and after they played "Murder Me, Rachel" I asked Markie if I could yell out for them to play it again. After all, with only 50 people there, they would have heard my request. That buzzkill, Markie said no. I pleaded, "but I always listen to it twice!?!"
As for last night, I enjoyed the show -- some songs were great and built to strong crescendos, but not all -- but it wasn't one of the best. Here are my issues:
- I'm with Brennser, it is a CRIME to play nothing from "Sad Songs..." If they never play songs from that album again, I may be finished with my National shows.
- The crowd was for shit. You can definitely tell that The National has tipped in to 'buzz band' status. A bunch of fratty-type guys who shouted and drank (and spilled beer) all throughout the show, and their accompanying posse of girls in white tube tops OR tight white pants, who talked equally as much and marched around to get drinks and go to the bathroom in huge groups of four and five. SO much chatter. Granted, my alcohol-free school night approach probably lent itself to a higher degree of annoyance than usual, but I hated it. A friend was down in the Back Bar earlier in the evening and said the conversations were quite telling. Things like, "I hear this is TOTALLY the band to see!"
Nice to see Darth Ed...
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Originally posted by Taster:
I don't think their live show will convert anyone. It's mainly for people who were fans going in, espeically last night because the vocals were lost.
And there was almost a fight near me in the middle of Soho Riots, which was odd.
hmmm.. guess seeing them in DC was completely different than their bowery shows. because there were so many people there that weren't the biggest fans, but came out HUGE fans! perhaps nyc can do that for bands. and it had been a sell-out for months which probably means it wasnt people who 'just' discovered them. they were so incredible when i saw them, and were one of my fav shows this year. and ive been to a ton of shows for anyone who thinks i must have only been to a handful of shows.
as far as talkdemonic, i have seen them several times now, and have loved them more each time. its been awhile, and i barely remember what they sound like, but any time theyre in nyc, i try my best to see them :)
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Sounds like sweetcell and his posse. :D
But he's a geek, not fratty. jk
Originally posted by Bags:
A bunch of fratty-type guys who shouted and drank (and spilled beer) all throughout the show, and their accompanying posse of girls in white tube tops OR tight white pants, who talked equally as much and marched around to get drinks and go to the bathroom in huge groups of four and five.
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That's nice and all, but give me an album to buy!
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Originally posted by econo:
That's nice and all, but give me an album to buy!
Alligator
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Photos from the show. (http://www.informationleafblower.com/blog/archives/2007/06/a_mistake.html)
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dang, NPR only has the national's set available, looks like they didn't record the openers. i would have liked to check out talkdemonic.
Originally posted by wanderlust featuring j. marshmallow:
Sounds like sweetcell and his posse. :D
But he's a geek, not fratty. jk
heh, if only i was cool enough for a posse... when i'm lucky my girlfriend will come with me to a show. and for the record, i'm a PROUD geek.
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Originally posted by econo:
That's nice and all, but give me an album to buy!
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
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heh, if only i was cool enough for a posse
and there was I, thinking I was in sweetcells posse last night.... :(
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Originally posted by brennser:
Originally posted by econo:
That's nice and all, but give me an album to buy!
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers [/b]
I'm with Brennser.
Econo, don't you have g-mail?
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Originally posted by brennser:
heh, if only i was cool enough for a posse
and there was I, thinking I was in sweetcells posse last night.... :( [/b]
funny, i thought i was the hanger-on to you & your cool cats! brennser, you can hang with me anytime.
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Yeh, why?
Originally posted by Bags:
I'm with Brennser.
Econo, don't you have g-mail?
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Gotta agree with the earlier comment about the less than stellar crowd.
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I hated Shapes and Sizes. Mostly because the female singer had an awful voice and kept trying to be much too clever. I was grinding my teeth by the end. Really liked Talkdemonic after this 2nd time of seeing them but wish they could have a live guitar player. I really enjoyed the National's set. I was up in the balcony, and the sound was terrific. I thought the keys and violin added a lot. Matt's voice gets me every time.
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I didn't make it out to the show last night but I thought they were great at Bonnaroo. I'll probably catch them the next time around.
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j free sums it up nicely
The National: A Snoring Success
By J. Freedom du Lac
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2007; Page C11
"Boxer," the new album from critical darlings the National, is a superlative, subdued song cycle -- a textured collection of forlorn chamber-pop that seems particularly well suited for late-night listening in a darkened room after several glasses of syrah. It's the perfect moping-around music for bookish indie-rock fans who always wondered what the love child of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits might sound like, circa 2007.
But the National's melancholy music doesn't necessarily translate well to the concert stage, as the songs tend to sort of . . . sit there. At least they tended to do so Wednesday at the band's sold-out show at the 9:30 club.
Hear all those languorous lamentations, trapped under so much inertia!
Behold the six charisma-challenged musicians shuffling around the stage as though they're at a sound check!
See me suppressing yawns in the club's balcony!
Oh, the torpor!
Just consider the encore: After slogging through an hour-long set that ended with one of the more explosive songs of the night -- the frenetic "Mr. November," from "Boxer's" acclaimed predecessor, "Alligator" -- the National returned to the stage and unplugged the momentum machine by performing the stark, plodding "Green Gloves" from "Boxer." Such a fine line between killer mood music and mood-killing music, no?
At the center of the Brooklyn-based band's moody blues is Matt Berninger, the lanky frontman who writes like Waits and sings like Cohen and applies a weary baritone to his brooding words.
When he's not busy braying -- as he did during "Mr. November" and another "Alligator" song, "Abel" -- Berninger's rich voice is a thing of beauty: low, heavy and heart-sore. It stood out during the set's quiet moments, of which there were many, including the finely rendered opener, "Start a War."
"We expected something / Something better than before / We expected something more," Berninger intoned over chiming guitar chords supplied by sibling guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner. (There are brothers in the rhythm section, too: Scott Devendorf on bass and Bryan Devendorf on drums. Padma Newsome joined the group as multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, keyboards and a violin.)
The music on "Start a War" eventually swelled until it was overwhelmed by a blast of beautiful, discordant noise, thus setting a pattern: No matter how soft or slow they began, almost all of the 17 songs played by the National built to a somewhat formulaic squalor, with the band playing louder and faster until pealing guitars crashed into the drums, keyboards and violin.
Clearly, the gambit was intended to turn the songs into rousing indie-rock anthems, a la Arcade Fire, for whom the National opened on tour earlier this year. But the structural sameness actually had the opposite effect, dragging the set downward -- as though somebody spiked the show with Percoset.
Not every song underwhelmed, of course. That was particularly true of the ones from "Alligator." "Secret Meeting," for instance, sparkled with its barroom piano lines and polyrhythmic guitar riffs. And on the surging "Lit Up," the band let its arena-rock flag fly, showing off a big, anthemic sound and unveiling something resembling a pop hook.
But playing a set loaded with songs from "Boxer," the National suffered through far too many flat-lined moments. How perfect, then, that midway through the concert Berninger requested that the blue-hued stage lights be turned down some. Wouldn't want to ruin a perfectly soporific set or anything.