The National

[Chulahoma]

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.

[alex]

The Arcade Fire show was the first I'd ever heard them, and I thought they were great.

[jbcapati]

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.

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

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?

[ggw]

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.

[Darth Ed]

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.

[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?

[ggw]

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.

[ratioci nation]

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.

[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.

[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.
 
 
 

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]

[ratioci nation]

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.

[Vas Deferens]

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...

[ggw]

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...

[yinzer]

it could be another alligator.  alligator wasn't alligator the first few plays.