The National may sound like a garage band turned down, but there's as much primal energy lurking behind Alligator as in any mop-topped group of city kids with bloodstained Danelectros in a dusty warehouse. While Matt Berninger's lyrics and conversational delivery rely heavily on the kind of literate self-absorption that fuels so much of the indie rock scene today, he never comes off as preachy or unaware that the world would manage just fine without him; rather, he uses metaphor and humor as bullet points for a profound sense of displacement and anger. Out-of-the-blue statements like "f*ck me and make me a drink," from the brooding but lovely "Karen," are effective because the listener is brought into the story slowly, almost amiably, before being led to the plank. Berninger's wry, filthy, and often eloquently sad tales of materialism, sex, and loneliness are augmented by the stellar duel-sibling attack of Aaron Dessner (guitar) and Bryce Dessner (guitar) and Scott Devendorf (guitar/bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums), who flesh out each track with so many little creative flourishes that it takes a few listens to break them down into palatable portions. There are upbeat moments found within -- "Lit Up" and "Looking for Astronauts" -- but for the most part the National are content with playing the genial fatalists, and while "All the Wine" seems designed to serve as the record's desolate backbone, "Baby, We'll Be Fine," with its quick changes, lush orchestration, and winsome refrain of "I'm so sorry for everything" is, despite an elegiac delivery, Alligator's loneliest track, and like each part of this fine collection of city-weary poetry, it's as brief as it is affecting.
So I was kind of pissed that we had to leave during the encore because of the last train (and thus in all likelihood missing what I find to be their best song in "About Today"), and that feeling was both worsened and soothed by the overall quality of the gig, which was absolutely amazing.What adds to that is that the band plays with feeling, and especially that Matt Berninger sings it with so m...
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I have so much love for Matt Berninger and his band. The National are originally from Cincinnati, but moved to Brooklyn to set up shop as a rock band. Way to take the frustrations that Ohio poses to free thinkers and turn it into beautiful music.Brooding, heartfelt songs abound on all of their records and they are great live. Tonight @ The Wiltern if you are in the Los Angeles area...gonna be a...
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In this season's political climate, why WOULDN'T you show your support for the presidential candidate of your choice. The National have quietly voiced their allegiance with a new Barack Obama/Mr. November T-Shirt, available on their website.Maybe the song being referenced is not the most politically correct in The National's catalog, but it does have that certain "je ne sais quoi" to it."I WON...
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The Comfest Gods were smiling on Columbus yesterday...probably the nicest day of the year!Best time ever...Willie Phoenix rocked....then Envelope blew the roof off of the off ramp stage...he was the set of the night, no doubt! Yes, I realize that nobody outside of my area code has ANY IDEA who these artists are, but I am trying to paint a picture here ;-)I think, had I been tested, my blood alc...
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I didn't make it to Grindhouse tonight...because my friends wanted to go see a band instead...and I agreed...live music any day...even over Tarantino AND Rodriguez....movies are for Monday nights...not Friday nights!Anyway, I for one CAN NOT WAIT for the next National album...I love this song so much, I have to share
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I basically started 2007 by missing Jarvis in Paradiso. I recall saying then “Well, I already have had my biggest disappointed and made my dumbest mistake of the year!”Warning, don’t say that ever, because it will come back and bite you in the ass.This last year, I reached new highs and lows, I felt things I had never felt, both as part of the ups and of the downs. I came to a lot of realiza
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So I was kind of pissed that we had to leave during the encore because of the last train (and thus in all likelihood missing what I find to be their best song in "About Today"), and that feeling was both worsened and soothed by the overall quality of the gig, which was absolutely amazing.What adds to that is that the band plays with feeling, and especially that Matt Berninger sings it with so m...
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About ten years ago, I was sitting in my elementary school cafeteria with my friends. We were just learning about the government and how it works when the topic of Presidents came up. We, being the wise 8 year olds we were, decided that while it would be extremely cool to have a black president, that would never happen, at least in the near future.A decade later, I proved myself wrong. I am ...
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Yeah, you read that right. Tomorrow, I head to our nation's capital to witness history unfold (wow I sound like a CNN anchor...) as Barack Obama is sworn in as president. In all seriousness, typing that last sentence sent chills down my spine. It's going to be tough trying to top this one. So, wish me warm, wish me safe, and you'll be rewarded with the whole shebang on Thursday when I get b...
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the national is my newest mog-related obsession. at first, i was completely disinterested in them, then relatively apathetic, then curiously intrigued, then mildly fascinated, and now you better not fucking touch my cd or i will cut you! (what can i say, i'm an only child - i don't share.) they're just great...so, i don't even know, but they've very much grown on me. they have a vague goldc...
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So I just have to share with everyone that I am madly, hopelessly head-over-heels in love with both the National and the Black Angels! These bands have been on constant rotation in my iTunes and my iPod for the past few days. I haven't fallen this hard forany band in years, and now here I am with two, count 'em, TWO awesome bands. Life is looking up.Here (if I do this correctly) is the Black...
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"I've got two sets of headphones, I miss you like hell..."I heard this song randomly today - I used to listen to it a lot - and it's been in my head because it reminds me of someone who I was very close to once - but we don't talk anymore...It's all about the semi state of nervousness and implicit urgency... not to mention THAT guitar and THOSE drums... Anyway... fake a heart attack and get bac...
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The National were in Toronto recently and yes I missed them. However, this discovery prompted me to reexamine their catalog. Which led to drinking (and more listening) and then this post. They are depressing and pretty and I goddamn wish I had read the paper earlier in the week. I hate the Koolhaus anyway. Sigh. No. No I don't.mondaymusicupdate.blogspot.com
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Here's The National performing So Far Around the Bend from the Dark Was the Night compilation (this song was a creeper for me - I started out thinking it's a throw-away, but now an essential track, here's hoping they keep this direction for the next album).and then, here is a clip of The National playing backup at the Dark Was the Night show for Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.Really well recorded MP3...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Secret Meeting |
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| 2 Karen |
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| 3 Lit Up |
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| 4 Looking for Astronauts |
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| 5 Daughters of the Soho Riots |
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| 6 Baby, We'll Be Fine |
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| 7 Friend of Mine |
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| 8 Val Jester |
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| 9 All the Wine |
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| 10 Abel |
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| 11 The Geese of Beverly Road |
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| 12 City Middle |
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| 13 Mr. November |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Alligator")
