Hey. been awhile. No, I'm not sure if Matt Berninger of Brooklyn's The National, does in fact smoke but I wouldn't be surprised. His grizzly, tired voice is as heartbreaking as it is compelling, almost like the one reciting WWII stories to it's grandchildren. Could be cigarettes that dragged life from his throat, or could be some sort of cultivated (and perhaps, pretentious) "artistic weight." Either way, his voice really is wonderful. It is Jeff Buckley-like swoon in an arena of Leonard Cohen's hopelessness. Mix this in with cleverly anxious lyrics and you've got a powerful vocalist.For those with the penchant towards curiously hypnotic, rythmic and (thank god) quality indie-rock, check out The National's new album "Boxer."