This latest full length from the National is really getting into my head lately. Seems there's almost always a song fragment from this one swirling around in the back of my brain the last couple weeks. I loved the Cherry Tree EP from last year, a lot. It was funny, but I listened some to the stream of Alligator at their site when it came out and was kind of disappointed after falling so hard for the EP so held off for a long time. But finally good sense prevailed, and I knew these guys couldn't possibly let me down, so went ahead and bought it ... and now it might be my favorite of the year. Full of colorful lyric fragments that stick in your head long after the music stops. My bodyguard shows her revolver to anyone who asks and You wear your skirt like a flag from the song "Lit Up", which also comes with steady pounding drums and a great celebratory post-punk sounding chorus. Little musical vignettes that make you smile later. Karen put me in a chair ... fuck me and make me a drink from "Karen". Break my arms around the one I love ... And be forgiven by the time my lover comes from one of my favorites, "Daughters of the SoHo Riots". "City Middle" might be my favorite right now, I have weird memories of you ... Wearing long red socks and red shoes. But hard to pick a favorite song on this one since I like them all, and when the closer "Mr. November" plays that's one of my favorites of the year. I wish that I believed in fate ... I wish I didn't sleep so late ... I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders. Ya know, I just can't get enough of that Tindersticks meets Arcade Fire sound. Huh? Just checked at amazon and they're pairing this National CD with Arcade Fire' Funeral, I guess because someone thinks it is similar. And ya know, maybe it is, I don't know? Sometimes I miss the obvious. It is quite a bit more rambunctious than the previous EP except for the Wine song that's on both, and does have those colorful chamber orchestra flourishes in some of the songs, so maybe that's where the Arcade Fire makes a connection, but whatever, very nice listen. Seems to have gotten some very mixed reviews from the critics - what about around here? Haven't seen too much mention so far, although I know some people had it on their lists.

i deleted this album a while back. i rarely delete albums.

I like the lyrics, but the songs sound like polite versions of many better bands from the past. Maybe if I listened to it more.

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i also like this album a lot....one of my favorites from the past year.

The few songs I heard sent me out of the room screaming.

For an album I don't listen to very often, I like it a lot. That's a compliment.

I like it a lot, too. I listened to it a lot more in the months after I got it, but haven't listened in a while. Not sure where it stands on my best o' year list, but I know it's unfortunately lower than it was before. I can't compare it to their others as I have yet to explore anything else of theirs.

Ha! It is surprising how subjective music can be, huh? We like so much of the same stuff and then have like a total disconnect here, although I'm pretty sure you'd discover something here with more time. But they do have an underlying atmosphere that goes back to bands like Joy Division, and forward to Interpol, which I know you aren't very fond of. But they really click for me. The surprising part is that we both love Willard Grant Conspiracy so much, and the National seems like a pretty similar sound to me, albeit a little more upbeat and not as country leaning. More like Springsteen. Oh well, they couldn't be any good if everybody liked them

i saw them last friday. they were really good. they played "mr november"/"murder me rachael"/"all the wine" in a row and i loved it. with it being their second show of the night, they were also hammered, but played very tight. alligator may creep into my top-10, but that show's definitely in my top-10 of the year. (and i've seen more shows this year than any other.)

I, too, fall into the "like it a lot" category.

Mind you, I also like their ep a ton.

Cheers,

audiobill

I feel like we haven't fought about this album in months over here.

Yeah, I've been away for awhile but I can see what you mean. It does get some mixed reactions. So far no one has really talked much about what they don't like about it. Not sure if it's that fluffy Interpol production or the lackluster vocals or the banal lyrics or the tuneless songs, or maybe all the above? Whatever it is, I must be totally immune to it. Just checking at metacritic this morning and saw that Uncut gave it 5 stars and album of the month when it came out. They really like these guys a lot. Even gave the EP 5 stars last year. I never would've guessed that I'd be liking it this much during the first couple listens. Amazing turnaround for me. Glad I stuck with it.

i walked out of their live show because it was so horrible. i rarely walk out of shows.

Yeh, what's not to like?

I still have not heard one note of this album or this band for that matter.

Maybe I would like it but I suspect that ignorance is bliss on this one.

don't compare interpol to the national you bitter man

i think you might like it.

you must've seen an off-night because they were excellent on friday. all of my friends liked the show a lot. and it's rare when we all agree that a show would make our top 10 for the year.

i also wasn't really stoked on the album either, but thought i would give them a chance live (i was actually there to see the opening band- menomena).

I'm seeing 'em next week. I'll give a review then.

hey t, let me know if you hear of anyone who has an extra ticket.... i REALLY want to see clap your hands say yeah but both shows are sold out.

Dude, those tickets were available for the longest time. My friend, Audree, not to be confused with you has been trying to buy tix off of Ebay and Craigslist. Believe it or not, they're selling for almost 100 bucks!!!

i know, but you know me, i lagged on trying to get them. there is NO way i'm paying $100 to see cyhsy.... especially since i'm not very fond of the national. i just want to see cyhsy.