Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 77 posts ] 

Board index : Music Talk : Rock/Pop

Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 4:07 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:17 pm
Posts: 10827
Location: Nashville
Dalen Wrote:
Flying Rabbit Wrote:
On this board we've anointed Wilco, DBT, and Hold Steady the same.


The National are far, far superior to all of the above. Not even in the same universe.



Image


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:30 pm 
Offline
Hair Trigger of Doom

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:05 pm
Posts: 21295
Location: Subpoenaed in Texas
Sex, Drugs, and Dave Wrote:
Best American Band: Grand Funk Railroad motherfucker!


Indeed...

Image

_________________
bendandscoop.com


Back to top
 Profile WWW 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:35 pm 
Offline
Hair Trigger of Doom

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:05 pm
Posts: 21295
Location: Subpoenaed in Texas
Also, why is everybody hatin' on The Hold Steady all of a sudden? I'll take them over The National ANY DAY.

In my mind, Spoon, Wilco and MMJ are above all the rest.

Hold Steady, DBT, M. Ward, Ted Leo and Black Keys are on the second tier.

_________________
bendandscoop.com


Back to top
 Profile WWW 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:01 pm 
Offline
Whiskey Tango
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 9:08 pm
Posts: 21753
Location: REDLANDS
Yeah the National can't compare to Wilco or MMJ because they A. Don't have enough material and B. Aren't even in the same hemisphere as a live act. That could certainly change.

DBT is a different beast where you can make an argument that it's not your thing or whatever and that's fine..no complaints there. They sort of exist on their own plain, if you will.

Spoon is probably a good thing for them to shoot for. Professional, consistent, a little safe, but 9/10 hitting the mark with quality songs and execution.

_________________
"To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:36 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:48 pm
Posts: 10749
Location: getting some kicks at the mall
jesus Spoon bores the shit out of me. and I think the National is a much better live band than Wilco, whom I declined free tickets to see twice this month, but for both of them I like them best live when they sound least like themselves (i.e rock the fuck out).

and maybe this isn't fair, because I feel like Spoon deliberately gives their drummer nothing to do, whereas the National kind of let him wander, and it's really drumming that catches me.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:40 pm 
Offline
Go Platinum
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm
Posts: 9020
I have no memory of what the National sound like other than that I didn't think they were anything special when I listened to some samples a few years ago.

as far as best american bands go, I'd have to go with Sonic Youth, Son Volt, the New Year, the Deadstring Bros with the Weight and the Henry Clay People as ones with small catalogs to watch.

It seems like I must be forgetting a big one but I guess I like a lot more solo acts than bands these days.

Agree with Bloor on DBT's being on their own plain. They'd be near the top based on their live show when they are on the top of their game but their recorded material is a bit too much of a mixed bag for me to really consider them one of the best.

Interesting that no one is pushing the Strokes or the White Stripes anymore.


Back to top
 Profile WWW 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:53 pm 
Offline
British Press Hype
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:21 pm
Posts: 1351
Location: poutine beer hockey eh! etc.
Have you seen the National live recently? The one time I saw the national live, they killed it. I mean KILLED it. I still place that show in my top 5 live shows ever. This was during the boxer tour. Wilco I've seen twice, once 5 years ago with about 30,000 other people at an outdoor show and it was amazing. The second time was 2 months ago, in a smaller venue with about 2000 people, and although it was a little more mellow, it was still outstanding.

IMO, both these bands have their shit together when it comes to playing live.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:01 pm 
Offline
British Press Hype
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:21 pm
Posts: 1351
Location: poutine beer hockey eh! etc.
And billy G, maybe the national just isn't your thing, but you should give them another chance sometime. I know when I first heard them, I wasn't impressed. They are definitely a band that grows on you. But once a song or two gets under your skin, you'll be hooked.

If you feel like giving them another go, stick to alligator to start out with. The song that turned me from a hater to a lover was Abel... and then the rest started to fall into place; Mr. November, All the Wine, City Middle... and eventually the whole of Alligator becomes a flawless record.

I can seriously play that album through, then start it again at track one and repeat the album. and repeat. and repeat.

Like I said, it might not be your bag, but if your feeling up to it, check out those 4 tracks and see what happens.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:59 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:07 pm
Posts: 12618
I'd certainly put the National's last two albums up pretty high in my list of best albums of the past few years, but their other albums are largely pretty boring. I am pretty optimistic about this next one, too.

Saw them live once and they were really, really good. However, they didn't have a ton of material to draw from, and I wouldn't put their live show in the same category as The Hold Steady, MMJ, or Drive by Truckers...but pretty comparable to the quality of the Spoon live shows I've seen (only seen twice).

_________________
dumpjack: "I haven't liked anything he's done so far, but I'll still listen."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:01 pm 
Offline
Natural Harvester
User avatar

Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm
Posts: 23083
Location: Portland, OR
The Hold Steady, lol. Why would anyone listen to these guys.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:04 pm 
Offline
Garage Band
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 3:51 pm
Posts: 702
Location: Barstool
Black Magic Putin Wrote:
jesus Spoon bores the shit out of me. and I think the National is a much better live band than Wilco, whom I declined free tickets to see twice this month, but for both of them I like them best live when they sound least like themselves (i.e rock the fuck out).

and maybe this isn't fair, because I feel like Spoon deliberately gives their drummer nothing to do, whereas the National kind of let him wander, and it's really drumming that catches me.


Drumming catches you and yet you turned down free Wilco tix twice? Mistake. I thought Glenn Kotche was a monster when I caught them the other night. If I wasn't watching Nels Cline play, I was keyed on him.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:07 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:07 pm
Posts: 12618
haven't seen wilco since the YHF days, but they were always fine. competent, good stage presence, professional.

_________________
dumpjack: "I haven't liked anything he's done so far, but I'll still listen."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:29 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:48 pm
Posts: 10749
Location: getting some kicks at the mall
rparis74 Wrote:
haven't seen wilco since the YHF days, but they were always fine. competent, good stage presence, professional.
sounds like rock and roll! oh wait now it sounds like strip mall tax preparation.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:30 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:48 pm
Posts: 10749
Location: getting some kicks at the mall
Gordo Wrote:
Black Magic Putin Wrote:
jesus Spoon bores the shit out of me. and I think the National is a much better live band than Wilco, whom I declined free tickets to see twice this month, but for both of them I like them best live when they sound least like themselves (i.e rock the fuck out).

and maybe this isn't fair, because I feel like Spoon deliberately gives their drummer nothing to do, whereas the National kind of let him wander, and it's really drumming that catches me.


Drumming catches you and yet you turned down free Wilco tix twice? Mistake. I thought Glenn Kotche was a monster when I caught them the other night. If I wasn't watching Nels Cline play, I was keyed on him.
maybe they've gotten better. They stuck me on the last train to snoresville the one time I saw them.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:31 pm 
Offline
frostingspoon

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:07 pm
Posts: 12618
Black Magic Putin Wrote:
rparis74 Wrote:
haven't seen wilco since the YHF days, but they were always fine. competent, good stage presence, professional.
sounds like rock and roll! oh wait now it sounds like strip mall tax preparation.


yes

_________________
dumpjack: "I haven't liked anything he's done so far, but I'll still listen."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:06 am 
Offline
A True Aristocrat of Freedom

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:46 am
Posts: 22121
Location: a worn-out debauchee and drivelling sot
Dalen Wrote:
The Hold Steady, lol. Why would anyone listen to these guys.


Stop failing Dale. They Rule.

I know everyone's shocked, but I agree with Yail -- The National is great, and deserves to be part of the conversation, but they're not actually the best band out there

_________________
Throughout his life, from childhood until death, he was beset by severe swings of mood. His depressions frequently encouraged, and were exacerbated by, his various vices. His character mixed a superficial Enlightenment sensibility for reason and taste with a genuine and somewhat Romantic love of the sublime and a propensity for occasionally puerile whimsy.
harry Wrote:
I understand that you, of all people, know this crisis and, in your own way, are working to address it. You, the madras-pantsed julip-sipping Southern cracker and me, the oldman hippie California fruit cake are brothers in the struggle to save our country.

FT Wrote:
LooGAR (the straw that stirs the drink)


Back to top
 Profile WWW 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 12:44 am 
Offline
Failed Reunion

Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:53 am
Posts: 4263
Location: any suggestions?
Dudes; Lucero.

Seen them twice in the last month and they are on to some other shit these days.

Also - Lyle Lovett and The Large Band

_________________
Kwame Kilpatrick texted to his mistress: "NEXT TIME, JUST TELL ME TO SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, and DO YOUR THING! I'm fucked up now!"


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:44 am 
Offline
frostingspoon

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:07 pm
Posts: 12618
good point. agree. saw them live only once but they were great.

_________________
dumpjack: "I haven't liked anything he's done so far, but I'll still listen."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:02 am 
Offline
Troubador
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:23 pm
Posts: 3605
Location: Far South of Hell
Black Magic Putin Wrote:
jesus Spoon bores the shit out of me. and I think the National is a much better live band than Wilco, whom I declined free tickets to see twice this month, but for both of them I like them best live when they sound least like themselves (i.e rock the fuck out).

and maybe this isn't fair, because I feel like Spoon deliberately gives their drummer nothing to do, whereas the National kind of let him wander, and it's really drumming that catches me.


. . . the National are a really good band, drummer kicks ass, singer can tend to start a snore fest because he sings like an author that needs a books-on-tape speaker. Granted it works well for a bunch of songs but not every song in a catalog being devoid of vocal tension makes for greatness in the end.

I'm guessing your Spoon and Wilco disrespect is outdated, ill informed or general dislike for comparison's sake.


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:25 am 
Offline
Troubador
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:23 pm
Posts: 3605
Location: Far South of Hell
Dalen Wrote:
Flying Rabbit Wrote:
Quote:
On this board we've anointed Wilco, DBT, and PPDD the same.


The National and Hold Steady are far, far lesser but still really good bands but not even in the same universe .


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:27 am 
Offline
Go Platinum

Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:39 am
Posts: 6365
Location: Australia
The Hold Steady are a joke.

_________________
dances on all fours...


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:04 am 
Offline
A True Aristocrat of Freedom

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:46 am
Posts: 22121
Location: a worn-out debauchee and drivelling sot
Also, as a dude who is not really a Wilco fan anymore, their live show is AMAZING. Stop Failing, Joey Crack. Great live band.

To Billy G: I am hoping The Strokes new album brings the awesome. They are in my top 5. Great band with a solid (if limited) catalogue)

_________________
Throughout his life, from childhood until death, he was beset by severe swings of mood. His depressions frequently encouraged, and were exacerbated by, his various vices. His character mixed a superficial Enlightenment sensibility for reason and taste with a genuine and somewhat Romantic love of the sublime and a propensity for occasionally puerile whimsy.
harry Wrote:
I understand that you, of all people, know this crisis and, in your own way, are working to address it. You, the madras-pantsed julip-sipping Southern cracker and me, the oldman hippie California fruit cake are brothers in the struggle to save our country.

FT Wrote:
LooGAR (the straw that stirs the drink)


Back to top
 Profile WWW 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:14 am 
Offline
frostingspoon

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 2:36 pm
Posts: 10198
I fear the Strokes all did their solo thing too soon, isn't this the point in the career when they are all supposed to hate each other and the tension ads to a messy and brilliant album? Fingers crossed.

_________________
http://www.cdbaby.com/fishstick2


Back to top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:23 am 
Offline
frostingspoon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:59 pm
Posts: 10777
Location: Sutton, Greater London
I'm a bit of out the loop, so I don't know what's in the pipeline. At this stage, though, High Violet is my most-anticipated release of '10. After seeing them live in late '07, I put the National on my best-American-band shortlist, which includes DBT and Hold Steady but lacks Spoon.

The real champion is, of course, Mastodon. ;)


Back to top
 Profile WWWYIM 
 
 Post subject: Re: The National: Best Band Going
PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:19 am 
Offline
Go Platinum
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 4:32 pm
Posts: 8283
Location: viewing the fall....
"Falling from grace, I've been away too long"

Anyway, I have no real arguments with these responses. The Hold Steady I deem as one "minor" step below the National. Spoon, been TOO consistent, if you know what I mean. DBT, tried, but can't get. Mastodon is a beast of another color.

_________________
because you're empty, and I'm empty

Cotton Wrote:
I'd probably just drink myself to death. More so, I mean.


"Hey Judas. I know you've made a grave mistake.
Hey Peter. You've been pretty sweet since Easter break."


Back to top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 77 posts ] 

Board index : Music Talk : Rock/Pop

Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Majestic-12 [Bot] and 24 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Style by Midnight Phoenix & N.Design Studio
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group.