The National. Could there be a more solid band? The group seems to be the perfect mixture rhythm, melody and lyric, with every member playing their part to perfection. On Alligator that perfection was at its most darndestly transcendent. Musky, brooding, enlightened, tragic, desperate and oh so gorgeous, Alligator is the work of a mature band doing what it does best better than ever before. A couple years ago while in Chicago I discovered that The National (via the equally wonderful Boxer) is the perfect music for eating after midnight at an Irish pub. A great coda to a weekend at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Contributing Writer Review I have done initial reviews on many of these albums, and it is interesting to notice how initial perspectives change, especially when considered on a spectrum. Anyhow heres a list of ten albums.
10. Lounge Legends, by France Gall: I know this is no where near an '07 release, but it was new to me this year, and considering the retro feel of many of my picks it doesn't seem too out of place. Had it been released this year it would probably be my #1.
9. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, by Spoon: I had hoped for more when this album came out, but i still can't deny how solid of an album it is.
8. Exit, by Shugo Tokumaru: As with the Books most recent album, I long for the days of less singing and more atmosphere, but I'll still take this any day of the week.
7. You, You're a History of Rust, by Do Make Say Think: As other instrumental rock/whatever bands seem to fade into the sunset, this album stands out all the more.
6. Throwing Tongues, by Navigator: In the last two days this album has worked it's way from being no where on my radar, to number six. I wonder where it would be if i had waited until tomorrow to make this list.
5. Good Bad Not Evil, by Black Lips: This album wont revolutionize much but it will electrify most anyone listening.
4. Invitation Songs, by The Cave Singers: In a year with much for the eclectic and eccentric listener, it is nice to have a simple album with a defining voice, and to realize how good music can still be without all the frills.
3. 100 Days 100 Nights, by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings: I have been listenning to the opening and closing tracks of this album on repeat for a while now, and the rest of the album is no slouch either.
1 & 2. Sound of Silver, by LCD Soundsystems & Boxer, by The National: Because all lists are kind of trivial anyways i figure there's really no sense trying to rack my appreciative senses and decide which one of these should top my list, so both and neither do. But i might have to give a slight edge to LCD on account of their live performance at Thanksgiving Point.
A lot of people call The National’s albums “growers,” but I think that is a bit misleading. The truth about The National is that the first time you listen to them the songs come off as deep as the fifth time you listen to similar artists (Arcade Fire, I’m looking at you). The National are that good. And from your first listen forward they only get better and better. It is really hard to identify what makes the seemingly standard indie rock The National produce heads and shoulders above their contemporaries. On my first time through Boxer I thought I had it; The National’s drummer, Bryan Devendorf, is definitely the most inventive, technically proficient drummer on the indie rock market. On the second listen I was corrected, the subtle dual guitar interplay and piano on Boxer was the culprit for success. The third listen marked another change, identifying Matt Berniger’s syrupy relaxed vocals as the winning factor. After about 5 or so changes of opinion, I was back to step one – the drumming. I could cycle through each members talent endlessly. Truth is everything here is perfect. There is no unnecessary note. Every member hits their mark flawlessly. The album is baked in a slow-burning perfection that I have rarely heard throughout a full album. Further more, The National share a descriptive title usually reserved by legends like David Bowie and Tom Waits: class. There is a certain level of undaunted, confident-but-not-cocky class that pervades the album. The only reason I have hesitantly given the album a nine is that by some unimaginable course, 2005’s Alligator was even better. Boxer still has room to grow though. Let’s just say – ‘at least a 9.0.’
The National
