| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Fake Empire | The National | 3:25 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Mistaken for Strangers | The National | 3:30 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Brainy | The National | 3:18 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Squalor Victoria | The National | 2:59 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Green Gloves | The National | 3:39 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Slow Show | The National | 4:08 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Apartment Story | The National | 3:32 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Start a War | The National | 3:16 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Guest Room | The National | 3:18 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Racing Like a Pro | The National | 3:24 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Ada | The National | 4:03 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Gospel | The National | 4:29 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 12 Songs |
Album Review
The National don't do anything radically different on Boxer, but then again, they don't really need to: their literate, quietly anthemic take on indie rock seemed to have arrived fully formed on their 2001 self-titled debut. Boxer just hones in even more precisely and intimately on the heartfelt territory the band covers, with punchy-yet-polished production and orchestration by the Clogs' Padma Newsome giving these songs an intimacy and widescreen expansiveness that rivals the Arcade Fire. The album's first four songs are among the National's finest work yet: "Fake Empire" begins as a dead-of-night ballad that echoes Leonard Cohen, then peppy brass and guitars turn it into something joyous. The brooding "Mistaken for Strangers" touches on the side of the band that could be mistaken for a more hopeful Joy Division, if lyrics like "You wouldn't want an angel watching over you?/Surprise surprise, they wouldn't want to watch" can be counted as hopeful. "Brainy," a borderline obsessive love song, shows off the remarkable, dark chocolate richness of Matt Berninger's vocals and how well they complement the band's occasionally bookish lyrics, while "Squalor Victoria" makes the most of Newsome's lavish string arrangements. The rest of Boxer is subtler, but no less accomplished, with each song supporting the other as a classic album should. "Apartment Story"'s hypnotic chug and "Slow Show"'s witty, knowing affection make them standouts, while the graceful, regretful "Ada" plays more like a short story than a song. As focused as it is ambitious, Boxer is riveting.
Customer Reviews
This One's a Grower
I have to admit I didn't jump on The National bandwagon with Alligator, I just never got round to it and from the few tracks I heard I didn't get overly excited. I'll have to rectify that mistake, but for now I'll happily make do with Boxer, for it is a superb album. On first listen I thought the first few tracks were OK and it wasn't until "Slow Show" that I paused for a second and thought "actually this is rather good." The further I got through the album the more I enjoyed it so I stuck it on again. Lo and behold I discovered that the first few tracks seemed better than I remembered them to be. This is definitely an album that needs a few listens before it can be fully appreciated, having given it those few listens I'd urge other people to do the same - it's more than worth it. A candidate for second best album of the year (if any album throw's Dungen's Tio Bitar off that throne I'll be amazed!)..
The Finished Article
The National are sometimes criticised for sounding too much like their influencers. This however is not true and is clearly shown on this fantastic album. The National have a sound of their own like no other band at the moment and can't be tied down to a particular genre. In a time of recycled lyrics it is so refreshing to have a true poet like Matt Berninger at the healm, even if one does not what he is going on about at times. Buy this album and listen to his original delivery combined with a host of backing from brass and strings as well as Regina Spektor and Ryan Adams on vocal and Sufjan Stevens on piano. Listen to it over and over until it sinks in, and if you dont have Alligator get that to!
They've done it again, Virginia!
This band just get better and better. Great songs, great lyrics, great live...I don't need to say anymore!
Biography
Formed: 1999 in Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Alternative
Years Active: '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By The National
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
About Today | Cherry Tree | 4:10 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Fake Empire | Boxer | 3:25 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Exile Vilify (From the Game "Portal 2") | Exile Vilify (From the Game "Portal 2") - Single | 4:45 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Think You Can Wait (From the Film "Win Win") | Think You Can Wait (From the Film "Win Win") - Single | 4:37 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Slow Show | Boxer | 4:08 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Bloodbuzz Ohio | High Violet | 4:35 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
England | High Violet | 5:40 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Sorrow | High Violet | 3:25 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Start a War | Boxer | 3:16 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Mistaken for Strangers | Boxer | 3:30 | £0.79 | View In iTunes |
- £7.99
- Genres: Alternative, Music, Rock, Adult Alternative, Country, Alternative Country, Indie Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Pop
- Released: 21 May 2007
- ℗ 2007 Beggars Banquet
