honestly surprise myself every time i finish this record because its so hard not to just leave Quiet Light on repeat
The lyrics of Light Years really feel like a continuation of Hard to Find, which is funny considering the naming similarities of the two albums.
I made an extended version recently with the clip from the short film - not sure I posted it here yet... Quiet Light (Extended) on Clyp EDITL: I did but I just like how it turned out. If we're ranking, I'll say I decided my top 10 National songs are currently: Lemonworld Rylan Conversation 16 Quiet Light (specifically the extended version I put together - I got really attached to the song since that one Instagram clip, the live debut, and my rework lol) Sleep Well Beast Graceless Mistaken For Strangers Driver Surprise Me I'll Still Destroy You Blank Slate
This band is so good that I can’t really argue with anyone’s ranking but Pink Rabbits doesn’t make the top ten?????
HV, while a good record in its own right, was an absolutely massive disappointment coming after Boxer for me - Lemonworld is the only song on it that would crack my National top 25. And if you really want to get the hot take machine spinning, TWFM is by and large just Boxer but less good. (Though again, really good album without the historical context.) SWB and IAETF both sound like the band really pushing themselves forward and for the most part the best songs are higher highs imo.
I usually don’t participate in rankings, but if I did Pink Rabbits would be top 5. It took my a long time, and a few failed attempts to get into the National, and that was the first song that clicked!
I don't think I can rank individual songs, and I'm not sure I have one clear song that is a favorite, but "Pink Rabbits" is way up there near the top. Aside from "Rylan" - which has pretty much been consistently stuck in my head since I first heard it played live - the song that is sticking with me the most from IAETF is "Hairpin Turns". Its not the most immediately affecting song when I listen to the album - that would probably be "Where Is Her Head" - but it's the one I really can't shake afterwards.
one more take on this album. it's long but I tend to ramble about this band, apologies Review: The National - I Am Easy to Find | Sputnikmusic
I’ve been calling Guilty Party my favorite song by then basically since SWB dropped, but there are multiple on IAETF gunning for that title now. Faves by album: Sad Songs: Cardinal Song Aligator: Secret Meeting Boxer: Fake Empire High Violet: Terrible Love Trouble Will Find Me: Don’t Swallow The Cap Sleep Well Beast: Guilty Party I Am East to Find: Where Is Her Head Non-album: Sleep All Summer w/ St. Vincent
Boxer (“Slow Show”) Alligator (“Abel”) Sleep Well Beast (“Born to Beg”) High Violet (“Bloodbuzz Ohio”) Trouble Will Find Me (“I Should Live in Salt”) I Am Easy to Find (“Light Years”) Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers (“Murder Me Rachael”) The National (“American Mary”)
This is all I want to listen to right now. So good. I agree with @Jason Tate that this will be better in the fall/winter though. I’m looking forward to some somber summer nights on the porch with this though.
I’ve listened to “Not in Kansas” every time I’ve gotten in the car this weekend This album is incredible It’s also been raining and sub 40 degrees this weekend here in the Twin Cities (what the fuck) which has been perfect listening conditions for this
They really know how to open an album. I considered I Should Live in Salt for TWFM and Nobody Else Will Be There is my second favorite from SWB. IAETF is honestly their first album where the opener isn’t top 2-3 track on the album imo.
Currently en route to Indiana from Massachusetts with the girlfriend because she’s moving there for work for the next three months (and I’m returning to MA tomorrow), and listening to this in the car last night on the first half of the journey was even more special than I had hoped. The Pull Of You killed me.
Oh boy this is off the cuff, gut reaction. Best songs from each album (nixing S/T): Sad Songs - 90-Mile Water Wall Alligator - City Middle Boxer - Ada High Violet - Lemonworld Trouble Will Find Me - Pink Rabbits Sleep Well Beast - Guilty Party I Am Easy To Find - Not In Kansas Only one I’m not too confident about is for IAETF, I’ve only listened about three times through but that’s gonna change today.