Can definitely see how this album could be a challenge. I love these guys, but I've had to force myself to listen to it in it's entirety. It's not exactly a summer album, and the length has kept me from playing it through with any consistency, which speaks to my listening habits more than anything. Ranking their albums would be impossible for me, but I don't think I'd put it in the top third. That said, there are tons of great songs on here. Rylan was obviously a great track before being recorded. Quiet Light is up there for me as one of the best songs they have. Etc, etc. IDK, TL:DR I like the album, but can definitely see how others may not vibe with it.
How’s it not a Summer album? It’s easily the most pop-influenced of any of their LPs... Even the slower songs have more bounce/joy than slow songs on HV/TWFM/SWB.
I think Boxer/Aligator have way bigger summer energy than this album but “Where Is Her Head” is a summer jam
so they're in Glasgow tonight and uh, they covered Frightened Rabbit's My Backwards Walk. With Lauren from CHVRCHES. Oh my GOD.
Don’t think that info is out yet. I really hope the performance of “Where Is Her Head” with Julien is on it.
I vastly prefer this to SWB. All the guest vocalists add a lot. The short film is a great touch too. Also the title track might be my favorite National track.
Yeah I haven’t felt any inclination to return to this. It’s a shame because I love their last four or five albums
So I love this record, I think it’s a tinge bloated (not bad songs per se, I don’t think they’re capable of writing a bad song, but maybe some musically redundant stuff). But it’s still probably my least favorite of their stuff since SS. Which is not a knock on the record, but a testament to how great their other stuff is. It’s been a great year for indie rock, the best in a long time imo, maybe since 09. This will probably be in my top 25
Live from Beacon Theater is unreal, love the encore too, they go in on system dreams in total darkness.