The National Band • Page 18

I think it's unfair to call it generic but it's still my least fave. I don't find it boring either but it's definitely bloated and could use a few songs cut, especially the interludes.

 

I find nothing about it interesting

 

but if you like it, that's all that should matter

 

not in kansas is one of the few interesting songs on the album lol

 

exactly lol

 

For me Quiet Light, IAETF, NIK, SFSF, Rylan and Light Years are classic National songs

 

I respect your opinion as always, Rob. we can't agree on everything tho

 

Not in Kansas has some real good lyrics and then some deeply cringe-y lyrics.

 

Boxer
Alligator
Sleep Well Beast
(Cherry Tree)
I Am Easy to Find = Trouble Will Find Me
Sad Songs
High Violet
The National

HV is fine, it was just a disappointment coming after the two preceding it. A good number of songs lean toward boring for me and Lemonworld is the only song I'd personally have as top tier National. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but Boxer was possibly my favorite album of all time when HV came out and I really don't think the songwriting (for the most part) is on the same level. (Also Matt sounds like he has a cold on half of it?)

I'm trolling about TWFM, I think it's honestly great but it retreads a lot of ground they'd already covered. This is where I'd make a Radiohead comparison that I know also isn't popular - it's not unlike In Rainbows in being full of excellent songs (IR is a 9/10 album) while also being a relatively safe record and thus not at the top of my list for either band. Safe can be a lazy criticism and as far as the two records in question isn't truly a knock against the quality of either. But when you have a catalog as rich and varied as either band I think it's a fair differentiator between said albums and the earlier ones where similar ground was first broken.

All that brings me to SWB, which I actually would call a return to form in part for not sounding like anything they'd done before. From the debut through Boxer one of the most interesting things about them was how much their sound evolved from record to record. So after two records that felt to me like "Boxer, but not as good as Boxer," for them to make another album near that level of quality while also exploring new directions is a huge point in its favor and the point where (to me) it felt like they might be an interesting band again instead of just a good one.

 

Vanderlyle, Lemonworld, Conversation 16, Afraid of Everyone, and Bloodbuzz are too quintessential to this band for me to not love HV, but i think it’s a fair and interesting take on the record that i almost could agree with.

 

HV has some wonderful b-sides too and then the year after they released Exile Vilify + Think You Can Wait and I love those two songs so much honestly.

 

there are a few duds but it's otherwise a great record

 

You Were a Kindness is so good

 

Only song I wasn't too keen on for the longest time was Runaway but I've come round on it, though it's still bottom tier for me

 

Definitely!

 

Can't rank their discography. It's too hard. Every album since Boxer is a 9 or 10.

*shows bare ass online*

Alligator is a 6. I think it might be because I got into this band very late (2016?) but I've never been able to connect with it at all. Would definitely put Sad Songs ahead of it personally. Mr. November is one of the best songs in the catalog tho

 

But All the Wine!!!

 

Alligator is as 10 as they come

Sad Songs is almost great, but they were still figuring stuff out. the "Trophy Wife" / "Sugar Wife" duo is among the worst moments in their discog too

 

Slipping Husband though is *chefs kiss*

 

no doubt. "Cardinal Song" and "Lucky You" are fucking primo too, though I prefer the Daytrotter version of the latter. it's a charming album

 

Chalk me up as another person who tried to get into IAETF but found it boring and bloated, especially in contrast to TWFM & SWB.

Admittedly I've spent the least amount of time w/ IAETF, and haven't tried any of the re-sequenced or trimmed track lists, maybe that will make a difference.

Walking on a String > any song on IAETF

 

Quiet Light, Oblivions, I am Easy to Find, Rylan and Light Years are some of their best songs.

 

This guy gets it!

 

Quiet Light might even be top 3 for me.

I love every song on the album outside of Hairpin Turns which is probably the most boring song in their discography.

The film doesn't get the credit it deserves. It's great.

 

Pull of You is next level, also.