TWFM Boxer SWB High Violet IAETF Alligator Sad Songs The National Yes I know I said IAETF is top tier but tbf the top 5 albums are all relatively close for me.
Boxer HV Alligator IAMETF TWFM SWB Sad Songs The National The top three and middle three change for me like hourly
The good songs on IAETF are definitely some of their best, but it’s way too long and there’s a lot of boring stuff
This is largely how I feel. I probably need to revisit it, the songs I love I really love. It’s just a bit of a chore to listen to it all the way through.
I’m all about SWB & IAETF. Their control over their music is masterful right now. They’ve figured out how to make single notes, a brief guitar flash, and a quick drum flourish hit harder IMO than the cacophony of strings/horns/guitars. The last two albums have also sounded the most human and warm, despite their colder sonic palette. They’re my favorite band but their recordings have been a bit flat and pieced together in the studio at times. That said, a big part of why people like them, especially High Violet heads, has been de-prioritized. Less clever Matt lyrics, less shimmering guitars, less epic/bombastic climaxes, etc. And it IS boring and slow. So, no judgment if the IAETF songs aren’t doing it for you. For me, only the interludes are a problem. I’d be ok with them being gone. Everything else I’m really into and I find it exciting that they can keep morphing slightly into a third decade with quality releases.
Thought it was interesting in Matt’s interview with Phoebe where he talks about not liking the lyrics on Sad Songs tracks. Definitely a lot of angry white guy stuff happening on those first three records+cherry tree. I love a lot of it, but i get feeling uncomfortable with yourself having written those lyrics.
Threw on Alligator randomly this evening because out of their 6 most recent records it’s the one I’ve heard the least (became a fan starting with Boxer) and fuck what a great record. The last 5 tracks starting with “all the wine” are an amazing transition into the “classic” era of The National. What a band.