The National - Boxer

quarryman

After at least 3 people asking me "Have heard of The National?!" I decided to take the plunge, I'm liking the album. Defo a grower.

Boxer

Opinions?

lordgoat

Old news p! The national are a great band, check out alligator next if you liked boxer and then get their older albums all top notch!

DerekD Goldfish

I quite like The National

bugler

Their vintage period for me will probably always be "Cherry Tree" to "Alligator". I hope there are a few more albums in them yet, though. I'll always consider it a privilege to have seen them in Whelans in November 2005, which I think was the time to see them

lordgoat

Personally i thought that gig was a bit dour. i've seen them play a 40mintue set recently that blew the pants off that whelans gig.

bugler

I saw them at the Astoria in May. It was a good gig but Boxer is far more muted than Alligator, and it definitely translates differently live. Horses for courses, but for me the Whelans gig was fantastic. Certainly wouldn't describe it as dour, Alligator has more intensity and aggression to it than Boxer, and a set centred off it will always have more energy.

JæKæ

Saw them play very recently, they only played about 40 mins? Their roadie type people were messing with the sound setup for a while when they were due to come on. I only know Boxer, but a few other good songs, probably from Alligator. Sound wan't great in the 'venue'. Lot of high pitch distortion. Lively show though

bugler

Are ye referring to that very big Irish music mudfest when mentioning this 40 minute set?

To be honest at the Astoria I was a bit disappointed they didn't play more tracks. They went over 40 minutes, but there were a few tracks left out that I'd have though they would have played. Everything bar "Friend of Mine" was played off Alligator when I saw them in Whelans, I think.

lordgoat

Possibly!

John

Anymore discussion of MCD events (however "sly" you are) and I'll have to lock the thread.

Flattery

Bought this album a couple of days ago and am very impressed up to now. Struggling to work out who it is they remind me of, though. Nick Cave? Eels? Even a little Arcade Fire? Anyone any thoughts?

bugler

I have heard them likened to: Tindersticks, Leonard Cohen (a lot), Nick Cave and even Joy Division (!).

All I know is I prefer them to all the above. You should really check out 'Alligator' if you haven't already.

indiewindy

Yeah agree with the tindersticks comparision, have also heard people compare them to arab strap. Great voice on the singer, good to see them selling a lot more cds this time, as their last cd was a classic. They'll be all over the end of year lists

bottlerocket

Ordered this online a couple of months back and still waiting. Thank you very much cdnow. Heard good things about it, how does it compare to the last two?

eclectichoney

i ordered it with cdwow too - got fed up waiting a few week sgo and cancelled it. the album's great - hard to call between alligator and boxer tbh - they both have their moments!

lordgoat

Now i like the national a lot. However to compare them to Lenard Cohen is completely off the mark. Leonard singing " We're out looking for astronauts"? Ish don't think so... And no his voice doesn't sound anything like Cohens either.

The only one of the first list i'd be alirght with is Tindersticks but i hate saying bands sound like other bands bit of a cop out really...

bugler

The Cohen comparison isn't mine - it's the medias. I've never understood the rush to compare bands to other bands, but I suppose critics think they need it to paint a picture of the music for people who haven't heard of whoever is being reviewed.

Likewise, I always thought the Interpol - Joy Division comparison (which frankly, must have featured in 70-80% of their reviews of TOTBL or Antics) was way over-emphasised, and fairly unhelpful.

mathie

I agree that Boxer just gets better and better with each listen.

I honestly can't find a bad or even mediocre song on the whole album.

Green Gloves, Racing Like a Pro, Mistaken for Strangers, Fake Empire and Ada are stand-outs

Best album I've heard since Scott Mattews PAssing Stranger (no comapriison intended)


M