Two years in the making, this review has been haunting me. Every night, I sit and think how I could possibly start to introduce a band I came to know.
It all started when I was out looking for something refreshing. A new book will suit me fine. A new philosophy would be great. A new career will be perfect. A new sense of me. There was a need to change the inner self. And what better way to start this: going online. And as a result, all combined albums sales, live performances,
all albums produced, as I found out, made lead singer Matt Berninger $3 million worth. Pretty neat.
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Indie bands keeps this distinct character of aloofness to mainstream, and this is where The National stands on right now, high on that pedestal of respected artist in the music industry.
I've listened through a number of offered playlists, and nothing has intrigued me more than listening to what they willingly offer: power beat loops, muted guitar and piano laden tunes. How basic and down to earth can that be! You can easily catch that capsuled moment of focus, eerie enchantments with melodic resonance, that young and vibrant feeling you always feel when listening to their top tracks. You will still appreciate how continuous and forward sounding they are while getting touch base with their earlier albums. It is a bliss truly note worthy.
Early Years
Formed way back in 1990, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and are currently based in Brooklyn. An indie rock band, they then decided they should call their band The National in 1999. Getting this set up, most of the band members work on day jobs, at the time, while regularly performing free Sunday night shows in one of NYC's highly regarded venues.
For times, I came upon their album "Trouble Will Find Me" on music forums, online magazine sites featuring new artists, you name them. The album cover looks intriguing. But my interest then was not as much as hyped 2 years post finding / knowing them.
Sound Buzz
It is always as if my ears were glued to my headset the moment I listened to this album. Here are the top tracks with mass appeals:
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** Don't Swallow The Cap (4:45)
That catchy on-set of beats never seems to fail. This sound is more mature, more dark, and more driven than before. You can sense the determination, focus, and hunger for sounds each member has to offer. That trumpet synth surprises me as it shows up almost alternatively on each track minute. The ambiance is set if you'll prefer private, muted lounge gatherings, and this will be the track in your playlist. That insane loop almost at the end of the song is a killer.
** Graceless (4:35)
Dark mood, and muted gray room shade is what this song talks about. You can now drink wine while sorting through your thoughts, looking outside your window, looking through that still, dark cloud, with rains looming all over.
** This Is The Last Time (4:43)
Introduce that acoustic, bland, relaxed atmosphere, and you will arrive at your destination. Perfect to listen to while you're driving, in transit, waiting for the next bus or train to arrive. An absolute peace in times of greater chaos.
** Humiliation (5:00)
Dinner was mentioned in the intro of the song, so I can say I can smoke after dinner. I connect a good smoke (Marlboro Red) and a sumptuous dinner, and this song associates both. Every part comes perfect with blending attributes either with your emotions, or an event you are currently waiting to start, let's say waiting for a meeting while all other participants in a little crowded room hasn't subdued themselves to minding.
** Pink Rabbits (4:36)
So, where did the elephant go? Quietly replaced by a rabbit, then. Maybe Matt refers to anyone who is just in the room who blends in like, well, pink rabbits: You can't say you've never noticed them, they move fast and quick. lol. Or, the song can be about breakups, and the pain that goes with it.
The Concert @ Roskilde
As my interest with how they produce such relaxed, spontaneous laden drum beats grew, and again, the muted aura of dark plots, I decided and thought "well, how do they sound live, on stage?". I scanned and recently found this good
footage: This happened last 2013, on Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival (an annual music festival held south of Roskilde in Denmark).
Playing their famous hits, The National set the stage blazing. These lineups do so well, euphoric can't even be the best way to describe any words equal to seeing them rock on.
Set List:
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00:12 Don't Swallow the Cap
04:50 Bloodbuzz Ohio
09:59 Mistaken for Strangers
13:34 Sea of Love
17:14 Afraid of Everyone
21:29 Conversation 16
25:34 Squalor Victoria
31:26 I Need My Girl
35:51 This Is the Last Time
40:21 Sorrow
44:13 England
49:43 Mr. November
54:34 Terrible Love
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Apart from that, there is another good read I'll be posting below. And, a documentary showing the band's humble beginnings will also be listed, as well, entitled Mistaken For Strangers.
A charming way of putting all pieces of the band's ups & down into one memoir.
Clearly, there is more to just being in a band, creating precise music outcomes.
4You can purchase "Trouble Will Find Me" and all their other albums here
4 Mistaken For Strangers Documentary you can find here
4The National Dad Rock review here
