Cherry Tree

The National | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Brassland Records
• ASIN: B0002JUX38
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,031 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finest Moment, January 20, 2008

By 

Sunmachine (Cooley High) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cherry Tree (Audio CD)

Even after the quality of Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers anyone would be hard pressed to see this coming. "Come over here, I wanna kiss your skinny throat" Berninger sings in Wasp Nest to the pernicious lover who is irresistible all the same.
'All The Wine' is where it becomes apparant that this ain't the same ol' National. There's enough room in this tune for more than one pile of Trump Towers, and Berninger is more than able to fill it: "So tall I take over the street... I'm a festival, I'm a parade." A statement of intent if ever there was one. Don't doubt it. As he tells us even the motorcades have to go around him, and hey, God is on his side. Big, brilliant, beautiful.
The quiet menace that is 'All Dolled Up in Straps' is downright scary. The title song evokes much the same feeling. Some things are better left unsaid and the lines "no one is asking so leave it alone... Can we show a little discipline?" is the furthest thing from the plea it might sound like. More a stern admonition.
Which brings us to 'About Today.' I thought this was one of the most promising American bands until I heard this and then I knew. Listening I kept thinking 'They can't be this good. Nobody's this good.' A relationship teeters on the edge of a day. "How close am I to losing you?" Berninger asks, probably to himself. Startling spare music plays behind as the words finally come out, "Can I ask you about today?" It's impossible to put into words the desperation, resignation, and beauty that this line conveys. No wonder they finish their shows with this song: they can't do any better. Very few can.
I don't really know why they put a live version of the fine 'Murder Me Rachel' from Sad Songs on this. Totally unnecessary. The EP was perfect and while this doesn't take anything away, it certainly adds nothing. You want to ask them, "Didn't you hear the first 5 songs?" And 'A Reasonable Man' well, we love you Padma, but this doesn't belong here.
Easily the best thing released in 2004. You'll agree as you start the cd over (and over) after song five.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very strong effort from excellent band, October 14, 2005

By 

robbieandrose (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cherry Tree (Audio CD)

Cherry Tree has a very different feel from the most recent release 'Alligator'. It is quieter, is full of violins and kind've brings back memories of Dire Straits 'making moves' on 'All Dolled up In Straps'. With the exception of the last track on this EP all the other songs are very good with 'Cherry Tree' being the neatest and artiest song.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice bridge between albums, December 28, 2007

By 

Scott Yanoff (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cherry Tree (Audio CD)

This EP is a nice bridge between albums. It contains "Murder Me Rachael" from Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers as well as "All the Wine" from Alligator. The last song's a dud, but don't let that stop you National fans from purchasing this album as most of the stuff starts to sound like what ended up becoming Alligator.