Customer Reviews

The National

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For various work-related reasons, people are always giving me their CDs to listen to. A coworker bugged me for months to listen to this CD, but it wasn't until I put it in my car's rotation that I had time to listen to it. That was last week, and I've been listening to it almost constantly ever since. I love the resonance of his voice, the lyrics are fresh and intelligent, the songs are all listenable and just fantastic. I can't say enough good about it.

Though they've grown exponentially over the last two releases, The National arrived fully-born on this debut. Vocalist/lyricist Matt Berninger has only honed his sharp and honest voice, but that commitment to detail is all over these 12 tunes. They plumb the Amerindie sound without redefining it; instead, they join an honorable lineage that includes Warren Zevon, Matthew Sweet, R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, and, especially, Afghan Whigs. There's a bit more gentility here than on Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers or Alligitor; with luck, they will just get rougher and rougher. The mire becomes them.

On the strength of one song, "Son", I bought this CD. Since then, I've replayed that one along with "John's Stars" and "Pay for Me" a hundred times. Overall, the songs are polished but still show enough scratches and dents to have an interesting finish, moody but not morose. I did sometimes wish Matt Berninger would have ripped a Tom Waits howls now and then...some of the songs just begged for it. In the end, though, I'd recommend this CD to my favorite friends.

I have Sad Songs, Alligator, Boxer, and High Violet. I had put off getting this album and the Cherry Tree EP, just so I would have something to look forward to when I did eventually make the purchase.....Man, I wish I hadn't waited so long. This album is great. The first 6 songs are amazing straight through, if you haven't picked up this album or checked these guys out, you really need to. See them live if you ever have the opportunity. Great great band, great album. Catchy, beautiful guitar sounds, drums sound so crisp. Nothing bad to say here.

My favorite National record is still the latest one (Boxer) but this record has more than a handful of classic National songs.

Anyone who is a fan of the band had best give this record the time it deserves.

Don't get me wrong, Alligator and Boxer are excellent but this is The National's best album, in my opinion anyway. Openers don't get much better then "Beautiful Head" (okay maybe not better then "I'm trying to break your heart). If you've listened to Boxer, Alligator, or even sad songs.. you might be suprised about how different this one is. Self titled has a much countryisher sound to it then their later work, but the lyrics are obviously The National. From the upbeat twang of "Pay for me" to the absolute rawness of "29 years" and to the romantic feel of "watching you well", this album delivers on every single song, please buy.

I already have Alligator, Boxer, and Sad Songs, And this is yet another great addition. I haven't had it very long yet, so some songs are still growing on me, typical of The National. Anyways, Beautiful Head and American Mary are the best songs on here. 29 Years is really good too, Berringer reprised it at the end of "Slow Show" on Boxer. Aside from that, the other songs are good, but not their best. This is a good debut album, and Beautiful Head and American Mary are in my top "The National" Songs. As I've said in other reviews, if you're new to The National, get Alligator, and let it grow on you.

cd delivered even before estimated, in perfect conditions. and I like The National very much.

John's Star and Son are super. John's Star has a rolling rhythm, great drums and neat background instruments. Son begins with a Native American-type beat.

I could listen to this album every day. It's that good. This is coming from a guy who had to fill his 400 CD random player to keep things interesting.

I won't analyze The National's album. I wouldn't want to taint your perception.