duggup

Artist: The National
Website: www.myspace.com/thenational or www.americanmary.com/
Track Name: Slipping Husband is from their 2003 album “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers”
Playback: mp3/flash
Download?: Yes

So many great songs and I have to choose only one… which one… ummm … OK while I dither you can talk amongst yourselves or goto the myspace site and listen to the songs on offer there (if you come up with a fave send me a comment)

NPR in the states wrote

The National’s intricate wordplay, catchy choruses and elegant arrangements have earned the Brooklyn-based indie-rock band comparisons to groups both stately (The Tindersticks) and unpredictable (Pixies). Formed in 1999, The National combines countrified folk and traditional rock, with a hauntingly reflective feel that gets under the skin.

Well I agree with the “gets under the skin” bit. The Nationals latest album is full of choice songs. The track “Fake Empire” has vocalist Matt Berninger channelling Nick Cave, there really interesting guitar textures all over, clever clever hooks, and a “not a hair out of place” arrangement.

Then there is “Secret Meeting”, it reminds me of a Bruce Springsteen song that has missed a sharp left corner and left the highway, you hold your breath as you wonder if they are going to walk away from the sudden stop.

And “Mistaken For Strangers” is darkly claustrophobic and echoes Joy Division and The Birthday Party down through the ages, and “All The Wine” with it’s layers of delicate guitars party chorus.

There is a ton of buzz and hype behind this band but I believe it’s well earned. The lyrics are more a word association flurry of images than a story that has a start a middle and an end. But the I find them banging around in my brain long after the song has finished.

Not to be missed. and I think I will go with “Secret Meetings”. No, No, No, “Fake Empire”. Yep that’s the one… or maybe “All The Wine”.. I think I’ll just sit here and keep listening, I’m sure I’ll come to a decision eventually

Maybe “Mistaken For Strangers”?

thatch is fascinated by guitars, music, guitars, production, silly noises, guitars and used to be a musician. Did I mention the thing about the guitars?
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