Comes out in about a month. I know a lot of people here enjoy them, but in the grand scheme of thing they are a very underrated band. Alligator...wow! One of the best albums of 2005 and a definite grower.

Anyway their new album has leaked already. It's odd, I don't find it immediately catchy or even as accomplished as Alligator but I can't stop listening. This album could have benefited from a few rockers in the fashion of "Abel" or "Lit Up", but still some very solid songs. "Fake Empire" is probably just as good as "All the Wine" from Alligator. As always Bryan Devendorf's keeps the music from staying stagnated, and Berringer's baritone seems a little more fleshed out and melodic.

Anybody else pumped to pick this up?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vypa,

I like the first two songs, but after that I think it's a really boring yet well executed album. The musicianship is excellent, the drumming is great, I like the singer's voice, but there are just no hooks, no choruses, and no good melodies to be found here. Even the first two songs aren't that great, just pretty good.

I really love Alligator, and I don't think that one had a weak track, but even on that record I thought the rockers like "Mr. November" and "Abel" were the best songs. Here's to hoping this really good band busts out the rock on their next album. I expect Boxer to get mediocre reviews across the board. Hopefully, they'll get the message.

I'm with RL here. The singer may have a fantastic Leonard Cohen sound going for him, but that does not a thrilling rock song make. Abel, Lit Up, and Mr. November were great National songs because they had energy. However, I've been enjoying Boxer... though it's certainly not as catchy as Alligator. Ada, Slow Show, Apartment Song and Fake Empires are all very good songs, and this'll probably be one I end up buying.

Also, it's also nice to find an indie rock band whose lead singer isn't a tenor.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chamberk,

Boxer is a good album. I have no idea how "great" it might turn out to be, but I don't really see this one growing into a phenomenon the same way Alligator did. But I'm not really out to compare it to Alligator.

I love The National because they just happen to hit the right wavelength for me. A certain lyric here, a melody and guitar riff there, they just seem to push the right buttons. Despite a lack of 'anthems', Boxer continues to do that for me, and I'll be just as excited to hear Brainy and Apartment Story as I will Abel on their upcoming tour. True, Mr. November continues to be their emotional pinnacle, but in a way I respect the fact they're not trying to duplicate that. At least not for now.

They've established enough of a trackrecord for me (between Sad Songs, Cherry Tree, Alligator, and this one) for me to not really worry anymore which album is better. At this point, I basically shuffle all of their songs from all albums into my own "The National kick a*s" playlist and go from there.

Boxer is streaming here. Pretty good listen, not great. I agree sortof with what someone said above. Their sound is fantastic, the singer is unique in a good way, its just lacking the hooks. The opener is great, though.

I would say that this is around my #7 or 8 of the year right now. It's a grower, like I said - not gripping at first, but the songs have staying power. Despite a lack of hooks, this album has its claws in me.

Yeah, I haven't really been able to put my finger on it, but I'm really, really digging this album. I listen to it about once or twice a week and each time it sounds fresh and invigorating. Very euphonic album.

I've been listening to this once a day for 3-4 days now, and I agree its a grower. I take back the lack of hooks comment as well. They're there, they're just subtle. A song like "Slow Show" for example just blended into the walls before and was nothing special. Now it really hits home. This is now definitely feeling like the kind of record I can really, really get into to.

8.6 from the fork. And not only that but they made amends for their sub-8.0 score they gave to Alligator several years ago.

I got the leak a while back, and was meaning to post about how much I liked it, but Pitchfork had to go and review it early. Now I just like another Pitchfork Know-It-All.

Whatever. It's a really good album, if not a bit more subdued than certain tracks off Alligator ("Mr. November").

I'll have to give it a little more attention. I heard a stream a couple weeks ago, and I was initially a little disappointed since it lacked the dynamics Alligator had. A lot of folks have noted it's a bit of a grower though, so we'll see. Given how much I enjoyed Alligator, I won't give up on it too quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
I'll have to give it a little more attention. I heard a stream a couple weeks ago, and I was initially a little disappointed since it lacked the dynamics Alligator had. A lot of folks have noted it's a bit of a grower though, so we'll see. Given how much I enjoyed Alligator, I won't give up on it too quickly.

i'd definitely call this one a grower. i've had an advance version for two weeks now and i've been steadily listening to it more often.

Kind of different reaction for me on this album as opposed to Alligator. It took me quite a while to get around their 2005 album but Boxer appealed to me after only a few listens. It does have a calmer, less dynamic sound but they do it well here. It's a pretty solid album and I am liking it plenty right now.

First reaction: Boring. I know, no one's supposed to have a first reaction, or at least keep it.

That was my first reaction too, Mark. It hasn't changed much either. I've never heard so many insipid songs so brilliantly executed. The superior musicianship can't save the tired songs, however. I do love their drummer though.

I'm listening to the stream for the first time right now. LOVE it.

np: "Guest Room"

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
LOVE it.

Same.

quote:

Originally posted by m.leland:

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
LOVE it.

Same.

Same here, too. One of the best of the year.

I've only heard a few of the songs, but it's very good, from what I've heard of them.

Sporting a cumulative score of 89. *Boing*. I honestly had this album pegged as receving so-so reviews. Looks like the sites did their homework.