Which album should i get? Never given them a listen before.
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All of them
but start with Alligator.
What
type of sound are they?
Hmmm
difficult one that. Elements of Nick Cave, Okkervil River and arguably Interpol in their sound but they're pretty unique. Really sober, brooding but beautiful music.
i think
i heard more of an interpol sound on boxer, but i dont know if thats partially down to their producer mibbies.
...
thought both alligator and boxer were recorded by Peter Katis?
i always say
early Coldplay crossed with Interpol's coolest moments, though that description does put a lot of people off, and tons of people disagree with me, so...
the American
Elbow
^ that's a hell of a shout
Agreed.
That description made me say 'wow'.
none of them
they are a boring band.
^ nah
^ wrong
Boxer
is probably the most accessible. But Aligator is probably just as good.
Boxer
takes a little while to get into, but when you do..
^ true dat
I think
I would genuinely consider it in my top 10 records ever.
I think
I would genuinely consider it in my top 10 records ever.
but you had to think twice
:D
^this
.
BAM!
Start with Boxer
Alligator is probably their best. Cherry tree has some of their best songs though. SSFDL is good but it's different to the other albums.
I'd say
get the Cherry Tree ep. it's a little bit less rocky, but is just so lovely.
I've always
recommended Alligator first and everyone has loved it. You need to give it a little time though...
start with Alligator - give it three listens before you judge
then Boxer
I prefer
albums that take a few listens. Like TOTBL, more amazing with every listen.
i started with boxer
but i think i prefer alligator now. you can't really go wrong with either of those two.
in the long run
boxer is a better album in total, but you can't falter the last few tracks off alligator, probably their most consistent set of songs in terms of a mood
I think
Samey, but good. If thats possible.
Boxer is a modern classic
Buy. Buy it now.
i've only heard
Boxer. but I thought it was quality.
i'd seen them once on Jools Holland and thought they were dead boring but my flatmate played Boxer and I really liked it
I had a truly terrible day yesterday
But its amazing how Alligator can resolve that in 5 minutes.
I think its the greatest album ever. I really do...
it's in my top five
it is an exceptional album.
^^
It's almost perfect. But i love everything they have done. Even the debut
At ATP Though?!
i'm a big fan and consider Alligator their best followed by Boxer. Seen 3 times now as well.
Question - anyone else find it odd they are are at EITS ATP? I'm not complaining and will definately go see them again, but they seem to stick out like a sore thumb in the line-up....
tis
an interesting move to have them at ATP, they are a bit of a 'known name' but they will still be amazing. I find Matt a mesmorising front man, he completely dominates a stage yet barely moves. Captivating.
As far as what albums to listen to, start with Alligator. It has the biggest 'tunes' on it, stuff like Mr. November and Abel can't fail to hit the mark. Then go to Boxer before going back to The National and Dirty Songs. In a way the last two albums have completely overshadowed the earlier work, though going back to them shows you how much they have improved.
^^^this
although, Sad Songs is a really really good album also.
Definately check out Cherry Tree aswell, its a bit mellower but it really does hit the spot
Just Been Revisiting Sad Songs
I have to say that it pales in comparison to Boxer, Alligator and even Cherry Tree. I'd only really bother with Slipping Husband, 90 Mile Water Wall and Available (the latter is the absolute bollocks). No need to bother with Murder Me Rachael, the live version on Cherry Tree is much better.
hmm
i can definately see your point. I'm quite fond of Patterns of Fairytales...
you can start seeing the genius in it though in parts. The lyrics on Cardinal Song always stop me in my tracks. And 90 Mile Water-Wall is the start of the heartwrenching strings and lyrics...
on Murder Me Rachael - i think it really doesnt fit onto Cherry Tree. Its a bit of a random upbeat live thing on a really Sombre record (i think i listened to it maybe 3-6 nights a week before going to sleep last year).
Vincent Moon's film on the making of boxer/the b-sides thing is out next week also.. or it could be out this week (i don't know!)
oh god yes
Available is incredible. I feel so lucky I saw them play that at Koko in 2006, it was scorching live and I don't think they play it any more.
i need a life
the only two off sad songs they've done in the past year have been Murder Me Rachael and Lucky You (very, very occasionally).
don't worry
encyclopediac knowledge of a band's setlists is COOL. I used to have a similar thing with REM.
i really don't blame you
if it makes you feel better, in one of the REM bios (adventures in hifi?) they printed every setlist of every gig they'd done (it was published before Reveal i think....)
Speaking of which
how good is the REM support for their US tour? Seems unfair really, the septics get The National and Modest Mouse and we get Editors and Guillomots...
Fuckin' terrible band.
yeah? so's your face!
KIDDING
I actually love this band a ridiculous amount. I just thought I'd mix it up a bit, considering all my other posts about The National have been examples of gushing sycophancy.
Alligator definitely
I was given it a year ago for my birthday and was completely swept away. Now consider them to be one of my favourite bands
Start with Alligator
then get Boxer (<3 Gospel) and then get Cherry Tree and Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. So, in short, just get everything.
Except the first record
The National. Thats not very good.
If you can find them, get the free mp3's they recorded for a french radio station of various Boxer tracks played acoustically. Stunning stuff.
I'd love to see them at ATP, but I'm not going. The Astoria gig was the worst I'd seen them due to the sound and the gut feeling they were still finding their feet with the new material. I reckon a few months on, it'd be superb
I like the first record
In fact overall I prefer it to Sad Songs., although Sad Songs has better individual tracks like 90 Mile Water Wall and Available.
Phew
All this talk of the National is giving me a hard on.
Buy all of their albums, then start listening with Alligator.
Agree with most of what has been said
In order I'd get:
Alligator
Boxer
Cherry Tree
The really early stuff is quite passable but just doesn't have the magic that has brought them into prominence.
The 'American Elbow' is a genius comparison by the way...
About today
is amazing. Well worth getting off itunes and very accessible.
heard boxer
and thought hmmmm. They are a bit interpoly. Dunno about their other records. Read a review inj Vice and it said "it sounds like the OC if it was set in Cleveland and everyone was 40 and ugly and pensive"
I thought that was pretty bang on to be honest
And you can hear it on their myspace...
Another mention
should go to the 'Mistaken For Strangers' EP, which has Blank Slate and Santa Clara on it, the latter being an absolute gem. Basically anything done by them in the last 4 years or so is pure gold...
Get them all.
Start with Alligator though. I think.
I love this band so, so much!
I listened to Boxer for the 1st time the other day.....
and thought to myself thats shite, on 2nd listen i thought to myself thats is still shite and on 3rd listen I decided never to listen to it again cos its shite boring!
I feel sorry for you.
^^^^^I really wanted to like it.....
as so many friends dig them but it just did nothing for me. I will get their other album and give it a spin, see if that does anything!
Not getting
the American Elbow comparison. Comparisons are usually shit, but this one is particularly bad.
I think the American Elbow comparison
comes from them conjuring images of drunken melancholy and regret, in the same way that Elbow have unfortunately been described as 'the drinking man's Coldplay'...
I'm getting nervous
Na na na na na na na
i got
alligator and i like it, need to give it a few more listens but does get better with each play.
will try boxer next jusdging by peoples comments. love bands like this, thanks everyone
Im all about Alligator
That album was the soundtrack to last summer.
Boxer, for some reason, I've never really gotten into.....
Really must give it a few more listens.
Alligator is like whisky and coke
Boxer is more like a liqueur coffee.
^ Jack and coke
Spilt on your collar
the virginia ep
is mint
boxer or alligator
but the other 2 and cherry tree are grrrreat too