The National

[Beefsteak1138]

You just don't get it Arby.

[mja271]

I really liked the new stuff live. I think they could've spaced it out a bit better in the setlist but it all mostly sounded really good. In general I'm interested to see how this material will be utilized once we are past this promotional cycle. Initially I'd say they would 100% need guest vocalists to continue to play these songs live in the future but I'm not so sure now. There were some differences from the album cuts that made the songs a bit more Matt-centric...he sang the entirety of Hey Rosey, sang all the lead on So Far So Fast, sang the second verse of Rylan. The only ones that I saw in DC that would probably outwardly suffer without a female vocalist are Oblivions, Where Is Her Head and to a lesser extent The Pull of You. Curious to see their touring band configuration in a few years.

[Jordan#41]

Originally Posted by mja271

I really liked the new stuff live. I think they could've spaced it out a bit better in the setlist but it all mostly sounded really good. In general I'm interested to see how this material will be utilized once we are past this promotional cycle. Initially I'd say they would 100% need guest vocalists to continue to play these songs live in the future but I'm not so sure now. There were some differences from the album cuts that made the songs a bit more Matt-centric...he sang the entirety of Hey Rosey, sang all the lead on So Far So Fast, sang the second verse of Rylan. The only ones that I saw in DC that would probably outwardly suffer without a female vocalist are Oblivions, Where Is Her Head and to a lesser extent The Pull of You. Curious to see their touring band configuration in a few years.

The way it should be.

[iMAC386]

Originally Posted by mja271

I really liked the new stuff live. I think they could've spaced it out a bit better in the setlist but it all mostly sounded really good. In general I'm interested to see how this material will be utilized once we are past this promotional cycle. Initially I'd say they would 100% need guest vocalists to continue to play these songs live in the future but I'm not so sure now. There were some differences from the album cuts that made the songs a bit more Matt-centric...he sang the entirety of Hey Rosey, sang all the lead on So Far So Fast, sang the second verse of Rylan. The only ones that I saw in DC that would probably outwardly suffer without a female vocalist are Oblivions, Where Is Her Head and to a lesser extent The Pull of You. Curious to see their touring band configuration in a few years.

Good info, thanks.

[mdel21]

Two more sleeps until the show

[Arby]

I was eyeing the weather for Friday, but it looks like we're in the clear!! fingers crossed

Grabbed my Chicago Pit/GA ticket this morning

[thebridge15]

Originally Posted by Arby

I was eyeing the weather for Friday, but it looks like we're in the clear!! fingers crossed

Grabbed my Chicago Pit/GA ticket this morning

I've been doing the same

[mdel21]

Mostly enjoyed the show on Friday. The two ladies singing sounded a little too much like the lady from Arcade Fire on a few songs. We were about 3 people from the rail which was cool. Got a few great shots of Matt. I did have a drunk kid (mid-20s) show up about 3/4s of the way through that kept leaning on me and shouting the lyrics. Really ruined the end of the show for me. I hope that wasn't any of you.

My buddy that came with me hadn't seen them live yet, and was pumped to be that close. So I'm happy he enjoyed himself.

[laura22]

very late to the game. attempted the album in may but it wasn't clicking so i stopped

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Seems like this band has forgotten what’s made their songs so captivating. Lyrics are as good as ever. Melodies completely gone making most songs forgettable

Originally Posted by grace2

i really didn't love the album after my first listen, but i'm sure it will grow on me. i thought the not in kansas song was ... pretty boring

Originally Posted by Beefsteak1138

Still a middle of the pack album for me, with a few stand-out tracks. But still, a middle of the pack National album is like a top tier album for most other bands.

agree with the above

"where is her head" is one of their best songs of the decade IMO. it's addicting. #alligator

[thebridge15]

they really should have cut everything after where is her head besides rylan

[kelchlsm]

Originally Posted by thebridge15

they really should have cut everything after where is her head besides rylan

Youre also missing So Far So Fast and Light Years

[Arby]

Originally Posted by thebridge15

they really should have cut everything after where is her head besides rylan

Originally Posted by kelchlsm

Youre also missing So Far So Fast and Light Years

booo


Love this album. Its different yes, but its great.

[thebridge15]

Originally Posted by kelchlsm

Youre also missing So Far So Fast and Light Years

fine by me

light years is fine. but otherwise there's just vast expanses of not in kansas and the interlude songs that are so boring

[DMBCardinal]

Yeah, for me this album was forgettable. Some good songs on there, but I would rank it towards the bottom of their catalog.

[Jordan#41]

I consider SWB far superior to this album.

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by laura22

"where is her head" is one of their best songs of the decade IMO. it's addicting. #alligator

It was definitely the standout live, although I think a lot of the lesser songs translated well in a live setting.

Speaking of which, I hadn't checked this thread for awhile and didn't realize so many of us attended the Chicago show. We definitely need to plan some sort of meet-and-greet next time.

[thebridge15]

I did find all of the new songs (minus not in kansas) to be very enjoyable live

[mdel21]

There are a few songs with where the female vocals are dominant and I don't really care for the singer's voice. Mainly Where is Her Head, Dust Swirls, and IAETF.

[iMAC386]

This is cool:

On April 22, 2019, we took the stage at NYC’s famed Beacon Theatre for “A Special Evening With The National,” one of a series of five unique sold-out events in Paris, London, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles where we performed songs from our new album and Mike Mills-directed short film I Am Easy To Find starring Alicia Vikander.

Now we are thrilled to announce the release of 'The National: I Am Easy To Find, Live From New York’s Beacon Theatre' via Amazon Prime Video and 'The National: Live From New York’s Beacon Theatre (#AmazonOriginal) EP' via Amazon Music. Both the film and digital EP will be available this Friday, August 23rd.

This concert documentary directed by La Blogothèque includes a complete performance of the album, special only to the Beacon show, with guest appearances from the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Julien Baker, Kate Stables of This Is The Kit and mina tindle.

Watch the trailer and listen to our performance of Rylan now at https://thenational.ffm.to/rylanlive

[iMAC386]

Anyone know where to find National concert posters? I was at the L.A. show last night and the poster sold out before they even started playing and I want one bad...not having any luck finding it for re-sale online so far.

[Climb2safety]

Heading to the new Mission ballroom in Denver to see these guys.

Cold turkey, the only song I know is from a cover another group does.

Time to see what’s up.

[jasonfilatov]

Quiet Light, Oblivions, The Pull of You, Hey Rosey, Where is Her Head, and Rylan are all top National tunes. Saw the band live in Seattle two weeks ago. Kate and Mina should stick around and add harmonies to older tunes. This band is on fire. Dessners are geniuses.

[TheLastStop123]

Don’t think I’ve played a song more this year than Rylan. Think it’ll end up being my SOTY. Chills every time.

[joshizzle3]

Last night I saw this play CYRANO, with music written by Aaron and Bryce and lyrics by Matt and Caryn. Stars Peter Dinklage as Cyrano de Bergerac. I was amazed at how similar his voice is to Matt's. Could honestly imagine these songs coming out of the Trouble Will Find Me era- some of them would totally fit in a National set. Strongly recommend anyone in NYC to catch it, off broadway now at the Daryl Roth Theater.

Also on a personal note I met Matt for the first time which was really cool!! Bryce and Aaron were there as well, I guess since the show just opened on Friday.

[Jordan#41]

Matt's doing a solo album - Serpentine Prison

No single/release date yet.

https://pitchfork.com/news/the-natio...entine-prison/

[iMAC386]

Saw this last night, super excited. You can hear a preview of a song with Phoebe Bridgers on social media.

[Jordan#41]

Originally Posted by iMAC386

Saw this last night, super excited. You can hear a preview of a song with Phoebe Bridgers on social media.

I don't think that will be on the album (although I could be wrong) the song was written for the Between to Ferns movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a17sJFSSds

[kelchlsm]

This Walking on a string song is amazing

[clayj41]

I already bought pre-sale tickets for next year's Homecoming without seeing the lineup, which was just announced this morning:

https://www.ntlhomecoming.com

I believe that's also the first time it's been revealed that the band will be playing High Violet in full in one of their two weekend sets.

[Arby]

Originally Posted by clayj41

I already bought pre-sale tickets for next year's Homecoming without seeing the lineup, which was just announced this morning:

https://www.ntlhomecoming.com

I believe that's also the first time it's been revealed that the band will be playing High Violet in full in one of their two weekend sets.

oy, this is so tempting. HV is my favorite of theirs.