The National - Boxer

Fuck it, consider me on the bandwagon.

After months of hearing the hype surrounding The National's latest album, Boxer, and months of hearing how great it was (after it leaked on the internet in March), I was ready to not like this album. I was going to be the only blogger out there not to rant and rave about Matt Berninger's dark baritone vocals and the tight instrumentation, and Café Eclectica Music would be the only publication not to list Boxer in their Top 10 Albums of the Year. After taking a serious listen today, all of this has changed, my friends, all of this has changed.

The National was formed in 1999 by Berninger and two sets of brothers, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf, all of whom came from Cincinnati. Boxer is their fourth full-length release since 2001, following The National, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, and 2005's sensational effort, Alligator, which was named Album of the Year by Uncut, The LA Times and a few others. While the album leaked in March, it was not officially released until May 22, where it debuted at #68 on the Billboard 200.
While I saw the guys open for Arcade Fire at Radio City, I missed their five-night residency at Bowery Ballroom last week, and the more I listen to the album, the more I kick myself for not going.

Boxer is a beautiful album. From start to finish, the songs flow smoothly and effortlessly, bringing a sense of melancholy and heartache. The music isn't overly heartache-y, though, a lot of that feeling is brought directly from Berninger's deeply mournful voice ("Green Gloves," "Fake Empire). The great thing is that despite this desolate feel, the album also brings a bit of an edge on certain songs, creating some much needed upbeat variation ("Mistaken for Strangers," "Guest Room"). While there are not many songs widely considered great hit singles, every track is great. Not good - great.

It's also an album that may have to grow on you - when I casually listened to it over the past few weeks I didn't fall in love - it wasn't until I really paid attention to the musicality and lyricism that I truely fell for this album. Give it some time, give it a real listen, and if you are disappointed I will be boldly surprised. The band sums up my current state most accurately - I'm "dumbstruck baby" ("Racing Like a Pro").

[mp3] The National - "Green Gloves"

[mp3] The National - "Start a War"

Official Website | Buy the Album | More mp3s! | YouTube