Comments on: Decade :: The National, Boxer (2007)

By: John IG

John IG — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:51:29 +0000

@cqmurphy: I had never heard of the National before I read this, but I’ve listened to this record now, and I do find it beautiful, I like the complexities lying under the simple voice, I think it works well, and more than anything it feels urgent because of it (like the reviewer said). Maybe it just appeals to people who have experienced what they are talking about, the mind-numbing-ness of the common inelegance of adulthood and trying to not fall into it. Maybe I’m just at the stage where I’m seeing that inevitability even for people who are doing creative things, and that’s why this record speaks to me.

By: scott

scott — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:03:53 +0000

i don’t think comparing the national to the strokes is very accurate. have you ever seen the national? they are certainly not all that cool or suave. also, the strokes were more or less, an overnight sensation. the national toured the country playing shit holes and had 2 LP’s out before alligator. i suppose some people think it’s “cool” to like the national but i really believe they succeeded on the strength of their songwriting and live shows.

By: Nickbert

Nickbert — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:40:10 +0000

I first encountered the National via Alligator, and although I agree with this review, I find their best effort IMHO is The National, The National. it would be the National selection on my decade list.

Check out “Bitters & Absolut” for some incredibly insightful lyrics and a beautiful song structure or “Pay for me”. Funny enough, I know a number of people who agree with cqmurphy on Boxer, who have honestly tried to get it, and don’t and I think that’s great because what bore it would be if we all agreed on taste!

By: Buck502000

Buck502000 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:13:19 +0000

Hands down green gloves, saw it live.

By: cqmurphy

cqmurphy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:35:56 +0000

i HAVE heard fake empire. i find the vocal arrestingly beautiful, but the whole drums playing in a different meter than the rest of the track is really distracting. it sounds very forced – like the band is being rather obtuse about the possibility of this song being immediately accessible. i have listened to this whole record through 3 or 4 times and i just don’t get it. makes me sad.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:59:28 +0000

Nice review and fantastic record. @cqmurphy Have you heard “Fake Empire”?

I’m more a fan of Alligator than The Boxer, but both are easily amongst the best of the past 10 years.

By: alejandro

alejandro — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:03:19 +0000

Off tne subject, but The Yahoo Player is skipping these two tracks and jumps righ into The Roots, there must be something wrong with the link…

By: C. Greene

C. Greene — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:22:27 +0000

I have to agree with cqmurphy on this one. The National, like The Strokes, are sort of like George Clooney. They pervade a sense of coolness that far too many people buy into when, in essence, there is very little substance there at all.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:32:34 +0000

great review, but “Fake Empire” is clearly their best dish.

By: cqmurphy

cqmurphy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:56:14 +0000

i have been pretty on-board with the general sense of greatness surrounding many of this decade’s notable releases and have agreed whole-heartdely with all of the “Decade” features here @AD thus far; but the “greatness” of this album has been lost on me since the initial buzz around its release. i am not the type to disparage musicians for their vision, but i never liked anything about this record at all. i would be fine to simply file it the “no thank you” bin, but it is SO lauded, even REVERED, in the classicist sector of the indie rock community that i cannot help but feel like there’s something i must have missed here. can someone that loves this album please email at cqmurphy AT gmail DOT com to with some sort of “in” or “hook” to this record so i can have another go at not feeling ignorant.

By: Jimmy B

Jimmy B — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:02:17 +0000

I turned on to The National with Alligator which I thought was amazing front to back. I then discovered their previous two full lengths and ep. Then comes Boxer. Love their progression as a band. Congrats and keep it going.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:31:58 +0000

I comment rarely, but this short review is a sharp summary of the power of the record. nice work.

By: Ste

Ste — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:16:11 +0000

This is certainly one of my most cherished listening experiences of what has been an excellent decade. Best of all, it only keeps on revealing itself as you listen further.

Thanks for summing up the many charms of ‘Boxer’ so eloquently.