[Music] The National - Alligator [2005]

Artist: The National
Album: Alligator
Label: Beggars Banquet Records
Release Type: Standard Album
Released: April 12, 2005



Usually, it's never, or hardly ever Americans came up with a great piece of music like this. The last great American-release that I've listened to was from Sujfan Steven's Illinois (of course that was after Interpol). This New York based five piece have been on the scene, to a greater or lesser degree, since 1999, but theirs has been a gradual ascent (or descent, whichever way you want to look at it) into the music business, picking their way carefully through the pitfalls, rather than the head-first dive of bands like Bloc Party or Arcade Fire. They released their debut 'The National' on their own label four years ago, and followed it up with 'Songs For Dirty Lovers' in 2003. 'Alligator' is their first release on Beggars Banquet, which they recently signed.

Certainly the singer will remind many of Stuart Staples of the Tindersticks, Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen or even Lou Reed. Their music genre in general reminds me of Arcade Fire and a little bit of Interpol in Abel, probably has to do with their American origin. That said, and more importantly, these guys have their own things to say musically and lyrically, and the names mentioned should only be taken to give new listeners a sense of reference, but not to imply that The National's music owes anyone a major debt. They stand on their own, and they deliver a beautiful, heartfelt album, whether they rock or they long, when they turn the volume up and when they lower the lights.

There isn't a bad song on this record, the opening track," Secret Meeting" shines by managing to sound like a cross between Roxy Music and the Clash, a kind of rich, moody rock anthem. Secret Meeting is also one of the album's most quotable songs with its central line "I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain", and "Didn't anybody tell you how to gracefully disappear in a room?" among the eloquent highlights. Softer songs, including the funny "Looking for Astronauts" and the sad, elegiac "Daughters of the SoHo Riots," are be good ballads and probably the best American track yet this year.

The mood of the album is also difficult to easily pinpoint- they play the type of music that evokes images of dimly-lit bars filled with a haze of smoke or that of a chilly rainy days. Whereas before they nailed their `sad songs' colours to the mast- Alligator is a trickier, less-navigated emotional journey. While the majority of the tracks are downbeat and introspective, there is seemingly always sense of hope. 'Alligator' is a record for a long, dark night of the soul; it reflects your darkest emotions, yet carries with it a shred of optimism to which you can cling. At once intelligent, bitter and hopeful, The National skilfully forge a range of influences and instruments into a thing of genuine beauty.'Alligator' has to be one of the most underated release this year and perhaps one of the best band America has to offer.

I really can't recommend this album enough. It's unusual, lovely and mood manipulating. Maybe it's not a good thing huh, woke up with a happy face, and this album will turn you down to a grumpy piece of shit and yet it gives you a sense of hope. What a masterpiece.

My Fav Fav: All the songs are equally great but presently I cant get enough of The Geese of Beverly Road.

The National - The Geese of Beverly Road

We'll take ourselves out in the street
And wear the blood in our cheeks
Like red roses
We'll go from car to sleeping car
And whisper in their sleeping ears
We were here, we were here
We'll set off the geese of Beverly Road
Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome, totally genius
Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome

We won't be disappointed
We'll fight like girls for our place at the table
Our room on the floor
We'll set off the geese of Beverly Road

Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome, totally genius
Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome

We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world

We're drunk and sparking, our legs are open
Our hands are covered in cake
But I swear we didn't have any
I swear we didn't have any

Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome, totally genius
Hey, love, we'll get away with it
We'll run like we're awesome

We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world

Oh, come, come be my waitress and serve me tonight
Serve me the sky tonight
Oh, come, come be my waitress and serve me tonight
Serve me the sky with a big slice of lemon

We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world
We're the heirs to the glimmering world

Oh, come, come be my waitress and serve me tonight
Serve me the sky tonight
Oh, come, come be my waitress and serve me tonight
Serve me the sky with a big slice of lemon