Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I still don't appreciate Centipede much because the band lost their essence and it sounded like a studio chore that was over worked and over embellished with distracting elements to its ultimate detriment....



Just a minute! This is the Centipede Hz of National albums. Both have three great songs another three or so good 'uns and then some average to poor dreck.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

There's something about 'Not in Kansas' - that could be the sleeper classic or it might be ever so slightly off. Definitely the only track I found intriguing.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Centipede is best AnCo besides Feels, imo. This is best National besides TWFM but it’s rivaling that one. But yeah this has that supreme burrito smashed against a windshield feel to it. Maybe that’s why I love it so much.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I can see someone preferring the sonic busy'ness of such albums. Both are lacking in the well written tunes department for me though.



Starting my second listen at 'Quiet Light' was a good choice - the opener is in danger of poisoning all my listens of this. QL is ok, quite a light 4 though and it was my favourite on my first listen.



This album is in danger of making SWB seem lively and fascinating lol

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Funny because this album is hurting my views of SWB because it’s over the top nature makes SWB seem boring

It’s cliche but this is TWFM pumped up a notch. The album cover does allude to TWFM and High Violet and I can see this being the baby of the two albums. I agree with you, Doofy, sometimes but we just gotta disagree on this one.

Album Rating: 2.0

I feel this is far more of a direct follow-up to TWFM than SWB was, from the light and somewhat free-floating melodies to Matt's vocals (not as deep or mumbly). "Rylan" even reminds me of a lot of "Graceless."

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

This is OTT? Compared to songs like Turtleneck and The System? Don't hear that.



This is very busy, but also uniform and beige in its overall aesthetic to my ears. Constant droning Radiohead 'Moon Shaped'esque strings and clunky programmed drums on every other song irrespective of whether they really fit in.



I will admit 'Empire Line' and 'I'll Still Destroy You' were quite dull along the lines of much here.



But classic National like 'Nobody Else', melody highs like 'Guilty Party' and genuinely fascinating experiments in the SWB t/t put this album in the shade imo

Album Rating: 4.1

Rylan is an old choon from the high violet days so unsurprising a lot of people like it

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Tracks 5-8 are the biggest slog since the debut yikes thank the lord for 'Where is Her Head'

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Gut the middle of SWB and put in the best songs here and ramp down the female vox a shade and you'd have had one 5/5 album tbh



1. Nobody Else [4.5]

2. Day I Die [4]

3. Walk it Back [4.5]

4. The System [5]

5. Quiet Light [4]

6. Where is Her Head [4]

7. Not in Kansas [4]

8. Rylan [4]

9. Gulity Party [5]

10. Carin at the liquor Store [4.5]

11. Light Years [3] (it's sweet and harmless enough)

12. Sleep Well Beast [5]



You're missing nothing with that playlist really

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Or you can appreciate SWB and see this as the better sibling.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

This sibling might be more agreeable and unified...but also she's a little bland compared to her older brother.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

This is way more diverse than SWB

as this website's official REM scholar i just want to say that I fully support the reference in Not in Kansas.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Brushed lol how?



Turtleneck was pure goofball rock.

Day I Die was stadium indie rock.

System was a guitar solo (only National with a solo?) sporting anthem.

Title track was an all electronic spoken word effort.

Carin was a folk-ish stripped back song.

Nobody else was classic stately National.

Guilty Party was twinkly Radiohead-ish.



None of those songs sound at all similar really (beyond being recognisably The National obvs)



This is incredibly unified with the same elements in nearly every song :/



SWB being tonally off in the middle was its biggest weakness for me. It didn't flow well enough. This flows ok maybe too well, it blurs together and there is definitely filler here - even this album's biggest fans don't say every song is a classic. Ah well differing opinions.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

'"Rylan" even reminds me of a lot of "Graceless."'



Yeah every song/melody here seems a poor relation to former glories near enough

Album Rating: 1.0 | Sound Off

This is very busy, but also uniform and beige in its overall aesthetic to my ears. Constant droning Radiohead 'Moon Shaped'esque strings and clunky programmed drums on every other song irrespective of whether they really fit in.



You don't like AMSP? :O

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

No I do like 'Moon Shaped' a lot (4.5 rating) - they drone here because they're utilised poorly or at least unimaginatively

Album Rating: 4.0

Anyone know what tracks Carin does vocals on if any? Is it her talking in the Pull of You?

I think this will be grower. I haven't listened to everything but "Oblivions" and the t/t stand out.