Album Rating: 3.5

track 1 is basically their last album but this time they're trying

Album Rating: 2.5

Probably their weakest album but it has some good stuff

Album Rating: 3.0

Every time I read a kid a comparison it hurts

The songwriting and performance is not similar in the least and the production is similar at best

Album Rating: 4.0

@gyro do you remember their first two albums?

Album Rating: 2.5

I honestly just hate how monotonous Matt sounds on most of this. Almost every song drags and nothing is as fun or beautiful as Trouble. And this definitely has next to nothing in common with Kid A

Album Rating: 4.5

My review does say only the last song musically could even start to be compared to Kid A - just in case you were thinking I was that guy

Album Rating: 4.5

Ranked/Rated after approx twelve or so full listens:



1. Sleep Well Beast [5/5] (this is a genius way to close the album)

2. Guilty Party [5/5] (love the live version too)

3. The System Only Dreams [5/5] (stunning chorus, the solo with female backing vox behind is ace)

4. Walk it Back [5/5] (the one that gets under your skin over time, possibly the track that most defines the album)

5. Carin at the Liquor Store [4.5] (straightforward 'Pink Rabbit'sy near-classic)

6. Dark Side of the Gym [4.5] (instrumentation and atmosphere are sublime and elevate the song a .5)

7. Empire Line [4.5] (another grower, all about when that heavier beat enters)

8. Nobody Else [4] (understated but has a subtle majesty to it, great use of overlaid female backing vox)

9. Born to Beg [4] (strong deep album cut)

10. Day I Die [4] (you need a rocker. To clarify, you need a rocker that isn't 'turtleneck').

11. I'll Still Destroy You [3.5] (the least appealing melodies on the album for me but the instrumentation and coda nearly bump this to a 4...maybe they will in time).

12. Turtleneck [3] (oh turtleneck, I kinda love you, I don't know, you also sorta do my head in. Maybe a 3.5. Definitely not a 5).

Hm never heard of this band, maybe i'll give it a go!

Album Rating: 4.5

Take your time with them ALA, they might not blow your mind on a first spin

Wait a minute, I HAVE listened to these guys. I've heard Alligator and Boxer a lot, and I think High Violet. Completely forgot lol. I guess that kind of makes sense though because I don't remember being impressed by those albums. Boxer was the worst but it and High Violet had the best highlights(except Val Jester). I can't believe I read the review and completely forgot the band!

Well, I might like them more with this release, I might not. Guess it's time to try it. I really like the review and to me it highlights your qualities as a reviewer, but I think you compare them too much to Radiohead. It's almost ironic that you spend the first few sentences saying their career can't be compared to the likes of R.E.M. and Radiohead - but then you constantly compare band members and even albums to Radiohead. But maybe that's just me. Pos.

Album Rating: 4.5

The only comparisons I make to Radiohead are:



- the band members behaved like Radiohead exploring a load of side projects now they're arrived at the same sort of career level.

- Dessner does remind me of Greenwood, as he has launched into a lot of very arty projects.

- I say there was an anticipation from the indie community this would be a 'Kid A' as the band were dabbling in electronics.

- then I say the only way you could musically compare this to 'Kid A' is through the closing track.



That's not really comparing with Radiohead much - most of that is saying musically they have next to no similarity :/

Album Rating: 4.0

sorry man, nothing can be compared to kid a

Well your first part is saying that there is no comparison because the National started when they were already at an older age, but then you compare the band mates to Radiohead, then you talk side projects to Radiohead, then you compare the album which even if you said it's not exactly Kid A, you still gave the comparison some credit.

That's just me though dude, i'm not trying to be rude or anything. It was a good read : ) Besides, maybe comparing them to Radiohead is a good way of explaining things to the reader. I mean, radiohead are famous for experimenting album to album, so it really helped me understand what you were going for when talking about the album's place in the discography and the band members and side projects. It helped an idiot like me understand it! So really, I guess it helped me, so maybe it's a worthwhile conclusion!

I like this at the end

" Yes, album number seven is less of a revolution in sound than was initially predicted, but scratch just below the surface and you'll find plenty of evidence that this band are starting to embrace the artistic freedoms their newfound status as established elder statesmen affords them."

Album Rating: 4.5

Hence why I don't compare this to Kid A.



The soundoff to this review could have been 'The National don't drop their answer to Kid A but that's ok computer'

Album Rating: 3.3

track 1 is basically their last album but this time they're trying [x1000]

Album Rating: 4.5

ALA I do say they've caught up to the position Radiohead hold, but they took a very strange late route to get there.



There aren't too many arty/indie sort of band's who attain this sort of level of success so Radiohead is the.natural comparison for sure.



I know you're never rude, it's all just discussion, thanks for saying nice things about the review. Are you writing at all at the moment?

No, I'm not writing at the moment unfortunately. I wouldn't know what to write about. I haven't really been listening to anything, but it's nice to occasionally pop in and read some well done reviews like this one. It's crazy to think how many big indie/alt albums i've missed. New Arcade Fire, New National, I swear there was a few more big ones that I can't remember on the top of my head. Maybe i'll take it on myself to listen to this one though.

Album Rating: 4.0

alaaaaaa how you been bro, you gotta hear the new qotsa

Lol that's one of the albums i forgot about! That one too

Album Rating: 4.5

I went years not feeling inspired to write then picked it up again, hopefully something inspires you down the line. Then stage your Sput comeback :D