The National
Right at the end of the last millennium, whilst everyone else was partying like it was 1999 (because it was), The National sprung in to life somewhere in Cincinnati, Ohio. They numbered then, and number now, Matt Berninger, the Dessner brothers Aaron and Bryce, and fellow siblings Scott and Bryan Devendorft.
After uhm-ing and ah-ing about whether or not to go about their business under the name of ‘American Mary’ (one of their early songs, and still the band’s dot com address), they chose The National as a title for both their band and their debut album, released in 2001 on Brassland Records, an imprint that owed its existence to band members and brothers Aaron and Bryce.
It was only after the release of their second album, ‘Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers’ in 2005 however that the band would quit their day jobs as web designers and take on The National as a full time concern, relocating the band to Beggars Banquet Records for the release of their next LP, ‘Alligator’, after the pressures of running band and label became too much. The press started paying attention, with publications as diverse as the LA Times and Uncut snappily awarding ‘Alligator’ lofty positions in their ‘Album of the Year’ rundowns.
But this year’s ‘Boxer’ topped it, rave reviews pouring in from all over the world for its wide-eyed mix of classic rock with moody creepiness – think Bruce Springsteen covering Nick Cave. Then sigh, contentedly.
AMERICANMARY.COM: The band’s official site, named after one of their early songs, which the band themselves nearly took on as their name.
MYSPACE.COM/THENATIONAL: Four tracks, tour dates, a video, a biog… pretty standard, but we’re not complaining.
SECRET MEETING: A highlight from ‘Alligator’ assessed.
LIT UP: And another, except reviewer Toby L, try as he might, couldn’t find a sleeve image of this single anywhere. So he used a picture of a monkey instead.
BOXER: And then, they nailed it. “Absolutely, inconceivably outstanding”, said Jo-Rosie Haffenden…
LIVE @ THE ASTORIA: … who was equally taken with this stunning Astoria show.
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