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Tuesday, June 07, 2005
I'm a relatively new fan of The National, thanks mostly to a pal's enthusiastic insistance that I pick up their latest album 'Alligator'. Admittedly, it didn't grab me right away, and I briefly worried that ck's perfect recommendation track record was at risk. National singer Matt Berninger has one of those rumbling voices that sits squarely in it's own personal low-toned pocket (think Stephen Merritt or Lambchop's Kurt Wagner), but unlike those guys, he cuts loose when the rock requires it. It was the music that won me over, though... the songs themselves, the dual guitar interplay (my soft spot), the tasteful, snappy, and energetic drumming. Once it all clicked, the singing style made sense, I suddenly got it. I'm generally not a patient listener... when I love an album I know it immediately, and there's so much out there that I move on when something doesn't. I'm glad I didn't give up on The National, though. The patience paid off.  And so did their performance last Saturday night at TT's in Cambridge. Even if I didn't like 'em before, that show would no doubt have converted me. A fifteen song set pulled from their four releases, and here it is... The NationalI took a couple of photos (including openers Pela & Charlene) which are up here. For far better pics from the show, check out Bob Sanderson's gallery right here. Grab a few mp3s from The National's site here, one from Insound right here, and a few from the Brassland label site here. And finally, for last week's complete live set from the Khyber in Philly, go here, but hurry as they'll supposedly be removed sometime soon. Labels: livemp3s  |
 neil halstead live in cambridge, ma on november 14th, 2008 previously: joy formidable - boston 2011 recent posts on the 'nac...
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