http://www.americanmary.com/music/ Abel is my favourite track at ze moment

Una, nice one. I was gonna raise a thread on these. I havent heard a thing on them. Are they that good. Who do they sound like, who do you think they are influenced by

Whelans gig in November I think. Maybe the 17th?

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. The National are so under-rated its just criminal. Although many people cite 'Alligator' as their best album, I prefer 'Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers'. The gig is on in Whelan's on Sat Nov 19th.....Road Recs have plenty of tickets!!!!

They sound like: when you hear a new rock band, and they're trying to do the basic rock and roll things, but they just don't get it right, or maybe get it right a couple of times (like BRMC's first album), well, I think The National get it right ALL the time. It's a bit old-fashioned rock and roll. Heavy, with vocals that are a bit depressed, but then really upbeat guitars, like on 'Abel', which is just a great rock track with excellent drumming. So they can do the durrrty rawk thing (Abel) and then they have songs like 'All The Wine' that are soft kind of self-hating and really melodic. They're not particularly experimental or avant guarde, just solid. I suppose The National appeal to the rock teen in me. Murder Me Rachel http://www.americanmary.com/mp3s/murder_me_rachael.mp3 All The Wine http://downloads.betterpropaganda.com/download.php?file=The_National-All_The_Wine_128.mp3 Wasp Nest http://www.americanmary.com/mp3s/01%20Wasp%20Nest.mp3 Slipping Husband http://www.americanmary.com/mp3s/slipping_husband.mp3 Cold Girl Fever http://www.americanmary.com/mp3s/cold_girl_fever.mp3 I don't have an mp3 link for 'Abel', but here's the video (Quicktime) http://www.partizan.us/musicvideos/ais/national.html

Mr.November, Alligator album closer, is one of the songs of the year. Gan diggity, gan dabht.

Nothing worthy to add except to say that I agree, Looking for Astronauts is my song..(not literaly of course)

Ok, ive gone out and bought alligator...it had better be good or im going to call around to you all personally and shout loud obscenities at ye!!! :)

2 songs in...ye have me

Here's a live review of them on their current tour: http://pitchforkmedia.com/features/live/n/national-05/

They're the business. They sound like they're comfortable in their skins. AMAZING at Reading. Mr. November was mind-blowing. The Geese Of Beverly Road, and All The Wine. Aaaaahh....

They've always reminded me of the tindersticks (now, there's a band) and nick cave to be honest. I picked up their first album (eponymous) last year instead of 'sad songs..' and it is really good too. Must go gig for november. Anyone familiar with 'grand national', the english duo. Well worth checking out for those who like phoenix.

Despite the fact that I named them as the current gig of the fortnight it had been a couple of months since I'd listened to Alligator. I just gave it a listen, forgotten how good it was, really looking forward to this gig.

Anyone else there last night? I really loved it, just pips Caribou as my best non-festival gig in Ireland this year. From where I was standing you could see them looking down at their instruments grinning like mad when the crowd started singing along.

Wow, these guys are amazing. Much better than anthing I have heard in a long time.

Fantastic gig! The singer looks like he's about to keel over after every song; genuine madness, take note pete doherty... And is it finally the backlash against the bloody talkers that invade all the gigs! Everyone was telling them to shut up it was music to my ears!

yeah, twas fantastic alrite!! It's great when bands look like they hadnt expected the reception they got. Never seen a frontman so awkward on stage. Endearingly so, mind. They really put everything into it. I've only got Alligator (been looking for Sad Songs... for weeks in Dublin to no avail) and I loved the stuff I didnt know too! Nice badges as well.

For once me and Una are in agreement ! The National Are Great ! and underrated yes quite ! I missed the gig on Saturday which I had been really looking forward to for the past couple of weeks which sucks, but hey....