To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
Friday, March 7, 2008
#1. The National
The National - Boxer
To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
To be honest, I was not a great fan of their previous release Alligator, I gave it a few listens and didn't find anything very compelling. So when Boxer was released last year I didn't exactly run out and grab it. Nonetheless, I eventually came round to giving the new tracks a listen due to the fuss that people were making over the album. Upon hearing the new material, I was indeed impressed and found myself liking what I was hearing. What I liked at first, grew on me consistently over the months until I came to a place where it was the only music I was recommending to friends. This is a very solid album - extremely listenable. It has the sort of depth that will keep you interested and singing for months. All kinds of great listening here: "Mistaken for Strangers", "Green Gloves" , "Fake Empire", "Apartment Story", "Slow Show" and more.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
#2. Radiohead
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Finally, after the tailspin that followed the success of O.K. Computer, Radiohead return with an album that indicates that they are once again comfortable in their own skin. I still remember sitting down to listen to this the first time and smiling to myself with joy as I nodded and heard a voice in my head saying - "there it is.. mmmhmm.. they are such a fantastic band." On O.K. Computer, there seemed to be this disciplined and almost ferocious declaration - "we are a phenomenal band!" On Rainbows, they know it and they get down to business to make a "proper" album. "House of Cards" and "Reckoner" are easily two of the best songs of the year. Here is a band and an album reminding us how music is supposed to be made.
Finally, after the tailspin that followed the success of O.K. Computer, Radiohead return with an album that indicates that they are once again comfortable in their own skin. I still remember sitting down to listen to this the first time and smiling to myself with joy as I nodded and heard a voice in my head saying - "there it is.. mmmhmm.. they are such a fantastic band." On O.K. Computer, there seemed to be this disciplined and almost ferocious declaration - "we are a phenomenal band!" On Rainbows, they know it and they get down to business to make a "proper" album. "House of Cards" and "Reckoner" are easily two of the best songs of the year. Here is a band and an album reminding us how music is supposed to be made.
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