National - Alligator CD


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Two pairs of brothers--Aaron and Bryce Dessner (guitars) and Scott and Bryan Devendorf (bass and drums, respectively)--keep things alternately chiming, churning, and appropriately atmospheric. The startling relationship sketch "Karen," for example, rides a light rock pulse dominated by piano and augmented by strings, making it one of the album's shining moments. "All the Wine" turns Berninger's usually dark self-exploration on its head with its semi-ironic self-aggrandizement. ALLIGATOR's 13 tracks testify to the National's standing as one of the more distinctive and absorbing bands around.

Special limited edition issue of the Brooklyn based Ohioan's third critically acclaimed opus, like Entertainment Weekly's rave, "The twilite melodies and Matt Berninger's gossamer vocals will haunt your troubled dreams". This special edition includes 2 previous rarities {"Thrilling Of Claire" and "Driver, Surprise Me") along with remixes of "Lit Up" and "Secret Meeting", plus a live version of "Geese Of Beverly Road". Topping it all off are the enhanced videos of "Abel", "Lit Up" and "Daughters Of The Soho Riots".

The National's debut for Beggars Banquet Records boasts eloquent production and some of frontman Matt Berninger's finest songs. The Brooklyn band's sound includes elements of folk and swirling indie rock, with Berninger's literate, emotive tunes drawing heavily on the tradition of melancholic singer/songwriters. On "Daughters of the Soho Riots," Berninger's baritone croon recalls Gordon Lightfoot, yet his lyrics are incisive, confessional, and decidedly contemporary. The combination of surreal imagery and genuine pathos in "Baby, We'll Be Fine" (expressed in the song's repeated refrain) is also representative of Berninger's craft.

The National: Matt Berninger (vocals); Scott Devendorf (guitar, bass guitar); Bryce Dessner (guitar); Aaron Dessner (guitars, bass guitar); Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Uncut (p.94) - 5 stars out of 5 - "[B]uried in the richness of their music, there's a spare elegance unheard since The Triffids....They feed an energy more residual than that of The Rapture or The Strokes."
Magnet (p.53) - Ranked #10 in Magnet's "The 20 Best Albums Of 2005" - "Once inside, you're privy to literate songs about conflicted men, unhinged minds and worried heroes."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[The album] walks the same Cold War-era Bowery streets as Interpol but is not more than a half step away from lysergic brilliance."

Alligator Music

Category	Rock/Pop Albums, Rock CDs
Label	4AD
Orig Year	2005
All Time Product Rank	11,426
CD Universe Part number	6843206
Catalog number	80241
Discs	1
Release Date	Apr 12, 2005
Studio/Live	Studio
Mono/Stereo	Stereo
Producer	Peter Katis
Engineer	Peter Katis
Personnel	Matt Berninger - vocals Aaron Dessner - guitars, bass guitar Bryce Dessner - guitar Bryan Devendorf - drums Scott Devendorf - guitar, bass guitar

National - Alligator Songs

	Trk	Song	Time	Price
	1	Secret Meeting See All 2
	2	Karen See All 2
	3	Lit Up See All 3
	4	Looking For Astronauts See All 2
	5	Daughters of the Soho Riots See All 2
	6	Baby, We'll Be Fine See All 2
	7	Friend of Mine See All 2
	8	Val Jester See All 2
	9	All the Wine * See All 4	3:20	$0.99	(From different album)
	10	Abel See All 3
	11	Geese of Beverly Road See All 2
	12	City Middle See All 2
	13	Mr. November See All 2
(*) MP3 for this song is from a different CD. Listen to the sound sample to be sure this is the version you're looking for.

Alligator Music

Alligator Vinyl LP (2005) 4.7 stars

$16.69

Alligator Music Review

Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars) 4.5 stars

5 stars one of 2005 best albums
i had never heard of the national before this album. but as soon as i've listened to it i've realized that it would have become one of my favourite this year. heartfelt songs, great voice, good lyrics...buy it.
Submitted by glass1980 (italy)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

5 stars More than five stars if possible
I started listening to this album on Monday 30 January. It is now Tuesday 7 February and I haven't listened to anything else at all in more than a week. Two or three complete plays a day and I still haven't got to the bottom of it. Never before has a record done this to me. It's become my home. I'm afraid to listen to anything else. Rich, enchanting, haunting, enveloping, they make a complete world which you just don't want to leave. Sorry to miss you, I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain. What?
Submitted by Aidan Walker (Brighton, UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

4 stars This band is definitely going somewhere...
This is the first album i have heard from The National and i must say that I am very impressed. Sweet, tender and somewhat dark, Alligator will delight you even more after each spin.
Submitted by james (London, ON CANADA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

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