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The National
The National
The National
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, R&B, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

The National make sturdy American music, the sort of stuff that's built out of solid songs, radio-ready hooks, and tasteful, efficient arrangements. The CD's earnest, straight-ahead material is often country-flavored, but ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: The National
Title: The National
Members Wishing: 12
Total Copies: 0
Label: Brassland Records
Original Release Date: 7/3/2001
Release Date: 7/3/2001
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, R&B, Rock
Styles: Americana, Indie & Lo-Fi, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 632662555125, 632662555125, 766481309642

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The National make sturdy American music, the sort of stuff that's built out of solid songs, radio-ready hooks, and tasteful, efficient arrangements. The CD's earnest, straight-ahead material is often country-flavored, but it can also evoke '80's rock anthems. Matt Berninger sings of the heart's travails in a sensitive, manly way that recalls fellow romantics like Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. He's equally adept at packing a slew of words into a single vocal phrase or milking a single word for dramatic effect. The guitar-bass-drums lineup is nicely abetted by the occasional piano line or synth flourish. There isn't room for surprise or eccentricity on this album; everything here is completely worked out and professionally crafted. But that's one reason this disc will appeal to people with a taste for well-made rock. --Fred Cisterna

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CD Reviews

An Honorable Lineage
WrtnWrd | Northridge, CA USA | 06/27/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Though they've grown exponentially over the last two releases, The National arrived fully-born on this debut. Vocalist/lyricist Matt Berninger has only honed his sharp and honest voice, but that commitment to detail is all over these 12 tunes. They plumb the Amerindie sound without redefining it; instead, they join an honorable lineage that includes Warren Zevon, Matthew Sweet, R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers, and, especially, Afghan Whigs. There's a bit more gentility here than on Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers or Alligitor; with luck, they will just get rougher and rougher. The mire becomes them."
Too good
Peter M. Kostrivas | 01/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong, Alligator and Boxer are excellent but this is The National's best album, in my opinion anyway. Openers don't get much better then "Beautiful Head" (okay maybe not better then "I'm trying to break your heart). If you've listened to Boxer, Alligator, or even sad songs.. you might be suprised about how different this one is. Self titled has a much countryisher sound to it then their later work, but the lyrics are obviously The National. From the upbeat twang of "Pay for me" to the absolute rawness of "29 years" and to the romantic feel of "watching you well", this album delivers on every single song, please buy."
Not their best, still really good
L. Riley | Athens, GA, USA | 07/08/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I already have Alligator, Boxer, and Sad Songs, And this is yet another great addition. I haven't had it very long yet, so some songs are still growing on me, typical of The National. Anyways, Beautiful Head and American Mary are the best songs on here. 29 Years is really good too, Berringer reprised it at the end of "Slow Show" on Boxer. Aside from that, the other songs are good, but not their best. This is a good debut album, and Beautiful Head and American Mary are in my top "The National" Songs. As I've said in other reviews, if you're new to The National, get Alligator, and let it grow on you."