The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Okay . . . let's try this again.

Moderators: Shirley, Sabo, brian, rass, DaveInSeattle

User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

(“at once” is better, right?)
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

rass wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:55 pm (“at once” is better, right?)
Makes more sense.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

govmentchedda wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:20 pm First song that pops to mind is Bloodbuzz, but I need to think on it.
Without going back and looking at your prior posts, I think the most The National song may be Apartment Story, knowing your preference for earlier stuff, and that it's not as RAWK as Mistaken for Strangers.

And, you'd probably have said newbie to the band watch the video. I would.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

govmentchedda wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:03 pm
rass wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:55 pm (“at once” is better, right?)
Makes more sense.
Oh man thanks I’ll take that
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

It’s absolutely Bloodbuzz. I’m not sure a song, post-popularity, has ever better encompassed the whole than thus does.

It’s not my favorite song, but it’s my perfect song.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

Might need to sit down and take notes, but I think less of their songs sound like Blood Buzz than they do something much more low key like about today. And both of those capture essential The Nationalness.

Also, Blood Buzz is on my running playlist and I never ask myself questions about that.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

Ok in the bright morning light of sobriety I’m rereading this without being excitedly distracted by my own random and recent thoughts.


I think Mistaken For Strangers definitely could have been a correct answer at some point. Still a good introduction and litmus test for compatibility with the middle catalogue of the band. Not sure if it represents where they’ve been heading for the past 2 or 3 albums, thematically or sonically. That song is old!
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

So my thinking was more “if you take 20 songs by them, which one could center and have the other 19 branch off”. That’s where I see bloodbuzz as the most them song.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

Definitely more fun if we all just make up our own criteria.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

While drinking.

Song draft?
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

Only if Jerloma gets to go first.

(but yes)

Also:

I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Apparently last week they reran the BAM concert from the High Violet tour.
[+] spoiler
It's a fucking banger of a concert. Very well shot, great audio.
It's still up on YouTube (I think it always has been). I remember watching that live from the beach.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

They edited out the part where after Bloodbuzz, Matt calls the guy watching at home on Youtube a loser, and Aaron quickly corrects him. Kinda crazy how that dynamic has changed, and the rest of the band certainly expects Matt to drunkenly riff, and sometimes lightly offend.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

The "debonair" line, and Matt's response at 33:48, cracks me up every time.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

govmentchedda wrote: Mon Apr 06, 2020 11:28 am They edited out the part where after Bloodbuzz, Matt calls the guy watching at home on Youtube a loser, and Aaron quickly corrects him. Kinda crazy how that dynamic has changed, and the rest of the band certainly expects Matt to drunkenly riff, and sometimes lightly offend.
Gah! I was wrong. That moment comes at around 35:00, in the lead up to England.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Last week's video is the show they did at the Basilica Hudson, near Aaron's house, and the studio they did most of the recent two albums at.

I feel like I posted it somewhere here before, but I really love "I'll Still Destroy You".
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

govmentchedda wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2018 4:25 pm I'll Still Destroy You is so great.
Took me a while, but I finally found it.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

mister d wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:38 am "I'll Still Destroy You" is creeping onto my favorite National songs list.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

I remain "very mad" they didn't play it when we saw them in Boston on the Sleep Well Beast tour.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Let's just get high enough to see our problems
Let's just get high enough to see our fathers' houses
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »



Bonus interview with Matt and the same journalist about the same album 10 years ago



I bet it was more than 20%
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

I think my top 5 has drastically changed recently. Alligator is currently, at best, 4th.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

I can sorta see that.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

Cheddz (or anyone else) ... If I'm going to go through a pointless exercise of best 3 song run on each album, do you want it posted or do you want me to wait until you've looked without (massive) influence?
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

mister d wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 5:18 pm I think my top 5 has drastically changed recently. Alligator is currently, at best, 4th.
Becoming dated? Maybe not even its fault, just musically not what their recorded output sounds like anymore.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

Yeah, that plus the whole "sad dad" thing doesn't really start until Boxer despite a few songs that qualify. Its like there are three lines to draw (in MS Paint, like you would on a map of the US) now where I used to see only a before/after. First two (line) Alligator as the bridge (line) four album peak (line) "The One With All The Guests".
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

mister d wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 10:39 am Cheddz (or anyone else) ... If I'm going to go through a pointless exercise of best 3 song run on each album, do you want it posted or do you want me to wait until you've looked without (massive) influence?
Throw it behind a spoiler. I'll do the same at some point.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

Best three song run on the albums that matter:

Alligator:
[+] spoiler
(9) All the Wine (10) Abel (11) Geese of Beverly Road
Boxer:
[+] spoiler
(1) Fake Empire (2) Mistaken for Strangers (3) Brainy
High Violet:
[+] spoiler
(9) Conversation 16 (10) England (11) Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks this is by far the hardest and the reason I recently adjusted my rankings ... (5) Afraid of Everyone and (6) Bloodbuzz Ohio is the best tandem here and maybe on any of their albums but the dropoff on either side is too steep ... I expect Chedda to have a strong feeling here
Trouble Will Find Me:
[+] spoiler
(1) I Should Live in Salt (2) Demons (3) Don't Swallow the Cap
Sleep Well Beast:
[+] spoiler
(8) I'll Still Destroy You (9) Guilty Party (10) Carin at the Liquor Store
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

No IAETF?
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

I hate it.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Alligator
[+] spoiler
3-5 Lit Up, Looking for Astronauts, Daughters of the Soho Riots had a shot, but ultimately it's defintely 9-11 All the Wine, Abel, The Geese of Beverly Road
Boxer
[+] spoiler
This one's tough. Slow Show and Apartment Story are definitely in. The question is, do you add Green Gloves at the beginning, or Guest Room at the end. I think it needs to be Green Gloves, Slow Show, Apartment Story
High Violet
[+] spoiler
Bloodbuzz Ohio, Lemonworld, Runaway. The next/last 3 are also amazing. This one's really fucking hard, and that's a hell of a Side B in total.
Trouble Will Find Me
[+] spoiler
This one is tough. Probably I Need My Girl, Humiliation, Pink Rabbits, but Humiliation may be the weakest song included in all of this.
Sleep Well Best
[+] spoiler
I'll Still Destroy You, Guilty Party, Carin at the Liquor Store. Similar to Boxer, it hurt a little to not include Empire Line, but I think Carin is the better choice
I am Easy to Find
[+] spoiler
This one was really hard also, but made a little easier by two short songs that were definite no gos. My pick here is Where is Her Head, not in Kansas, So Far So Fast.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

mister d wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 11:20 amI hate it.
You're an insane person.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

No, I am smart and that album is disjointed and pretty bad and I'm already worried about my reaction to Berninger solo.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Berninger solo is going to be forgettable
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

Like ... at best? Inside the band, his voice is great. If El Vy is any indication, I don't like it elsewhere.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by rass »

Fuck You
[+] spoiler
Pay For Me
Bitters & Absolut
John's Star
Fuck You, Too
[+] spoiler
90-Mile Water Wall
It Never Happened
Murder Me Rachel
Alligator
[+] spoiler
Karen & Lit Up might be my fave two song run, but that's not what the "fun rules" dictate, so...

All The Wine
Abel
Geese...
Boxer
[+] spoiler
Slow Show/Apartment/Start a War
or
Racing Like a Pro/Ada/Gospel

Gospel might be my fave on the album at any given point in time, but...

Slow Show
Apartment Story
Start a War

please, let's leave before I change my mind
High Violet
[+] spoiler
Really tough...

Could probably be happy with any set of 3 starting with Little Faith

Bloodbuzz Ohio
Lemonworld
Runaway
Trouble Will Find Me
[+] spoiler
I guess...

I Need My Girl
Humilation
PR
Sleep Well Beast
[+] spoiler
The end of Walk It Back still bugs me, might have had a different answer...

I'll Still Destroy You
Guilty Party
Carin...
IAETF
[+] spoiler
Fittingly, given how infuriating this album is, the only "interlude" that I think really works is Underwater, but if it *wasn't* included my choice would be the other three tracks that end the album.

Rylan
Underwater
Light Years

or maybe 4/5/6? No, stick with the last three on the album.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

My man!
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

I have to mow the lawn tomorrow so I'll pledge to listen again for the first time this year I imagine. My only retained impressions beyond "I hate this" are "Where Is Her Head" is pretty great live and I could find a spot for it on other albums (preferably with Lisa Hannigan since she's the female vocalist I associate with them) and they fucking ruined "Rylan".
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12672
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

mister d wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 2:05 pm I have to mow the lawn tomorrow so I'll pledge to listen again for the first time this year I imagine. My only retained impressions beyond "I hate this" are "Where Is Her Head" is pretty great live and I could find a spot for it on other albums (preferably with Lisa Hannigan since she's the female vocalist I associate with them) and they fucking ruined "Rylan".
Watched a few of the recent live shows that they've posted. My Rylan rankings are as follows:

1. KEXP version
.
.
.
.
20. album version
.
.
.
.
.
.
8976. live versions from early in the IAETF tour
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread

Post by mister d »

KEXP Rylan : 2019 Mister D :: Lillywhite Grey Street : 2001 Mister D
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
Post Reply