Same. And it felt like he reached back for some old ones that are objectively worse either for full representation or to show cred.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 1:00 pm
by govmentchedda
100%
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 2:41 pm
by mister d
Oh JFC, the official version of "Rylan" has other vocals besides Matt.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 2:45 pm
by mister d
God dammit. This is a wonderful version otherwise.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 3:49 pm
by govmentchedda
mister d wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2019 2:45 pm
God dammit. This is a wonderful version otherwise.
Yikes! I don't mind the harmonizing, but definitely not a fan of her singing alone.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 4:17 pm
by mister d
I wish there was a camera on me when I heard it.
"Webster's Dictionary defines crestfallen as ..."
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:46 pm
by govmentchedda
Two listens in, and I'm coming around on THAT verse.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:47 pm
by govmentchedda
Might be more disturbed about the overreliance on the strings before the bridge.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:50 pm
by A_B
govmentchedda wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2019 8:47 pm
Might be more disturbed about the overreliance on the strings before the bridge.
Ok Roebbling.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:07 pm
by mister d
Also weird, but that other voice was just so fucking jarring. Any other song on the album they could do whatever, but we needed a clean version of “Rylan”.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 8:46 am
by mister d
Ched, I feel like we should have synced up the first listen and just told everyone else to not bother in this thread.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 9:04 am
by govmentchedda
I'm on "Where Is Her Head" right now, but my experience is suboptimal. At work, quietly listening on the computer.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 9:15 am
by mister d
So we're on the same pace anyway.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 9:43 am
by mister d
Well ... I don't love it that's for sure.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:49 pm
by govmentchedda
This being such a collaborative record is going to take some getting used to.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 1:41 pm
by DaveInSeattle
Umm....I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this album after the first listen. Like...I'm all for having the female backing vocalist, but on every song? And it seems like it goes WAY beyond just the 'Guest Vocalist'.
And yeah..Rylan is a great song, that really didn't need any tinkering with.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 2:13 pm
by brian
Where Is Her Head is my favorite song so far.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 4:19 pm
by rass
Alexa refuses to play the new album and plays Boxer instead.
ETA - could be on me, didn’t realize they no longer give you the digital version when you purchase a physical version. Though I’m shocked she didn’t use that as an opportunity to upsell me on Amazon Music Unlimited.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 4:16 pm
by mister d
I'm still not coming around on this one. I need a no-guest vocal version or something.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 7:15 pm
by rass
mister d wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2019 4:16 pm
I'm still not coming around on this one. I need a no-guest vocal version or something.
Been holding back on saying the same. A couple of songs (title track, and Where Is Her Head) have really grown on me since the first listen, and there are a couple other standouts, but I think I’m too lead singer-centric (in general probably, but certainly with this band) to connect with the whole endeavor.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 8:23 pm
by govmentchedda
Way too slammed at work to give it a proper listen. Am kind of in love with my pink vinyl 2 LP set. Long trip ahead should provide lots of listening opportunities. Keeping my mind open. Setting my expectations that this isn't really a National record, as I know it. Hoping for the best. Writing weird sentences.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 8:47 pm
by mister d
rass wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2019 7:15 pm... but I think I’m too lead singer-centric (in general probably, but certainly with this band) to connect with the whole endeavor.
Same. The reason rap in the 90s went to shit was the club tracks, but the secondary reason was every album became this collaborative nonsense where 2/3 had some guest on it, and not just inside the extended crew.
They also realized that because of Berninger’s leathery baritone, the music didn’t fit the film. “If we’re telling the story of a woman’s life, wouldn’t it be interesting to hear a woman sing?” Bryce asked. So they brought in several female vocalists, including Sharon Van Etten, David Bowie’s band member Gail Ann Dorsey, and Bryce’s wife, Pauline de Lassus. They didn’t place these women in a stereotypical role as harmony singers — at times, they supplant Berninger at a song’s center.
This was a big change in style, and Aaron began to worry whether Berninger was O.K. with it. He texted the singer: “Matt, do you think there’s enough of you in the songs?” Berninger replied, “I’ve heard enough of myself.”
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 8:28 am
by mister d
This should have just been released as an eight song album to supplement the movie rather than an official The National album. And "Rylan" shouldn't have been included because its still making me mad.
(I listened on shuffle while mowing the lawn this weekend and its a little better out of order but still not great. And there's one or two songs that sound like bad impressions of The XX and The XX themselves are bad enough.)
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:22 pm
by mister d
Real good sound quality:
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:25 pm
by govmentchedda
Whole concert? Nice.
Gonna stay away for now. I'm going Monday night.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:51 pm
by mister d
Towards the end, would you mind yelling out "can you play some songs off Boxer Thursday night in Portland for my internet friend"? Would be greatly appreciated.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:57 pm
by govmentchedda
I'll be close enough that they should be able to hear me.
Looks like one song each night from Boxer, so far.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:22 pm
by mister d
Troublingly standard setlists.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:25 pm
by govmentchedda
On the other hand, I'll put together a Courtney Barnett Spotify set list based on the last two nights' shows.
* troublingly missing "Charity" at all of her recent shows. I love that track.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:31 pm
by mister d
Planning on doing the Barnett mix for the drive.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:35 pm
by govmentchedda
Her last two shows were the same setlist. My wife doesn't know much of Courtney's stuff. I figure I'll indoctrinate her on the drive as well.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:48 pm
by EnochRoot
While I recognize we're only on this rock for a short while, The National giving voice to other artists may, in the end spark their own creativity.
Oh and Courtney Barnett's "Avant Gardener" is probably the best song to date in the 21st Century.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:51 pm
by govmentchedda
EnochRoot wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:48 pm
While I recognize we're only on this rock for a short while, The National giving voice to other artists may, in the end spark their own creativity.
Oh and Courtney Barnett's "Avant Gardener" is probably the best song to date in the 21st Century.
Agree to first sentence. Bold statement in sentence two, and I prefer "Depreston" to any other CB song.
EnochRoot wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:48 pm
While I recognize we're only on this rock for a short while, The National giving voice to other artists may, in the end spark their own creativity.
Oh and Courtney Barnett's "Avant Gardener" is probably the best song to date in the 21st Century.
Agree to first sentence. Bold statement in sentence two, and I prefer "Depreston" to any other CB song.
Yeah, I listened to that top 500 XMU/Pandora dumped on us last month on my drive back from South Florida to Maryland a couple weeks ago. I pondered that shit all through the Guns>Fireworks>Porn>Jesus billboard belt of South Carolina.
I stand by my boldness. It just works on so many levels for me.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:58 pm
by govmentchedda
South Carolina on 95 takes FOREVER.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:17 pm
by EnochRoot
govmentchedda wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:58 pm
South Carolina on 95 takes FOREVER.
Ah yes, but at least northbound you get the glib advertising campaign brought to you by South of the Border.
Re: The OFFICIAL The National Thread
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 3:42 pm
by govmentchedda
For most of my childhood, my grandparents lived in Pembroke, NC, about 20 minutes from South of the Border. Loved those signs as a kid. Somehow, I've never been there.