The National have now reached something close to musical perfection.
Matt Berninger’s insightful lyrics and gritty vocals lace the Dessner and Devendorf brothers’ musical genius. The result is accessible music, that is still interesting and full of risk. Their last album Trouble Will Find Me is their best.
The progress to this point began with their debut, eponymous album.
It’s a record that is not without imperfections, but still shows enough glimpses of potential to indicate the brilliant band that The National will become.
Here are our five favourite songs from it.
Theory of the Crows
Probably the best song on the whole album, Theory of the Crows is the perfect anthem for anyone who is completely unhappy with their job.
“Traded my daylight for a career” through Berninger’s trembling voice perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to be stuck in a job you can’t leave.
Clip via goranello
American Mary
The domain name TheNational was taken when the band first started so they named their website after this song. The site name remains AmericanMary.com and this tune remains one of their best.
Clip via JohnnyCagePro
The Perfect Song
The opening track off the album is all about the one that got away. A hackneyed, clichéd subject sung with a passion and frustration that makes it fresh.
Clip via yourwayuptothestars
Watching You Well
This song has a bar-room Americana feel that you don’t get from The National anymore. It sounds like an early Ryan Adams or Whiskeytown track and that’s not a bad thing.
Clip via #TheNational
Anna Freud
The last track on the album hints at what the band will be producing in their sophomore effort, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. This subtle, yet powerful track could easily lead into The Cardinal Song on that second album.
Clip via #TheNational
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