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The National - Sleep Well Beast |OT| The genius we've been waiting years for
- Thread starter Icolin
- Start date
Poimandres
Member
Dude... Alligator is the best, this is coming from someone who only got into these guys around High Violet time. One of my favourite bands.
I'm torn between Boxer and Alligator as my favourite National album.
Album was good on the first couple listens (granted it was at work and through earbuds). Gave it another couple listens and was finally able to get my vinyl this morning; damn you change of address. It's really starting to open up and sink it's teeth in me. Glad they decided to play around with their sound a little bit here.
Can't wait to see them live in a month.
Now I need to find time to give the new Alvvays album some more listens.
Can't wait to see them live in a month.
Now I need to find time to give the new Alvvays album some more listens.
Fancy Clown
Member
As usual the first listen I was like: pretty solid, nothing jumps out at me.
Then I play it again and hear all this shit I somehow missed my first time through: This is amazing.
So yup, another hit from The National. Gonna just spin this back and forth with American Dream which I'm still deep into and gotta really digest them both.
Then I play it again and hear all this shit I somehow missed my first time through: This is amazing.
So yup, another hit from The National. Gonna just spin this back and forth with American Dream which I'm still deep into and gotta really digest them both.
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
the release surprised me, listening now. first song is pretty mellow
It's almost a totally different album than the one I listened to Thursday night. There are so many gorgeous, terrible moments that have only just revealed themselves. Empire Line bored me a bit on first listen, but, now, I think it might be the best song on the album.
Except you can't really top I'll Still Destroy You or the title track...
Except you can't really top I'll Still Destroy You or the title track...
The Libertine
Member
I have come to the conclusion that this band really don't have any bad songs.
I like every single song on this album but it doesn't have any songs I'd rank among their very best.
1. Sleep Well Beast
Dark Side of the Gym
I'll Still Destroy You
Guilty Party
Day I Die
Born to Beg
Carin at the Liquor Store
Nobody Else Will Be There
Empire Line
Turtleneck
The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
Walk It Back
1. Sleep Well Beast
Dark Side of the Gym
I'll Still Destroy You
Guilty Party
Day I Die
Born to Beg
Carin at the Liquor Store
Nobody Else Will Be There
Empire Line
Turtleneck
The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
Walk It Back
peppermints
Member
What's everyone's thoughts on Turtleneck? I could see it being a fun song live, but something seems off about it.
This definitely isn't grabbing me immediately.. but I remember being completely underwhelmed by High Violet and now it's one of my most listened to albums ever.
This definitely isn't grabbing me immediately.. but I remember being completely underwhelmed by High Violet and now it's one of my most listened to albums ever.
TheLostBigBoss
Banned
Only recently got into The National.
Hot damn I've been missing out, and just saw this new album dropped. Loving nearly all of it so far, which is rare because I'm pretty picky!
And Guilty Part is defiantly the standout track, when that rift at the end of the chorus moves in song goes to a whole other level
EDIT: Fuuuuuuuuck they are in Boston in like a month and it's all sold out
Hot damn I've been missing out, and just saw this new album dropped. Loving nearly all of it so far, which is rare because I'm pretty picky!
And Guilty Part is defiantly the standout track, when that rift at the end of the chorus moves in song goes to a whole other level
EDIT: Fuuuuuuuuck they are in Boston in like a month and it's all sold out
Fancy Clown
Member
Yeah I agree with this. It's a very solid, low key, nocturnal album. Probably their "weakest" of their post Sad Songs albums though.
Also is it just me or does Turtleneck sound like a Pixies song?
Minus your ranking of the songs, I think I'm of a similar mind. Great album but the high points don't compare to their back catalog's highs.
So now I've had listened to it a few times, in actually a little bit disappointed. It's still a very good, cohesive record. My issue is that there's no single song that really captivated me, it's like they are all 7 o 8/10s. The last two albums I would say there were 2 or 3 9/10 songs in each ibem
Poimandres
Member
I dunno guys, I feel like Guilty Party, System, Empire Line are top tier National songs. Not best of the best, but in the top bracket. Maybe some more will wind up there after more listens. Anyway, no songs I find myself wanting to skip unlike High Violet and Trouble. I do agree there's nothing here as good as the best tracks off those albums though!
Fantano gave it a 7/10: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=odQcHCsW2YA&feature=youtu.be
Pretty surprising as he's often said that he doesn't care for The National.
Pretty surprising as he's often said that he doesn't care for The National.
So my thoughts on this album are that it's really great, and has been in regular rotation since it released. No surprises there.
While there are uses of electronic elements here and there, it's definitely still very much a National album. The catchy lyrics, gorgeous guitar lines, rapid fire drumming, and instrumental swelling are here in full force.
Best track for me is probably I'll Still Destroy You. Everything else is really great though, except maybe Turtleneck. I'm just not really into it, which is odd given that I love The National's more energetic, rock your ass off songs. Maybe it'll grow on me once I see it in a live setting!
While there are uses of electronic elements here and there, it's definitely still very much a National album. The catchy lyrics, gorgeous guitar lines, rapid fire drumming, and instrumental swelling are here in full force.
Best track for me is probably I'll Still Destroy You. Everything else is really great though, except maybe Turtleneck. I'm just not really into it, which is odd given that I love The National's more energetic, rock your ass off songs. Maybe it'll grow on me once I see it in a live setting!
Ashtrax
Member
After a few listens now, the album as a whole really grows on you. Ended up picking up the limited edition vinyl for the missus as she is a huge fan also.
Probably my favourite track is 'Dark Side of the Gym', it absolutely reminds me of 'Earth Angel' (I can't remember the artist, but it's the song that plays near the end of 'Back to the Future'). The only criticism I have of that song is that I wish that after the breakdown at the end, I could actually go for one more loop of the chorus.
The rest of the album is decent, like some have said, Turtleneck is probably the odd one out in comparison to the rest of it.
Also happy to say that I have secured my tickets for their tour in February!!! Playing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne again which is so good. I was expecting they would tour with a feature festival, but lucky they have decided to skip that.
Probably my favourite track is 'Dark Side of the Gym', it absolutely reminds me of 'Earth Angel' (I can't remember the artist, but it's the song that plays near the end of 'Back to the Future'). The only criticism I have of that song is that I wish that after the breakdown at the end, I could actually go for one more loop of the chorus.
The rest of the album is decent, like some have said, Turtleneck is probably the odd one out in comparison to the rest of it.
Also happy to say that I have secured my tickets for their tour in February!!! Playing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne again which is so good. I was expecting they would tour with a feature festival, but lucky they have decided to skip that.
Random Human
They were trying to grab your prize. They work for the mercenary. The masked man.
I'm surprised "Turtleneck" is so divisive. That song totally fucks.
After a bunch of listens the album finally clicked for me and I'm liking it a lot. Most underrated part: how the title track somehow feels totally apocalyptic but uplifting. It's hard to describe but I love that ending.
After a bunch of listens the album finally clicked for me and I'm liking it a lot. Most underrated part: how the title track somehow feels totally apocalyptic but uplifting. It's hard to describe but I love that ending.
The title track is rather special. I don't dislike it but I think I'll come to like it more over time.
I cosign the opinions on Sleep Well Beast (the title track). One of the National's most instrumentally interesting songs to date. The looped background vocals and steady beat create a dope groove.
On another note, I just saw The National's peformance at Centquatre, which happened around the time Sleep Well Beast was released and wow this album is gonna be great live.
On another note, I just saw The National's peformance at Centquatre, which happened around the time Sleep Well Beast was released and wow this album is gonna be great live.
Random Human
They were trying to grab your prize. They work for the mercenary. The masked man.
Here's a pretty good live performance of a bunch of songs from the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TDk83RvooU
I don't think Matt knows all the lyrics yet
edit: Wait, I just realized this is the concert Icolin was talking about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TDk83RvooU
I don't think Matt knows all the lyrics yet
edit: Wait, I just realized this is the concert Icolin was talking about
vatstep
This poster pulses with an appeal so broad the typical restraints of our societies fall by the wayside.
I saw them in Boston tonight, the first date of the North American tour. The setlist was pretty good (although I'm not sure if they're one of those bands that plays a different set every night) and the stage setup was really cool. Great show.
Which songs did they play from the new album?
I wanted to go so bad but had plans in place by the time I saw they were playing here. Glad you enjoyed the show.
Great show last night. I'm glad they did Lemonworld, that's one of my favorites. Though he did fuck up the chorus twice, haha.
I can't tell which Dessner is which, but whoever was on the left can really shred
Most of them. The only ones they didn't do were Sleep Well Beast, I'll Still Destroy You, and Born to Beg.
I can't tell which Dessner is which, but whoever was on the left can really shred
Most of them. The only ones they didn't do were Sleep Well Beast, I'll Still Destroy You, and Born to Beg.
Hope he does Lemonworld in Vancouver. That's also one of my favourite songs by The National, if not my single most favourite.
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
Saw them in Forest Hill Queens last night. They were great as always. Moment of the night....
Matt tells a story about how Donald Trump stole Joey Ramones girl and proceeds to perform a great cover of The KKK took my Girlfriend Away lol
Matt tells a story about how Donald Trump stole Joey Ramones girl and proceeds to perform a great cover of The KKK took my Girlfriend Away lol