The brothers and Berninger of the National told Billboard that a new album’s in the works, slated for a 2010 release date. They didn’t mention what it would sound like, but that’s what the internet and your aural analytic ability is for. There are three post-Boxer bits to process: “So Far Around The Bend,” featuring arrangement from indie rock’s composer crush Nico Muhly, and these two tunes performed at Carnegie Hall’s Free Tibet fundrasier last week. Both feature stately horns, “Karamazov” more balladic and “Saints” pushed by plinking pianos, and each reassure that the National remain interested in exploring their awesome ability to find a refined, subtle simmering point for their cathartic anthems, rather than push shit into the red like so many of the lesser bands they’ve outlasted, and outgrown.
Thanks for the heads up, Evan.
Also worth noting: Yesterday word spread of a Matt Berninger appearance at the upcoming Clogs/Bell Orchestre show at BAM with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. (UPDATE: Official word is that Matt WILL NOT be appearing.) That is good news, especially considering Berninger’s name was mentioned in the same breath as Sufjan Stevens, Owen Pallett, and Shara Worden as the night’s special, unannounced guests. A good source said it can’t be confirmed, so let’s see. Would be a pretty nice lineup for a dark night. Tickets info is here. Grizzly Bear and Final Fantasy do it the same way, at the same space, two days later.
And last rumor: There will be a Dark Was The Night show at Radio City. Maybe.
Aside from rumored solo appearances and rumored compilation recreations, there is actual VERIFIABLE NEWS to report too: The National have confirmed a spring club tour after a March appearance at the Harvest of Hope Festival in Florida. In the interim, they’ll get working on the Boxer followup.
03/08 – St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival
05/21 – Toronto, Ontario @ Kool Haus
05/22 – Montreal, Quebec @ Metropolis
05/23 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/24 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/25 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/27 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
05/28 – Raleigh, NC @ Maymendi Concert Hall
05/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
[Photo from Coachella '08 by Amrit Singh]
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Man, these songs suck. It’s like listening to Stephen Meritt cover Dido
their contribution to the dark was the night comp is pretty fucking incredible. maybe its the nico muhly treatment.
i love them. karamazov especially. if early performances of boxer songs are an indication, these songs will change drastically or disappear before the new album.
yeah i never got these guys, songs all sound the same, the singer has a limited vocal range, i know i am supposed to like them but i can never feel anything from them, i think over time people will see these guys are average at best
I think both these songs are promising! Can’t wait for the new album.
they’ve been around for several years and just keep getting more popular. not everyone i guess, but their fans (me included) love them.
Can you make any bold declarations about what people will LIKE in the future? Or are you just a negative nancy?
I thought Boxer was a subtle, elegant and mature album that certainly doesnt beat you over the head or treat you like your 10. So much Indie Rock I hear insists on trying to be even more watered down than pop music that my 14 year old sister listens to. It was nice to hear from a young band that was in no way trying to be ironic, “difficult” or cutesy.
I’m not saying everyone should like it, but I can’t see it as an album that would somehow lose its magic over time for a fan. It has no gimmicks or flash… Historically albums like Boxer tend to last.
Now, Animal Collective… I kid, I kid
I didn’t really get into the national until i saw them live this summer. they put on an amzazing performance. the person i was with had never heard of them and was blown away too. For some reason after hearing the live versions the album ones became much more compelling. and maybe its not hip to care about them anymore. whatever. i’m excited for the next album.
They’ve been getting better and better. The last 2 albums were great but a few tracks I didn’t care for. Yet it’s nice to see a band that evolves and isn’t afraid of something new.
I love this band. Wish the new album would come out sooner. Also, hope they add some NYC dates on their mini-tour.
i wish these guys would do anything west of the mississippi… ANYTHING!
this band is beyond some hipster bitching about….would be different if they were just releasing their second record, but they have kind of out grown the flavor of the month criticism.
By “lesser bands they’ve outlasted” do you mean Clap Your Hands Say Yeah? Aha, that’s what I thought.
In 5 years time nobody will give two shits about Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear, but Boxer will still be considered one of the best of the decade.
in 5 years people will still consider boxer to the one of the best of the decade….but they will also remember animal collective and grizzly bear. three great bands. why do people feel the need to put down other bands in order to praise one band?
the national have teamed with me “the stain specialist” to help get rid of the animal collecitve.
ah people arguing on the internet about pointless crap…
While I think Boxer is a wonderful album, Alligator trumps it on just about all counts. Alligator can give you chills and make you break down one minute, then uppercut your head off with a Sub-Zero rock fatality the next. One of the decade’s best to me.
i love both albums.
Pittsburgh never gets any love.
The rumor about Sufjan and Shara as guests at the Clogs’ BAM show have been confirmed: http://allgoodnaysayers.net/news/2009/02/19/sufjan-guesting-with-clogs-at-bam/
use your words, please.
Are you trying to differentiate some shit here? It’s not working…