New National - "Fake Empire"
Oh yes, the first track from Boxer is here. Though the record's a star-studded affair (Sufjan on piano for a few tracks, Doveman lending his keys to others), pretty sure this one is pure National. Sounds like Matt's got Big issues on his mind, and the sweet simplicity of this cut's first half says it all; set to a bare, piano-student progression, Berninger's baritone notes "we're half awake in a fake empire," describing us with "bluebirds on our shoulders," "picking apples, making pie" and walking with "diamond slippers on." In typical National fashion, the track shifts into an adroitly arranged passage -- with a smooth horn section, snapping snare shots, and full band interplay -- and though we'd love to delve into the track's sociopolitical issues (not really), we're just glad to to have a taste, finally, of the album.
The National - "Fake Empire" (MP3)
The National embark on a don't-miss tour soon. Head here for the dates.
Yes.
Boxer is out 5/23 on Beggars Banquet.
Posted at 4:46 PM in MP3
Tags: The National
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if boxer can somehow be better than alligator, then my oh my we are gonna have quite the album on our hands.
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Excellent. I really am looking forward to this cd.
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ditmas park stand up!
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Blogster SixEyes has posted a track list and the cover art for The Boxer:
01 Fake Empire
02 Mistaken for Strangers
03 Brainy
04 Squalor Victoria
05 Green Gloves
06 Slow Show
07 Apartment Story
08 Start a War
09 Guest Room
10 Racing Like a Pro
11 Ada
12 Gospel
http://sixeyes.blogspot.com/2007/03/national-boxer-tracklist-and-cover-art.html
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this needs to leak, like, yesterday.
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f-yeah. that song gives me high hopes for the album. The 'start a war' clip that was posted the other day was also really great. I was a little worried that the album may be overtly political, which I think sometimes detracts from certain records that have been released in this 'bush war era' e.g. the black angles' passover...but i have faith that things will come across tastefully with The National. Plus, sounds like a musical step forward already. I don't think I'll ever get sick of Alligator.
too much analysis for a stereogum post? yes.
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this album is going to an absolute monster
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Wow. Their CD releases are aptly placed with my break-ups. Six year relationship ends right before the release of Alligator and a two year ends right before this release. I need a new fashion coat.
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Yay!
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This is gonna be fun. Going to their 1st Bowery Ballroom show in May, and gonna see them at Bonnaroo in June. I wish nothing but the best for these guys. They are waay talented and work hard.
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This is gonna be fun. Going to their 1st Bowery Ballroom show in May, and gonna see them at Bonnaroo in June. I wish nothing but the best for these guys. They are waay talented and work hard.
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I have a feeling some members of the indie-rock community will reconsider their support for President Bush after hearing this album.
Sarcasm off. Why must bands waste album space on these "message" songs? Just about all 10,000 people (or whatever) who like the National already agree with them (and we few conservatives won't have our minds changed by a song). Songs shouldn't have expiration dates.
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bugs, i really don't think this is a "message" song. he's probably just singing what he feels, the american apathy or whatever. i think the song is great.
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beautiful song. that brass fanfare at the end has a steve reich quality to it...incredible...i wonder if that was the intent.
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Jesus, that's beautiful. Got my tickets already. When you love a record as much as I love Alligator, the prospect of the follow-up is terrifying but this is...tantalising. Something a little Sufjan about the brass in a good way.
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wow... great. can't wait for this record. hey blogjangles, methinks you might be subconsciously ordering your break-ups around national albums... i kid, i kid!
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this is terrible. barger wastes too much times on burgers and lame acts.
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Definitely gonna catch the El Rey show in LA
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would you say that dylan's songs had expiration dates? 'the times they are a' changin' was written for a specific time, and yet when you listen to it forty years later, you still think it couldn't be more immediate.
personally, i'd like to see more political ideas in our culture, and less self-indulgence.
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There's nothing wrong if music is indicative of it's time period. Look how many great works of music, literature, theater, etc. were created in response to current situations. They preserve culture, and may even become relevent again in the future. I doubt the Bush administration is the last that will ever be thought of as a "fake empire". Finally, subversive art exists not to change anyone's mind, but to express the artist's dissent, to voice a sentiment that may be common in a population, and that's all The National are doing. If you don't like it, you can ignore the message, but that doesn't make it valueless.
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If "Fake Empire" is a political song, it's a subtle one, which makes its criticism implicitly and through metaphor without once explicitly fingering Bush and company.
Bugs, if *this* song offends your apparently delicate sensibilities, so be it. You oughta hear Steve Earle. If ever an American administration were worthy of *explicit* criticism, it's the Bush administration. Shut up and sing, eh? I'm guessing that sentiment doesn't occur to you when an artist makes a statement you agree with politically.
Unfortunately, the impact this administration will have on our respective futures has no expiration date.
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Just found this post looking for the lyrics to Fake Empire. I can't believe it's been almost a year since we started getting a taste of this album, I'm listening to it now and it still sounds as fresh as the first time i heard it. And I still don't have a clue what Matt's singing about it most of the songs. Fingers crossed they come back to Manchester soon, their gig in December was awesome.
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