The National are a band that I enjoy because they don’t change their sound drastically from album to album; they just refine it.

Radiohead, Animal Collective, et. al. have put us into this mindset that every album needs to cover new ground. There is something to be said about finding a signature sound and refining it. Whether that is with different instrumentation, different recording techniques or even just a simple change in approach to songcraft.

The National’s sound is not played out. I adore it. They could make 10 albums that sound exactly like Boxer and I would be ecstatic.

It is really difficult to get into the Mountain Goats, but it is extremely rewarding when you get into it.