The National - Alligator
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Free Music Notes for Alligator
Free Music Review: Great Band!
Hit: 5 Stars
Really wonderful band. Interesting lyrics. Great songs. I love the baritone voice.
Hey everybody! Learn how to spell Cincinnati! Three "n's" and one "t".
Free Music Review: Most EXCELLENT, Most LITERATE
Hit: 5 Stars
I LOVE this CD. Buy it. Live it. Maybe it's me and my crazy life but I swear to God these guys are living proof beauty exists!Free Music Review: We're out looking for astronauts.
Hit: 4 Stars
What does that mean? I'm not sure. Frankly, a lot of 'The National's' lyrics are, in the vein of something like Interpol, a bit on the absurd, nonsensical side. Maybe I'm just too daft and attention deficient to really concentrate on the more quirky words, but like Interpol, these guys' have the ability to combine oft bizzare lyrics with lovely music and a distinct, charming personality. These guys are, dare I say it, cool.
As is the case with some of the lyrics, I don't really know how to verbalize 'Alligator', suffice to say, it's pretty wonderful. Took a bit to grow on me, but when it did, it really did; dug into my brain, as another reviewer stated. It's pretty low-key for the most part, and the songs don't pretend to be something large and pretentious, avoiding a common lack of substantiality when the album's core is reached. Substantial of course is up for debate, as most the album enjoys fixating itself on songs revolving around the various emotions of a relationship. In that sense, the album is a relief, at least for me. I'm not much into relationships and likewise am ashamedly unexperienced -- don't make me get into that -- but it doesn't really seem to matter, because the songs are still totally affecting with some imagination; I can only imagine what some of the album might bring up with more relevant circumstances. The most obvious examples of this are the surprisingly moving 'Baby We'll Be Fine' ("I don't know how to do this..."), the tender, regretful 'Val Jester' ("Cause one day, when she goes, she's gone.") , and the oddly beautiful 'Geese', which is probably my favorite song on the disc.
I don't know really who to recommend this album to, but I have shared it with a few people. It's a grower, certainly, and the general earnestness of it is definitely compelling and ultimately won me over. While not ecclectic, the album has a few dominant moods, primarily the more morose, intimate side and what is essentially the opposite, as heard in the lively, animated 'Friend of Mine' and the anthemic finale 'Mr November'. The remaining songs sort of hover in between these two temperaments and, for the most part, fare as well as the demeanor's they meld.
Like I said, it's cool. At the moment, though, 'Geese' is playing, and while it definitely possesses shades of cool, it's too damn elegant to limit these fine musicians to but one summarizing definition. When a band can pull off this matter of assuredness with two sentiments that rarely coexist, they're probably worth clinging to.
Free Music Review: Moving Americana from Brooklyn (4.5 stars)
Hit: 4 Stars
I guess it's the nature of Americana -the most puzzling new genre label since "New Age"!- to find its worshippers in the most unlikely places, whether it's a borough of New York -having relocated from Cincinatti- or Leeds in the UK when it comes to Dakota Suite, or even somewhere Norway in the case of Midnight Choir.
Anyway the international references above are not gratutious or forced to make my point, The National ultimately belongs to the same community of voices as the above mentioned bands. Like its peers in Europe, they are keen on emotive ballads that manage to evoke and make sense of the pains of being alive.
Where The National does distinguish itself is in their ability to sound as convincing when it comes to the a louder and more epic songcraft, as they do with the intimate stuff. And, in this album, The National proves their range, whether it is the tender melody of "Daughters of the Soho Riots" or the building passion of "Looking For Astronauts."
Other reviews have already mentioned influences and similarities. Certainly the singer will remind you of Stuart Staples of the Tindersticks, although the references to Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen -both of whom I know and admire- are less obvious to me. Actually, at least when it comes to two of my favorite songs -the brooding "Val Jester" and the gorgeous "All The Wine"- Matt Berninger's voice evoked the tone and phrasing of Robert Fisher from the great Willard Grant Conspiracy.
That said, and more importantly, these guys have their own things to say musically and lyrically, and the names mentioned should only be taken to give new listeners a sense of reference, but not to imply that The National's music owes anyone a major debt. They stand on their own, and they deliver a beautiful, heartfelt album, whether they rock or they long, when they turn the volume up and when they lower the lights.
If you were impressed by last year's EP -Cherry Tree- this full-length gem will fill you with joy. The National bare themselves and will lift your spirit. In addition, to the songs mentioned already, I'd add "The Geese of Beverly Road," "Karen" and "City Middle" to make my case.
Along with "Dignity and Shame" by the Crooked Fingers -which I also reviewed- "Alligator" is the best Americana music that you will hear this year. And what it's even more exciting, it may not even be the peak of their creativity. This band's ground is worth keeping your ear to, for whatever they do in the future.
Free Music Review: Almost 4 Stars
Hit: 4 Stars
If you liked post-punk era of the late 70s and early 80s you'll like Alligator. More to the point, if you like the Psychedelic Furs you'll like this.
The good:
Inventive drumming/percussion is what propels this CD.
"All The Wine" is a great song
Great guitar sound
Lots of variety...no two songs sound at all similar.
Normal running time....CDs that run on for 60 to 70 minutes can be a chore to find what you like.
The not so good:
Like some folk, I find the lyrics detract somewhat from an overall enjoyable experience. Not really stream of consciousness lyrics like Wire does, more like embarassing poetry.
Other than that I like Alligator.