The drunken ramblings of Matt Berninger have been a focal point for both good and bad reviews of The National’s music throughout their albums to date. It is something that you either can appreciate, or it drives you to the point of tears. The point is, it works.
The Nationals new album; Boxer is full of what we are used to when listening to the New York five piece. Technically brilliant and rapturous drums, sonic guitar, and some of the deepest bass you are likely to hear on a rock record. Boxer has found the perfect mix between slower numbers, where Berninger’s vocals give the effect of a depressed Friday night with an empty bottle of whiskey in front of you, through to the faster songs; which, besides the droning vocals are almost danceable.
Songs about love are intertwined with lyrics about money and office life. Judge for yourself, but it could be easy to see them all to do with the same subject in any relationship. Lines like, “My friends are all good and wasted.”
In some of the more reflective moments, the album transports the listener. Boxer is a very good way to lose track of an hour; the songs connect together so well, you will think you are still listening to that first amazing track, when in reality the music has morphed beyond that, but your mind has struggled to keep track. Very much another love or hate situation. It will rarely be out of my CD player.
Watch the video for Mistaken for Strangers (the first single from the album)
