The National - Boxer

The latest offering by one of the most original, playful and mature bands of the ‘indie rock’ generation. While bands like Franz Ferdinand and Interpol are straining to retain their suave and dynamic styles, The National remain just below the surface, concentrating on prose, balance and sophistication as opposed to head counts at concerts and record sales. Boxer is the bands fourth album to date and it capsulates their quality and aesthetics as musicians splendidly, fronted by deeply moving and passionate lyrical observations combined with smooth piano, percussion and guitar accompaniments that flow freely with occasional trumpets, horns and low frequency base lines.

I have been addicted to the blossoming of The National’s efforts since the release of ‘Alligator’ in 2005. It seems that although the band have only come to critical acclaim recently, they have never fallen short when it comes to prowess, exquisite lyrics and passionate music, from the twisted ‘Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers’ to the teasing taster of the ‘Cherry Tree’ E.P. Although Boxer is a dynamic and fulfilling musical trophy, on a personal level it does not compare to its masterful predecessor Alligator. Their newest offering lacks the triumphant swarm of tracks such as ‘Baby We’ll be Fine’, ‘The Geese of Beverly Road’, ‘Secret Meeting’ and ‘Karen’. Instead the band have adapted an astringent tone and replaced the Alligator highlights with moody tracks such as ‘Squalor Victoria’, ‘Mistaken for Strangers and ‘Green Gloves’. Boxer redeems itself on the second half of the record however, where the lovable melodies begin to flourish and alter the direction of the record. Having said that, the rock-happy mob tracks on Boxer find a comfortable place on the album that I wouldn’t change for anything else. This album has been on the stereo ever since its release several months ago, I feel like I have crawled right up inside Boxer and I refuse to come out!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Copyright Daniel Emmerson 2008 all rights reserved