Rating:   13 Ratings     12345  

The National Boxer Beggars Banquet

      When I think of The National, I think of the term Tongue-in-Cheek. The subtly mocking lyrics of this New York based band are portrayed in a half serious, half satirical sort of intoxicated imagery. Although this may be true, Matt Berninger is an immensely gifted lyricist, who’s able to conjure up a myriad of feelings and emotions through his eccentric writing style that speaks of everyday happenstances.

      Boxer, The National’s fourth full-length release from Beggars Banquet, opens with "Fake Empire;" an apathetic ballad that possibly echoes Berninger’s opinion on the state of today’s society "put a little something in our lemonade and take it with us – we’re half-awake in a fake empire." The song starts out detached-sounding with a simplistic piano progression, but picks up considerably with the use of horns, bass, and a masterfully played drum line by Bryan Devendorf.

      Since purchasing The National's new album, I find myself repeating the lyrics of "Mistaken for Strangers:" "You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends, when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery Citibank lights." Such mundane lyrics spouted out in such a casual way, one would think the band would be bland. The lyrics of Matt Berninger are reminiscent of the self-deprecation in the literature of Bukowski, the simple prose of Salinger, and the every-day events in the plays of Arthur Miller. Suddenly, putting clothes on becomes interesting, walking down the street is elegant, and putting something in a safe behind a painting somehow seems noteworthy.

      The music off of Boxer contrasts Matt Berninger’s baritone, often drunk-sounding delivery in just the right light to make the band dynamic and more appreciated upon further listens. Often there are jangly lead guitar lines, beautiful rhythm lines, and drums that mix everything up. Two pairs of brothers, Aaron & Bryce Dessner and Scott & Bryan Devendorf, comprise the rest of the band. Another selling point to the album is it includes guest appearances from Sufjan Stevens, Marla Hansen, and Australian composer Padma Newsome.

      The band has a knack for taking unexpected turns in songs that make the song structure intriguing. Whether it is the chorus of "Karen" (off of the album Alligator) or the rhythm of the band's intro contrasting the orchestral arrangement at the beginning of "Squalor Victoria" on Boxer, they’re able to keep the sound unique and fresh. If you enjoy a heartfelt, sometimes melancholy take on music, from a talented group of musicians, then Boxer is the perfect listening choice for you.

-Christine Beals and Eric Rankin 06/08/07