Another new record from The National

stickyfiddle · September 2023

Laugh Track was announced at their homecoming gigs over the weekend and released this morning. ..Frankenstein took me a while but I love it. This might be even better?

I already heard a few of these when I saw them in the summer. First impression of the whole record is absolutely ace.

Image: https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6504a5531ddb27db8c35e87b/1:1/w_600/Laugh%20Track_AlbumCover.png

Teyeplayer · September 2023

And downloaded, that’ll be the drive into work today. Thanks for the heads up.

Iamnobody · September 2023

I’m a big fan of The National but can’t get onboard with this year’s output.

I’m Easy to Find was patchy, Sleep Well Beast was the last album that I can really enjoy in its entirety.

It happens - you can’t expect any artist to keep producing great record after great record and also your tastes change as a listener.

You might not want to go in the same direction as a band or equally you might get sick of the formula and yearn for something different.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

Iamnobody said:

I’m a big fan of The National but can’t get onboard with this year’s output.

I’m Easy to Find was patchy, Sleep Well Beast was the last album that I can really enjoy in its entirety.

It happens - you can’t expect any artist to keep producing great record after great record and also your tastes change as a listener.

You might not want to go in the same direction as a band or equally you might get sick of the formula and yearn for something different.

That's fair enough. I struggled with Frankenstein until I saw them live. Ironically, despite being a fan of Phoebe Bridgers, the tracks with her on that record are the weakest for me. But overall I love the record now.

The new one is definitely more immediate and reminds me most of TWFM - might still be worth a go.

Teyeplayer · September 2023

This is definitely a more accessible album for long time National fans who have struggled with recent releases. That said, a bit of time and listening to recent releases and I’m back onboard and of the opinion that they haven’t done a bad album yet.

Boromedic · September 2023

I still need to listen but I do like the previous new album!

They'll always be a top band for me thanks to that amazing run from Alligator to Trouble Will Find Me which is outstanding.

Sporky · September 2023

They lost me after High Velvet.

LPManic · September 2023

A band I just can't like.

Whitecat · September 2023

I think this year's stuff will grow on me, but I'm not absolutely enamoured with it though like I was Trouble Will Find Me and Sleep Well Beast (I liked that kind of quasi-electro direction they were headed in... these do seem to be a return to the older style). I'm sure repeated play will drill them into my brain...

strumjoughlamps · September 2023

The National are a band I've tried to get into over the years but just cannot seem to gel with them. Much like Broken Social Scene and Ben Folds, this is music I should like but something seems missing..

I do like Eucalyptus, they mention The Afghan Whigs, the greatest band of all time and thus earns respect points.

Boromedic · November 2023

Loving this album btw, very immediate and a nice distillation of their past output and TWFM meets SWB. Great stuff

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Another new record from The National

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