The National - First Two Pages... & Laugh Track Album • Page 52

It is entirely unsurprising that this band would be the one to write an album coming out of the pandemic that captures a lot of the emotion I felt as I struggled with my mental health.

 

Send For Me could be an R.E.M. song

maybe the most they’ve ever sounded like them at least

 

Anyone care to share the location of the drip? So I can.......ya know, fix it. So I can fix the drip

 

I'm glad everyone loves Send for Me as much as I do. such a special song

 

Also interested in inspecting drips, if anyone is around

 

Past me was looking out for future me with buying tickets to all four Chicago dates.

 

Can’t DM you.

 

Liking this more than i thought i would. The non-singles tracks are all really good, minus the t swift song which i reeeeeeallllly think is maybe the worst first-listen national track I’ve ever heard. Thankfully, it’s followed by Grease in Your Hair.

 

Still available for drip inspection if anyone needs it

 

6th listen. This album is v good. Matt seems at half-energy but is secret crushing throughout.

 

Finished the record. Enjoyed it much more on one listen than i would have anticipated. Really good texture throughout. The only real issue i have with it is the t swift track, which i wish wasn’t on here.

 

I like the Taylor track but it does feel out of place.

 

I’m not a fan of her music to begin with (I’ve tried!), and i wouldn’t mind it as much until the back half where it becomes really cinematic in a way i think is very corny.

 

Based on the singles I was lowkey worried new Natty wasn’t going to hit like it used to, but man these dudes can still open and close an album so well that I don’t care anymore

 

The album is really good after a few full listens, and it honestly strikes me as a grower.

My nitpicks would be that I think the last chunk of it could have used one more track with a little bit of oomph (honestly, one slow Phoebe Bridgers feature is enough for me, two is pushing it on this album), and either "Tropic Morning News" or "Alien" really should have had more organic production similar to "Grease In Your Hair" since the tracks are back-to-back and they both kinda do the exact same thing, with the drum pads slowly building up more energy and the guitar solos coming in at the end of the song. Like I said though, those are complete nitpicks.

I really don't understand the critiques saying "The Alcott" sticks out on the album, unless you are just super distracted by hearing Taylor Swift's (albeit very recognizable) voice. It sounds exactly like the rest of the album - very produced, sorta restrained and low energy but sneakily good and pretty interesting - only with Taylor Swift singing alongside Matt.

I do wish they kicked it up several notches a few more times on the album, but that's been my biggest letdown with these guys for every album since TWFM, and that really doesn't seem like something they're interested in doing much these days, except for in the live setting.

 

Are the drums absent on everyone’s copy or just mine????? I’ve listened three times and can’t find them








(Jk)

 

I love this

 

Not getting the your mind is not your friend hate. Clearly a stand out.

 

I'm glad so many people are loving it, but I honestly can't even make it through the entire song and find it pretty excruciating, and it doesn't help that "Ice Machines" and "Send For Me" are so damn great either.

 

waiting it out and listening tomorrow. maybe at midnight if I'm up. Happy New National Album Eve, y'all

 

The Alcott does not disappoint, it’s my early favorite.

 

Anyone care to share where to find this pesky drip, too? Can't seem to find it anywhere...

 

Poolside destroys me.

 

glad people are enjoying this

 

6.6 from the fork