The National - First Two Pages... & Laugh Track Album • Page 60

Finally getting a listen on this and I’m on The Alcott. Hate to say it but I’m underwhelmed. Saw some people say the back half is strong, but I’m worried. Wasn’t planning on sleeping at work today

 

boooo

 

I hope it grows on me, but honesty is key

 

If you keep listening and it changes, post updates. I think this will end up clicking for folks who are sorta on the fence with the songs but don’t have any real objections to the external stuff like Swift and the larger audience being exposed to the band, etc.

 

People who have "objections" to that are entitled dudebros who can show themselves the door.

 

I know I sound unhinged every time I reference or make dumb jokes about those objections (and maybe it’s better to just ignore them) but it’s all over user reviews and their Instagram comments, especially on the recent ones that involve TS. And I think it’s dragging down the perceived reception of a pretty good record.

 

Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised? That kind of "indie authenticity" argument just seems so 2000s Pitchfork to me. The kind of thing we should have evolved beyond, but didn't!

I'd get it more if the song were a clear "pop play" or "sellout attempt," but it just sounds like...a National song.

 

it's a Natoonal song that happens to have Taylor Swift on it and I don't see the issue, ffs

 

I DO think it sounds much more like a Taylor Swift song featuring Matt. It’s not fair, but it’s also not an entirely UNFAIR criticism.

This album is a grower for sure but I find myself really enjoying it. Doesn’t reach either the highs of Trouble or Beast, but a worthy addition to what is an incredible catalog.

 

Definitely sounds more like a Taylor song than a National song. I still like it a lot though.

 

I mean, I think both are great, so whatever. And, Taylor is one of today's definitive superstars and adds multiple layers of vocals to this thing. But, like... it's so clearly The National, lol.

 

I mean, Taylor has two full albums that sound like National songs. ”The Alcott” still sounds way more like a National song than like a Taylor Swift pre or post-2020 song.

 

I mean yeah, I guess I just think it sounds like a song from the folklore era. It’s not a bad thing. I get that she was inspired by this band for that album.

 

I’ll concede that it sounds like folklore, but folklore sounds like The National. “Cardigan” is basically a National song and was the lead single!

 

At the time, I thought Folklore sounded like Taylor singing over slightly tweaked the National music. But, 3 years later, it does feel normalized as Folklore/Evermore-era T Swift when it’s interpolated back onto a National record with Swift on vocals. But it doesn’t register to me as the worst National song in their discography or some dark channel letting Swifties into the fortress.

 

It's such a good duet - I swear I smiled ear-to-ear the first time I heard them both sing:

and the last thing you wanted
is the first thing I do

 

Did people get mad about "Renegade" on the Big Red Machine album? Because that sounds way more like a Taylor Swift song than this does.

 

people were definitely mad about that song just like every big-name National collab, like Sufjan and Justin Vernon haven't been contributing to this band since Boxer. it's a super weird possessive mentality some people have with them, I've never understood it

Renegade is a much better song than Alcott too

 

Wrapped up my first listen and think this is solid/fine. Poolside is an immediate highlight for me, but most of this didn’t really move the needle for me one way or the other. I did like it more than IAETF after my first listen though and I appreciate that it’s more succinct than IAETF as well so I’m looking forward to spending more time with this in the hope that it comes around for me

 

The Alcott is one of my favorites melodically and sonically, the reason it isn’t my favorite track is purely the lyrics. Feels like a step down from Coney Island, also the ending and some of Taylor’s lyrics are underwhelming (I say this as a big fan), feels again like the call and response of exile but a step down

 

Other than that, I’m still enjoying all of this, can’t believe there was ever a point I didn’t like Eucalyptus

 

Feels like the album version of Eucalyptus has grown on me exponentially with every listen to the album - I absolutely love it now, and can't imagine what I was thinking before being sorta letdown. New Order T-shirt has also gotten better in the context of the album with repeat listens, only not quite to the same degree as Eucalyptus. I've always been pretty lukewarm on album Tropic Morning News, and listening to the whole album doesn't change that. If anything, I think I like it a little less now and always want to skip ahead when it's on.

 

“eucalyptus” instantly one of the best national songs ever, to me

think this is their best since trouble. can understand the mixed reactions bc the palette is v muted but this has always been a band of subtle effects imo

 

I've listened at least twice daily since Friday. IAETF didn't have this much of a hold on me because yeah the songs were great but it's a bit long. (incredible winter album tho)

 

what about the cowboy junkies
what about the afghan whigs

(former whigs drummer steve earle was bryan devendorf’s drum instructor but also the afghan whigs are the best rock band of all time and hearing them namedropped on a national song rules)