The National - First Two Pages... & Laugh Track Album • Page 61

I've tried so many times to get into this band, give their new albums a chance, etc. I just can never find myself anything but bored. Not even Phoebe and Taylor can get me to really care. I think it comes down to his voice for me - he is objectively talented, but it's just not for me.

Anyway not trying to rain on anyone's parade, this just has always been one of those band I really don't get.

 

I don’t remember if this came up when the song first came out, but I’m more and more struck by how late-career-mewithoutYou “Eucalyptus” is to me.

 

Original title for Eucalyptus was January 2021.

 

guess ill finally check this out

 

grower, not a shower. really fucking good tho

 

I can’t even dispute the boring allegations because on the surface it is and I was bored by the singles, repeated listens reveal a certain emotional depth and vibe that makes it worth sticking with it if you enjoy it at least a little, Eucalyptus might be the most fun to sing along to but Ice Machines might be the peak for me

 

That Vulture article is wild.

Some of this feels like the folks who were disappointed that the Last of Us TV show didn’t have much infected or action (reasonable) but they expressed that disappointment by saying the Last of Us TV show had horrible writing and acting and was an awful video game adaptation (less reasonable).

 

That Vulture article used lots of words but didn't have much to say.

 

Completely forgot about that record. Was kind of disappointed by it too.

I only wish they would've utilized Taylor for something cooler than a basic piano ballad is all. Like give me something similar to the bridge of Cruel Summer or some vocal morphing spoken word in the vein of Walk It Back. I'm hit or miss on her stuff but at least let her cook lol.

 

the sooner folks realize that they won't make Alligator again the happier we'll all be.

 

The National - Live at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock NY from The National

 

So so obsessed with Alien.

 

Interesting. I’m not sure I hear it. Any specific mewithoutYou songs you’re thinking of?

 

someone grab this if you can pls

 

seconded

 

I don’t know that it reminds me of a particular mwY song, like in a one-to-one sense. But, it works in a way that’s similar to what they started doing on Ten Stories, where the Aaron who’d stretched himself on it’s all crazy! applied his evolved singing style to moodier full band songs. “Winter Solstice” and “Grist for the Malady Mill” are probably pretty good examples? Take elements of those and other songs on their last few albums in that space & run them through a Boxer or Trouble Will Find Me filter, and you’ll land roughly where “Eucalyptus” does, imo.

 

Thirdeded.

 

Having listened to the album now, I still think Tropic Morning News is their best song since Pink Rabbits.

 

Best song on the album imo

 

I can’t believe just a week ago I didn’t think I liked Alien lol

 

NTL Reddit came through, video of the Bearsville gig for you

Reddit - Dive into anything

 

Ok, I get it.
Damn that was a good description. I feel like sometimes I’ve got music “theories” or “feelings” similar to what you were saying and it seems impossible for me to actually describe them in ways people understand.

 

Holy shit, what a show! All of the songs from the new album sound infinitely better live than they do on the album aside from the opener & closer. Those two they absolutely nailed in the studio. I actually genuinely love these concert versions of "This Isn't Helping" & "Your Mind Is Not Your Friend".

 

Live versions are cool but I’ll say that the studio songs inhabit their own world and are so tight and cohesive together. The live counterparts blend a little bit into their overall live sound, which is good for that venue, but I’m happy the record does what it does. Nice to have both in such good quality.

 

fine, I’ll say it: this does keep growing on me