The National

[Skalap]

The person who leaked the news about these singles being released today also said there was going to be an album and shared the track listing. I believe you can find a thread on the National’s subreddit where the links to those forum posts were shared.

Found it. Thanks!

 

[Twentytwo]

The person who leaked the news about these singles being released today also said there was going to be an album and shared the track listing. I believe you can find a thread on the National’s subreddit where the links to those forum posts were shared.

Not saying there isn’t going to be an album drop soon but I’m leaning against today. I got a bandcamp notification from them but only about the two singles. I’ve never seen an artist sell two singles the same day they announce a new album so I’m going with no for today.

 

[Bennnnn]

What album leak? Is there already a tracklist out?

These two songs are really good. I was a bit disappointed with their last album. Not that it is a bad album but it just mostly doesn't work to me.

There doesn't seem to be a concrete consensus on when the album is coming out. But supposedly a music journalist had already listened to it and it was logged in to last.fm. But I think that's been wiped away or something. It's weird that the band did no teasing for the singles especially considering they did tease Weird Goodbyes for a bit before they actually released it. In regards to the album drop, I wouldn't think it would happen until October at the earliest.

 

[Hollywood]

I just came here to say the new singles are legit. Just used a VPN for NZ to access them on Youtube. So if that's true, I'm assuming the album leak info is true too. Maybe we'll know tomorrow.

So, Alphabet City is nice. It's a mellow, darker sounding single, but it sounds better than the mellower songs on FTPOF to me. There are more dynamics in the instrumentation here. It does kinda just end. But I'm sure it'll grow on me. It almost reminds me of something like Think You Can Wait, but with a SWB style mixed in.

Space Invader is incredible. I just love it that a nearly 7 minute song from The National exists. Sleep Well Beast the song is also a long one, but it's a slower sprawl. This one just builds and builds and sounds so good. Already these two singles hit me pretty hard, more so than my initial impressions of the early singles for FTPOF (an album I really like). This one like really lets everyone shine, but I love the drums so much.

Agreed My initial reaction to both singles is far greater than anything that was released from FTPOF and I mean I love Tropic Morning News and Eucalyptus! As a whole, FTPOF is a decent album but it doesn't grab me in the same way their previous LPs has, and imho is only slightly better than IAETF so that said, this bodes well for the forthcoming album!

 

[wokeupnew]

Agreed My initial reaction to both singles is far greater than anything that was released from FTPOF and I mean I love Tropic Morning News and Eucalyptus! As a whole, FTPOF is a decent album but it doesn't grab me in the same way their previous LPs has, and imho is only slightly better than IAETF so that said, this bodes well for the forthcoming album!

I just came here to say the new singles are legit. Just used a VPN for NZ to access them on Youtube. So if that's true, I'm assuming the album leak info is true too. Maybe we'll know tomorrow.

So, Alphabet City is nice. It's a mellow, darker sounding single, but it sounds better than the mellower songs on FTPOF to me. There are more dynamics in the instrumentation here. It does kinda just end. But I'm sure it'll grow on me. It almost reminds me of something like Think You Can Wait, but with a SWB style mixed in.

Space Invader is incredible. I just love it that a nearly 7 minute song from The National exists. Sleep Well Beast the song is also a long one, but it's a slower sprawl. This one just builds and builds and sounds so good. Already these two singles hit me pretty hard, more so than my initial impressions of the early singles for FTPOF (an album I really like). This one like really lets everyone shine, but I love the drums so much.

agreed! both singles already have better production than anything on FTPOF. They kind of sound like lost b-sides that could have been recorded around TWFM. Especially Space Invader which sounds very TWFM-esque.

 

[Hollywood]

The person who leaked the news about these singles being released today also said there was going to be an album and shared the track listing. I believe you can find a thread on the National’s subreddit where the links to those forum posts were shared.

They apparently have played a bunch of additional new songs live on their current tour: Deep End, Hornets, Tour Manager, Coat on a Hook, Smoke Detector, Turn Off the House. Looks like enough material for a album, and hopefully Weird Goodbyes gets a proper home on there too!

 

[threesunrises]

I’ve been checking out Atlanta’s set list tonight and am already feeling jealous. Demons, Abel, Hard To Find…

Was anyone here at the Atlanta show? I saw a post that people were sitting in the front row, and some guy left when Matt tried to reach out to him. I wonder if much of the front section was made up of record station people or season ticket holders? (This pic is from Eucalyptus)

 

[threesunrises]

They apparently have played a bunch of additional new songs live on their current tour: Deep End, Hornets, Tour Manager, Coat on a Hook, Smoke Detector, Turn Off the House. Looks like enough material for a album, and hopefully Weird Goodbyes gets a proper home on there too!

I've been so fortunate to have seen 3 of those songs performed live. I definitely think Weird Goodbyes will be on the upcoming album since the artwork style / typography are the same.

 

[Bennnnn]

Was anyone here at the Atlanta show? I saw a post that people were sitting in the front row, and some guy left when Matt tried to reach out to him. I wonder if much of the front section was made up of record station people or season ticket holders? (This pic is from Eucalyptus)

That was kind of my fear. I saw a pic on their Instagram wheee it looked really full of people standing, but that might have been towards the end. I wouldn’t have been enjoying it as much if I was surrounded by people sitting. In Nashville many of the people around me were super into it, it felt nice.

 

[wokeupnew]

Was anyone here at the Atlanta show? I saw a post that people were sitting in the front row, and some guy left when Matt tried to reach out to him. I wonder if much of the front section was made up of record station people or season ticket holders? (This pic is from Eucalyptus)

that is so bizarre to have a seated section right in the front! My friend saw The National years ago in Milaukee at a fancy seated theatre around either the TWFM or HV tours and said almost everyone ended up standing up in the front for the whole show.

 

[Bennnnn]

that is so bizarre to have a seated section right in the front! My friend saw The National years ago in Milaukee at a fancy seated theatre around either the TWFM or HV tours and said almost everyone ended up standing up in the front for the whole show.

When I saw the Mountain Goats locally this year it was in a seated theater. I was in the front row, but nobody stood at all…until the encore then everyone stood up. Kinda weird though.

 

[threesunrises]

When I saw the Mountain Goats locally this year it was in a seated theater. I was in the front row, but nobody stood at all…until the encore then everyone stood up. Kinda weird though.

I have been to plenty of "sit down" shows including Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, The Swell Season and similar acts all of which were sit down until the end.

I just can't quite comprehend how someone would sit during Eucalyptus (unless, they are unfamiliar with the song or not really much of a fan)

The worst offense was when my husband and I saw Soundgarden at the Tower Theatre in 2013 - we were so lucky to even get tix thru the fanclub presale about halfway up the first balcony / loge. Everyone in our immediate area sat, someone actually asked us to sit down - umm, yeah that wasn't about to happen. There was a photo posted on WXPN radio's blog and you could see my husband and me standing and everyone sitting near us. It was beyond bizarre to me.

 

[Twentytwo]

When I was at the show the other day I realized I am not the biggest fan of Graceless, yet it is a staple of their live shows. I would definitely pick other songs if given the choice from Trouble Will Find Me.

 

[dbarila]

I have been to plenty of "sit down" shows including Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, The Swell Season and similar acts all of which were sit down until the end.

I just can't quite comprehend how someone would sit during Eucalyptus (unless, they are unfamiliar with the song or not really much of a fan)

The worst offense was when my husband and I saw Soundgarden at the Tower Theatre in 2013 - we were so lucky to even get tix thru the fanclub presale about halfway up the first balcony / loge. Everyone in our immediate area sat, someone actually asked us to sit down - umm, yeah that wasn't about to happen. There was a photo posted on WXPN radio's blog and you could see my husband and me standing and everyone sitting near us. It was beyond bizarre to me.

I've had a mixed bag at the Tower Theater. I've seen Arcade Fire (National were actually the opener but I didn't know them at the time ) and Smashing Pumpkins where almost everyone stood. Then I saw Fleet Foxes where almost everyone sat.

 

[threesunrises]

When I was at the show the other day I realized I am not the biggest fan of Graceless, yet it is a staple of their live shows. I would definitely pick other songs if given the choice from Trouble Will Find Me.

100% agree, as does my husband. Would much prefer something in its place.
Also, I don't really ever need to hear I Need My Girl again. It's so funny how some people love those songs and I tolerate them

 

[threesunrises]

I've had a mixed bag at the Tower Theater. I've seen Arcade Fire (National were actually the opener but I didn't know them at the time ) and Smashing Pumpkins where almost everyone stood. Then I saw Fleet Foxes where almost everyone sat.

Damien Rice at the Tower was a sit down, expectedly so. Temple of the Dog was a stand up show from beginning to end. Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile were sit down. Bob Weir was stand up all night. Eddie Vedder solo was sit down (until the very end) Also, a very mixed bag.

I've seen a lot of shows there, including Death Cab / Franz Ferdinand double bill. I was surprised that everyone sat for DCFC, but stood for FF. (Which worked out for my kids as they liked Death Cab more and were pretty young at the time, so they could see)

 

[dbarila]

Damien Rice at the Tower was a sit down, expectedly so. Temple of the Dog was a stand up show from beginning to end. Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile were sit down. Bob Weir was stand up all night. Eddie Vedder solo was sit down (until the very end) Also, a very mixed bag.

I've seen a lot of shows there, including Death Cab / Franz Ferdinand double bill. I was surprised that everyone sat for DCFC, but stood for FF. (Which worked out for my kids as they liked Death Cab more and were pretty young at the time, so they could see)

When was the DCFC/Franz Ferdinand show? I saw them as a double bill back in 2005 or 2006 but it was over in Camden at the Tweeter Center (whatever it's current name is) in it's indoor configuration. I had pit tickets so I had no choice but to stand for both.

 

[Bennnnn]

100% agree, as does my husband. Would much prefer something in its place.
Also, I don't really ever need to hear I Need My Girl again. It's so funny how some people love those songs and I tolerate them

I love Graceless, but agreed on I Need My Girl. The Nashville show was the first time I’ve seen them play it without going into This Is The Last Time (a song I prefer). But while we’re at it, I’d throw in Don’t Swallow The Cap and Fake Empire. I’ve seen then play those live at basically every show, and they have been on most show downloads I have. I like both songs generally, but I’d take a change up live. I haven’t gotten sick of Mr. November live yet.

 

[threesunrises]

When was the DCFC/Franz Ferdinand show? I saw them as a double bill back in 2005 or 2006 but it was over in Camden at the Tweeter Center (whatever it's current name is) in it's indoor configuration. I had pit tickets so I had no choice but to stand for both.

OMG you're right - it was at Camden, not the Tower. We had seen Franz Ferdinand in Upper Darby the year before - I was mixing the shows up.

 

[wokeupnew]

I love Graceless, but agreed on I Need My Girl. The Nashville show was the first time I’ve seen them play it without going into This Is The Last Time (a song I prefer). But while we’re at it, I’d throw in Don’t Swallow The Cap and Fake Empire. I’ve seen then play those live at basically every show, and they have been on most show downloads I have. I like both songs generally, but I’d take a change up live. I haven’t gotten sick of Mr. November live yet.

100% agree, as does my husband. Would much prefer something in its place.
Also, I don't really ever need to hear I Need My Girl again. It's so funny how some people love those songs and I tolerate them

Agreed on I Need My Girl. I think it's too "on-the-nose" sappy. I'd rather Matt's lyrics be just a little bit more cryptic. I also feel like Pink Rabbits is played out. I remember when TWFM came out that and finding that to be one of my least favorite songs only for the band and most fans to absolutely adore it and play it live constantly. Give me Sea of Love, Humilation, This is the Last Time, Don't Swallow the Cap. I absolutely love Graceless though.