Some describe Brooklyn's 'The National' as America's answer to Tindersticks. Being a Tindersticks fanatic, TracksandGigs can't really hear the similarity. Sure, they have the melancholy but do they have the humour? And musically, there are big differences. On their early records, especially the 'Cherry Tree EP', The National showed the same lightness of touch as Tindersticks, but their most recent two albums 'Alligator' and last year's 'Boxer' are much denser, led by drums and vocals.
They are both essential albums though, 'Alligator' has more in the way of fireworks, whereas 'Boxer' sticks to a formula led by some supreme drumming and nagging melodies. 'The Virginia EP', released with a dvd documentary of the making of 'Boxer' is a mix of odds and sods to tide fans over until the next album arrives.
The first three tracks are all songs that could have made it onto 'Boxer'. In the case of 'Blank State', it is more a case of 'should'. In many ways a companion song to 'Mistaken For Strangers', it would have added a bit of 'thrust' to 'Boxer'. The middle third of the record is largely made up of demos and is a little pedestrian and dull. The highlight is an early demo of the beautiful 'Slow Show' which will be of interest to fans due to it's major differences with the finished version.
The last third of the record features live recordings, including a Springsteen cover ('Mansion on the Hill' is a fairly predictable choice) and an extended 'About Today'.
Its all nice enough and serves the purpose for which it was intended, but it will be interesting to see where The National go next and 'The Virginia EP' offers no clues regarding this.
6.4
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