Product Description

'Boxer' is the fourth album from New York based quintet, The National. Produced by the band themselves with help from Peter Katis (Spoon, Interpol) and Fred Kevorkian (Ryan Adams,Regina Spektor), the album sees Matt Beringer and co. continue with the brooding indie rock of their highly praised 2005 release 'Alligator', while fleshing out the sound with orchestral accompaniments. The album includes guest appearancesfrom Sufjan Stevens, Marla Hansen and Australian composer Padma Newsome.

Track Listing

1. Fake Empire
2. Mistaken For Strangers
3. Brainy
4. Squalor Victoria
5. Green Gloves
6. Slow Show
7. Apartment Story
8. Start A War
9. Guest Room
10. Racing Like A Pro
11. Ada
12. Gospel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #387 in Music
• Released on: 2007-05-21
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Don't believe the hype
I bought this based on great reviews by other Amazon users and friend recommendations. They had been likened to the Editors by my friends but the songwriting and arrangements of instruments are just too short of the mark. It's ok but nowhere near 5 stars. It's melodic to a point but as a 5 star album it falls short. It has something and I would probably enjoy a listen in 2 years time, but repeated listening leaves me cold. The songs are bland, no risks are taken and it left me flat. 5 Stars it is not.

I just have to mention the production
Hmmmm. No one seems to have mentioned the production. It is pretty poor. Really takes the edge off what could be a great album.

It's quite muddy - I've tried listening to it on various devices but it's definitely erm, cheap.

a work of art
Boxer is one of the best albums I own. It was lent to me last year by a friend after I complained I wanted some new music to listen to. If you feel the same, you will not go wrong if you buy, borrow or steal this masterpiece by The National.

I'd never heard a single song of theirs before sticking this CD in the player and sitting back. And to be honest, like many reviewers before me, the songs didn't strike me as anything special. The first track, Fake Empire, certainly was immediate, and I found that one mesmerising, at least. It took repeated listens to fully get into and appreciate the rest of the album, and that's the truth. Often when people say 'oh, it took me ages to like this' it means they tried, and they still don't really like it that much. Or it has done in my case! It's easy to give up on something, to throw it aside when you figure there's nothing to gain from persisting - but with Boxer, don't let this happen, don't be fooled. There is immense beauty and honesty to be found in every single song.

Perhaps you'll slip it into the CD player in your car and you're driving so you can't change it and you listen, really listen, and find yourself drawn in. The tales woven here, of love, friendship, life, uncertainty, truth, will seep into your mind and you won't be able to shift them. Mistaken For Strangers, Guest Room, Slow Show, Start A War, Green Gloves. The finely wrought angst and longing will make you take notice, when you're least expecting it. Just the note of a chorus or the tone of Matt Beringer's voice - that's all it takes, and that's all you need. And you'll get out of the car wondering why you never noticed it before.

This was my experience, and actually I'm sorry I won't be able to repeat it, now that I know the album much better. I loved the initial discovery. It's been a slow-burn love affair that's still going strong, and I would highly recommend anybody else who enjoys and appreciates excellent music to be seduced.