Boxer

by The National

Overview

The National don't do anything radically different on Boxer, but then again, they don't really need to: their literate, quietly anthemic take on indie rock seemed to have arrived fully formed on their 2001 self-titled debut. Boxer just hones in even more precisely and intimately on the heartfelt territory the band covers, with punchy-yet-polished production and orchestration by the Clogs' Padma Newsome giving these songs an intimacy and widescreen expansiveness that rivals the Arcade Fire. The album's first four songs are among the National's finest work yet: "Fake Empire" begins as a dead-of-night ballad that echoes Leonard Cohen, then peppy brass and guitars turn it into something joyous. The brooding "Mistaken for Strangers" touches on the side of the band that could be mistaken for a more hopeful Joy Division, if lyrics like "You wouldn't want an angel watching over you?/Surprise surprise, they wouldn't want to watch" can be counted as hopeful. "Brainy," a borderline obsessive love song, shows off the remarkable, dark chocolate richness of Matt Berninger's vocals and how well they complement the band's occasionally bookish lyrics, while "Squalor Victoria" makes the most of Newsome's lavish string arrangements. The rest of Boxer is subtler, but no less accomplished, with each song supporting the other as a classic album should. "Apartment Story"'s hypnotic chug and "Slow Show"'s witty, knowing affection make them standouts, while the graceful, regretful "Ada" plays more like a short story than a song. As focused as it is ambitious, Boxer is riveting. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	05/22/2007
Label:	Beggars Banquet
UPC:	0607618025212

Tracks

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

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The National   Primary Artist
Matt Berninger   Vocals
Bryan Devendorf   Drums
Scott Devendorf   Guitar (Bass)
Bryce Dessner   Guitar
Aaron Dessner   Guitar (Bass)
Sufjan Stevens   Piano
Thomas Bartlett   Keyboards
Tim Albright   Trombone
Sarah Phillips   Clarinet
Carin Besser   Vocals
Pauline DeLassus   Vocals
Ha-Yang Kim   Cello
Rachael Elliott   Bassoon
Padma Newsome   Organ,Viola,Violin
Alexandra Sopp   Flute

Technical Credits

Scott Devendorf   Group Member
Aaron Dessner   Arranger,Producer,Group Member
Matt Berninger   Composer,Group Member
Bryce Dessner   Arranger,Group Member
Bennett Paster   Engineer
Josh Clark   Engineer
Fred Kevorkian   Mastering
Peter Katis   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
The National   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Bryan Devendorf   Group Member
Carin Besser   Composer
Greg Giorgio   Engineer
Nathan Curry   Assistant
Brandon Reid   Engineer
Cory Foley-Marsello   Assistant
Abbey Drucker   Cover Photo
Padma Newsome   Orchestration