The National are a quintessential Urban Outfitters band, which to say the least is not a good thing at all. Not that they have any control over the fact that they sound like they should be bumped in UO, but you know it's sometimes hard to get past things like that.. It would be really hard to get past if The National didn't push out such quality albums; theres really nothing about this band that is 'Hipster Flavor of the Week." Alligator and The Boxer are classic indie records, both of which dish out wonderfully intricate drumming, somber-yet catchy Leonard Cohenesque vocals, and beautiful catchy guitars. High Violet is par for the course, but also a step in a direction that will more likely than not break them into mainstream status. It doesn't help that Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens make guest appearances. Despite the overall self-destructive nature of the album, it is by far their most mature release to date. The National haven't exactly changed their sound, but rather refined it to near perfection.
-YtWt
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