I really enjoyed this video. It reminded me of when I first found this channel during your top 100 breakdown. I enjoy the way you describe things, but my favorite is just hearing you talk about music you’re passionate about. Confession, I’ve never given the National a real chance. But now I’m strongly considering giving a couple weeks to their catalogue because of this video. I feel prepared now lol
i remember being at a goodwill and finding a boxer in almost mint condition and i remember hearing the band’s name from you. took it home and it blew me away
It's so interesting how we all experience the music of this fantastic band differently (they are also one of my favorite bands of all time). I discovered the band almost at the same time as you did (for me it was in 2007 - also with Boxer). I couldn't agree with you more with the score you gave to "Daughters of the Soho Riots", "Lucky You" and "Afraid of Everyone." My three favorite songs of the band and yes, a 10/10 for me too. This is my ranking - very different to yours, except that we agree on our #2 album: 8) The National 7) I Am Easy to Find 6) Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers 5) Sleep Well Beast 4) Trouble Will Find Me 3) Alligator 2) Boxer 1) High Violet (my second favorite album of all time).
You originally got me very interested in the national. Coincidence, the first album I listened by them was also Boxer, I found a vinyl me please version at a thrift store. Great find. Have yet to dive in more but looking forward to it.
I just started getting into the national and I also started with Boxer. I was curious to find a ranked list and I knew you were a big fan so I'm glad you made it haha. I'll start listening to their other albums.
i always love seeing fans of the national because it seems like everyone has different opinions, i just picked up my first national album on vinyl (boxer) on lime vinyl, and have been loving it, my favourite national song is nobody else will be there, closely followed by hard to find, also the singles off of first two pages of frankenstein have been amazing so i'm looking goward to getting that on vinyl aswell!
Loved your list, don't necessarily agree with your rankings, but to each their own. My introduction was Fake Empire, and what really grabbed me was how disjointed the rhythm between the vocals and the music were, Boxer and Alligator got me started as a fan, but Sleep Well Beast was the one that I would say REALLY got me in to them. What really shocked me was that I never expected them to be as good as they were live. After seeing them that show has become one of my favorites of all time. Loved the video though. Thanks.
Just got the National Album Day pressing of their debut album pressed on White. Had forgotten what you felt about their first album. So I'm back. Slowly collecting their back catalogue, I'm really hoping they release a special 10th anniversary of Trouble Will Find Me.
I liked the national when I was in high school but I wasn’t a big fan. That changed when i saw the cherry tree reissue earlier this year. It’s cover art caught my eye (such a beautifully composed photo with a very pleasing color palette, except I really don’t like the font they used lol) and I listened to it and I got hooked. I bought it on vinyl right away, and then I started revisiting the albums I used to listen to the most in high school: high violet and boxer. I got them on vinyl too. What an amazing band !
Great video Matt, I have heard High Violet a lot so I would say for me that’s my favourite album but I also really liked listening to Trouble Will Find me. I need to listen to more of their discography, mainly the older stuff soon as I’m a fan of what I’ve heard.
Thanks for this video! I really enjoyed. I really have not been into The National, to be honest. But now I think I will start trying, maybe with Alligator first.
I've been listening to The National since 2003. Here are my rankings: 1. Trouble Will Find Me 2. Boxer 3. Sleep Well Beast 4. High Violet 5. I Am Easy To Find 6. Alligator 7. Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers 8. The National
'Alligator' was the first I heard of theirs, and I have that, 'Boxer' and 'High Violet.' I like them all, and am intrigued to buy some of the ones I don't have, that you've recommended here.
just gotta say, Sleep Well Beast the song is one of my favorite National closers period. It's their most atmospheric, surrealistic song. I love how textured it is.
Some hot takes here for sure, gotta agree SWB did not vibe with me as much as most people. But Dark Side of the Gym is a top 5 national song for me! Nice vid!
They're one of my favourite bands too! I absolutely agree that HV is overrated and SSFDL is underrated. Cardinal Song is one of my favourite songs of all time period and SSFDL is one of my fave National albums to listen to in full. Having a copy of Boxer or Alligator signed by any member of the band is something I'd love to have in my collection one day. My ranking fluctuates a bit from time to time but it's approximated below: Boxer Alligator Trouble Will Find Me Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers High Violet Sleep Well Beast The National I Am Easy to Find
Hi, this is Panos from Athens, Greece, a huge fan of The National. Although I totally disagree with your ranking of The National album catalogue, although I disagree with the method you ranked them (rating each song individually, sum, and average), I enjoyed your video very much because it shared my love with yours for the National, it'll make me give another try to albums such as Boxer and Alligator and to some specific songs you mentioned and I haven't give them the proper attention they may deserve. My most favourite albums so far are Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, High Violet, Trouble Will Find Me, Sleep Well Beast, I Am Easy To Find and my least favorites, so far, are The National, Boxer and Alligator though I love them all. Some day I am going to make a video of my own for the ranking of the studio albums of The National. Cheers.
Hey Panos! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I'm glad you love the band so much. I've honestly never heard of a fan of the band (to the capacity you are) not loving Boxer. Definitely relisten to Alligator and Boxer and maybe they'll click for you!
@@TooManyRecords I didn't say I don't love Boxer, it's just not one of my very favourites. I definetely love "Fake empire", "Brainy", "Green gloves", "Slow show", "Apartment story" such a great prophetic song for the days we live. I'm already listening Boxer again! Take care!
Great review only one small issue a 6 for theory of the crows! I would say a strong 8 personally. I have been a fan since 2006 right around alligator and never looked back this is my ranking including cherry tree. In case you want a eastern Canadian point of view, Starting from my favourite to least favourite but like yourself I love them all 1.Boxer 2. Alligator 3. Self titled 4. Cherry tree 5. Trouble will find me 6. Sad songs for dirty lovers 7.High violet 8. I am easy to find 9. Sleep well beast Thanks for a great video, ranking a bands discography is a great idea you should do more 👍🏻
thank you so much for the thoughtful comment. cherry tree is so stellar but i couldn't put it in with the studio albums, didn't feel right. i'm heartbroken that you have IAETF so low, any reason why? Also, surprised at how high the S/T is but I can't fault you for it!
@@TooManyRecords i love the self titled because it came out in 2001 and thinking about how ahead of its time it was is mind blowing. Once I heard alligator in 2006 I of course deep dived and immediately connected with the self title, I guess it felt special and so unique for the time that it came out. Back when I started listening to the national sad songs was the weakest for me but grown on me over the years like a fine wine. No worries on cherry tree lol I was mostly just wondering if you had the red pressing? I really enjoy seeing your colour variants. And either being sick with jealousy 😂 or pumped that I have the same one. And lastly I am easy to find is growing on me daily i did love Rylan as soon as it came out but I just did not give it a real good listen, mostly because sleep well beast did not click for me so I was hesitant about I am easy too find. Then just a few months ago I watched the short film and you are right, it was like the missing piece needed and I find myself liking it a lot more. So much like sad songs I can see it moving up the list.
I was in fact surprised to see Sleep Well, Beast on the bottom, but I still appreciate your rankings, especially considering your advanced metrics for making them. At any rate, I love hearing you talk about The National and how passionate you are about your favorite band
They are definitely a band I appreciate and can listen to any of their records from beginning to end without ever needing to skip a song. I feel the need to ask you an "audiophile" question: Sonicly speaking only, are all their vinyl releases sub par compared to the CD and/or streaming version? If not, which one(s) sounds better on vinyl?
I disagree with you on a few things, but I 100% agree with you on I Am Easy To Find.🙏🏽 I love how you can really hear this record in Taylor Swift's Folklore and overall this record just destroys my emotions then puts them back together.
I'm so sorry but the motorcade will have to go around me this time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..............All the wine mate........you nailed it !!!!! Got all the albums, ......Love the band......but that song, even today.....after all these years.......does it for me........Great video !!!!!!!
It’s hard to find people who love Alligator as much as I do. I know it’s supposed to be a fan favorite, but everyone I meet says Boxer or High Violet. You, sir, are a man of good taste. Interestingly enough I also got into the band when Boxer came out and rank it as my number 2. And I also think Sad Songs is horribly underrated. People tend to say “they didn’t find their sound” or “they sound like other bands” as if that is equivalent to saying the songs are bad. Unlike you, though, High Violet is my number 3. It may be partly because I was in New York when it was released and I listened to it all throughout my trip, it may also be because I found Vanderlyle devastatingly beautiful. Thanks for this list, Mon frere.
1. I Am Easy To Find 2. Trouble Will Find Me 3. Boxer 4. Sleep Well Beast 5. High Violet 6. Alligator 7. Sad Songs 8. Self titled I think I need to listen to the first 3 albums by them a lot more to give a more fair ranking, but all I know is I Am Easy to Find is my 3rd favorite album of all time so that’s staying where it is haha
For me: 1) Alligator 2) Boxer 3) Sleep Well Beast 4) High Violet 5) Trouble Will Find Me 6) I Am Easy To Find 7) Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers 8 The National
I find it weird that this band mastering of their vinyl was really lacking and I very surprised because of how popular they are they put no thought into the sound quailty.
@@TooManyRecords yep! Sleep well was the last album I bought and just got it to complete the discography. High violet songs are fun live, but the album just doesn’t go all the way through like the ones above it. Really enjoyed this video. Cheers!
Loved the video! Here’s my ranking: 8. SSFDL: this one just doesn’t connect with me musically like their other records, but available is a top ten song for me. 7. Alligator: I probably need to give this one a couple more listens. It just doesn’t really stick in my mind as an album as much as their others. 6. The National: LOVE the country vibes, but the songwriting here is weak at times. Theory of the Crows is a top ten Ntl song for me tho It becomes hard after this 5. High Violet: pretty overrated, I agree. The terrible love album version is seriously lacking in oomph, as is vanderlyle. All the songs really are great live, but in a way that makes the studio recordings seem lesser by comparison. Still a great record though. 4. Boxer: I have no criticisms of this record-it is so good. I just have more personal connections to the remaining albums. 3. IAETF: the first album I got to hype for, as I found them in 2018. The production on this record is superb, and each song really has its own identity. I also love the film soundtrack third disc on the vinyl-I’ve probably played it more than the rest of the record. The remix of rylan is absolutely amazing. 2. Sleep Well Beast: I love every song on this record. I’ll still destroy you is definitely my #2 fav song by them. This is the album that piqued my interest, but... 1. Trouble will find me: this album helped me through a really bad time in my life. Demons is my favourite song probably ever. Yes, the album is uneven and flawed, but for me that adds to its majesty. It has helped me deal with chronic anxiety and depression, seeing it’s ok to have flaws and love those flaws until they don’t seem negative anymore. Seeing graceless live and losing my voice screaming at the end is like one of my best experiences ever. I would put Virginia probably right before ssfdl just for the live version of about today, and cherry tree would probably slot right under high violet, but those kinda don’t count.
I love how our rankings are so WILDLY different, but that shows how damn versatile this band is. RE: High Violet, I think that's how I feel too. The worst part is that I had tickets to Homecoming last year to see them do the whole thing front to back... sigh.
My favorite band of the 2000s and top 10 all time. I’d never heard of The National until Alligator came out, specifically Mr. November. First saw them live when they opened for REM in 2008. High Violet is my favorite National album, Terrible Love is my favorite opener. Surprised to hear that ‘I Need My Girl’ is their most popular song. I would have thought Bloodbuzz Ohio, Mr. November or Fake Empire? How did you like the Mistaken For Strangers film?
Yes. They are a significant improvement and they bode well for further remasters of the rest. Matt is right about everything after that but the first two and ‘Cherry Tree EP’ are now excellent on vinyl. EU cuts are the ones to get as they pressed the Abbey Road remaster at Optimal, whereas the US editions were done through GZ.
I listened to High Violet a lot when it came out and yeah: Afraid of Everyone and Conversation 16 are both 10 out of 10 songs. My favourites of theirs. I never really got into any other of their albums, though.
@@TooManyRecords No, I did not. I had High Violet on CD. I switched over to vinyl shortly after it came out (a mere coincidence). I bought Boxer, and when it came out, Trouble Will Find Me. I ended up selling both a few years later. This band is just not for me. Your video was still tons of fun to watch and grading the individual songs against each other within the album is a good way to come up with a final grade for the album.
@@TooManyRecords check him out if you wanna see like a fresh take at music critiques and analysis. Especially his deep discog dive series. Both of you make great stuff so any cross over would be amazing.
Nobody Else Will Be There is their best opener in my opinion. Boxer or Trouble Will Find Me are their best albums. Alligator is absolute last for me in the ‘post-alligator’ output, and Secret Meeting and Karen definitely aren’t 10s or 9s.
I really enjoyed this video. It reminded me of when I first found this channel during your top 100 breakdown. I enjoy the way you describe things, but my favorite is just hearing you talk about music you’re passionate about. Confession, I’ve never given the National a real chance. But now I’m strongly considering giving a couple weeks to their catalogue because of this video. I feel prepared now lol
Honestly Christian I would love nothing more than to follow you on that journey.
Nice job, Matt. I really enjoyed hearing your passionate insights on your favorite band!!!
i remember being at a goodwill and finding a boxer in almost mint condition and i remember hearing the band’s name from you. took it home and it blew me away
At a goodwill?! That’s insane.
It's so interesting how we all experience the music of this fantastic band differently (they are also one of my favorite bands of all time). I discovered the band almost at the same time as you did (for me it was in 2007 - also with Boxer). I couldn't agree with you more with the score you gave to "Daughters of the Soho Riots", "Lucky You" and "Afraid of Everyone." My three favorite songs of the band and yes, a 10/10 for me too. This is my ranking - very different to yours, except that we agree on our #2 album:
8) The National
7) I Am Easy to Find
6) Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
5) Sleep Well Beast
4) Trouble Will Find Me
3) Alligator
2) Boxer
1) High Violet (my second favorite album of all time).
You originally got me very interested in the national. Coincidence, the first album I listened by them was also Boxer, I found a vinyl me please version at a thrift store. Great find. Have yet to dive in more but looking forward to it.
I hope this video gives you a good starting place Joshua!
Yep- this is definitely convincing me to explore The National more. Nice video as always!
I just started getting into the national and I also started with Boxer. I was curious to find a ranked list and I knew you were a big fan so I'm glad you made it haha. I'll start listening to their other albums.
I'm glad this is hitting at the right time for ya, James! Let me know what you think as you dive deeper.
@@TooManyRecords I definitely will!
i always love seeing fans of the national because it seems like everyone has different opinions, i just picked up my first national album on vinyl (boxer) on lime vinyl, and have been loving it, my favourite national song is nobody else will be there, closely followed by hard to find, also the singles off of first two pages of frankenstein have been amazing so i'm looking goward to getting that on vinyl aswell!
Loved your list, don't necessarily agree with your rankings, but to each their own. My introduction was Fake Empire, and what really grabbed me was how disjointed the rhythm between the vocals and the music were, Boxer and Alligator got me started as a fan, but Sleep Well Beast was the one that I would say REALLY got me in to them. What really shocked me was that I never expected them to be as good as they were live. After seeing them that show has become one of my favorites of all time. Loved the video though. Thanks.
Love the reviews and the rankings. I can never choose between Aligator or Boxer. Rock on brother.
Just got the National Album Day pressing of their debut album pressed on White. Had forgotten what you felt about their first album. So I'm back. Slowly collecting their back catalogue, I'm really hoping they release a special 10th anniversary of Trouble Will Find Me.
you know I’ve been wanting to get into the national just because of you
This video should be the perfect companion for that journey :)
absolutely, thanks Matt!
@@oddball7857 When you dive in, share your thoughts with me!
I listened to alligator, it was great
I liked the national when I was in high school but I wasn’t a big fan. That changed when i saw the cherry tree reissue earlier this year. It’s cover art caught my eye (such a beautifully composed photo with a very pleasing color palette, except I really don’t like the font they used lol) and I listened to it and I got hooked. I bought it on vinyl right away, and then I started revisiting the albums I used to listen to the most in high school: high violet and boxer. I got them on vinyl too. What an amazing band !
I'm glad you came around!
Great video Matt, I have heard High Violet a lot so I would say for me that’s my favourite album but I also really liked listening to Trouble Will Find me. I need to listen to more of their discography, mainly the older stuff soon as I’m a fan of what I’ve heard.
If this video says anything, it's that the older stuff will blow you away!
Thanks for this video! I really enjoyed.
I really have not been into The National, to be honest. But now I think I will start trying, maybe with Alligator first.
Cesar... keep me posted brother. It's a great entry point.
I've been listening to The National since 2003. Here are my rankings: 1. Trouble Will Find Me
2. Boxer
3. Sleep Well Beast
4. High Violet
5. I Am Easy To Find
6. Alligator
7. Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
8. The National
'Alligator' was the first I heard of theirs, and I have that, 'Boxer' and 'High Violet.' I like them all, and am intrigued to buy some of the ones I don't have, that you've recommended here.
Dive in!! And tell me what you think when you do.
just gotta say, Sleep Well Beast the song is one of my favorite National closers period. It's their most atmospheric, surrealistic song. I love how textured it is.
8. I Am Easy To Find
7. The National
6. High Violet
5. Sleep Well Beast
4. Alligator
3. Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
2. Trouble Will Find Me
1. Boxer
Solid list but I'd swap 8 and 5 obviously.
I am also a big fan of The National too. Very tough ranking indeed.
Some hot takes here for sure, gotta agree SWB did not vibe with me as much as most people. But Dark Side of the Gym is a top 5 national song for me! Nice vid!
Gotta have SOME hot takes to keep it interesting, right? :)
They're one of my favourite bands too! I absolutely agree that HV is overrated and SSFDL is underrated. Cardinal Song is one of my favourite songs of all time period and SSFDL is one of my fave National albums to listen to in full. Having a copy of Boxer or Alligator signed by any member of the band is something I'd love to have in my collection one day.
My ranking fluctuates a bit from time to time but it's approximated below:
Boxer
Alligator
Trouble Will Find Me
Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
High Violet
Sleep Well Beast
The National
I Am Easy to Find
Hi, this is Panos from Athens, Greece, a huge fan of The National. Although I totally disagree with your ranking of The National album catalogue, although I disagree with the method you ranked them (rating each song individually, sum, and average), I enjoyed your video very much because it shared my love with yours for the National, it'll make me give another try to albums such as Boxer and Alligator and to some specific songs you mentioned and I haven't give them the proper attention they may deserve. My most favourite albums so far are Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, High Violet, Trouble Will Find Me, Sleep Well Beast, I Am Easy To Find and my least favorites, so far, are The National, Boxer and Alligator though I love them all. Some day I am going to make a video of my own for the ranking of the studio albums of The National. Cheers.
Hey Panos! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I'm glad you love the band so much. I've honestly never heard of a fan of the band (to the capacity you are) not loving Boxer. Definitely relisten to Alligator and Boxer and maybe they'll click for you!
@@TooManyRecords I didn't say I don't love Boxer, it's just not one of my very favourites. I definetely love "Fake empire", "Brainy", "Green gloves", "Slow show", "Apartment story" such a great prophetic song for the days we live. I'm already listening Boxer again! Take care!
Great review only one small issue a 6 for theory of the crows! I would say a strong 8 personally. I have been a fan since 2006 right around alligator and never looked back this is my ranking including cherry tree. In case you want a eastern Canadian point of view,
Starting from my favourite to least favourite but like yourself I love them all
1.Boxer
2. Alligator
3. Self titled
4. Cherry tree
5. Trouble will find me
6. Sad songs for dirty lovers
7.High violet
8. I am easy to find
9. Sleep well beast
Thanks for a great video, ranking a bands discography is a great idea you should do more 👍🏻
thank you so much for the thoughtful comment. cherry tree is so stellar but i couldn't put it in with the studio albums, didn't feel right. i'm heartbroken that you have IAETF so low, any reason why? Also, surprised at how high the S/T is but I can't fault you for it!
@@TooManyRecords i love the self titled because it came out in 2001 and thinking about how ahead of its time it was is mind blowing. Once I heard alligator in 2006 I of course deep dived and immediately connected with the self title, I guess it felt special and so unique for the time that it came out.
Back when I started listening to the national sad songs was the weakest for me but grown on me over the years like a fine wine.
No worries on cherry tree lol I was mostly just wondering if you had the red pressing? I really enjoy seeing your colour variants. And either being sick with jealousy 😂 or pumped that I have the same one.
And lastly I am easy to find is growing on me daily i did love Rylan as soon as it came out but I just did not give it a real good listen, mostly because sleep well beast did not click for me so I was hesitant about I am easy too find. Then just a few months ago I watched the short film and you are right, it was like the missing piece needed and I find myself liking it a lot more.
So much like sad songs I can see it moving up the list.
@@adammolaison9789 I have the red and black marble, the red 12" AND the red 10" ;)
I was in fact surprised to see Sleep Well, Beast on the bottom, but I still appreciate your rankings, especially considering your advanced metrics for making them. At any rate, I love hearing you talk about The National and how passionate you are about your favorite band
What did you expect the bottom few to be?
@@TooManyRecords s/t debut. To be fair, that was second to last so it wasn’t far off haha
They are definitely a band I appreciate and can listen to any of their records from beginning to end without ever needing to skip a song. I feel the need to ask you an "audiophile" question: Sonicly speaking only, are all their vinyl releases sub par compared to the CD and/or streaming version? If not, which one(s) sounds better on vinyl?
I don’t think the vinyl versions stand out. The recent remasters might be better I haven’t had a chance to spin them yet.
@@TooManyRecords Thanks. Appreciate your perspective.
I agree...but it might just be because I've been watching your videos for so long that you slowly brainwashed me :) 🥊🐊
Bueno.... hehehe
I disagree with you on a few things, but I 100% agree with you on I Am Easy To Find.🙏🏽 I love how you can really hear this record in Taylor Swift's Folklore and overall this record just destroys my emotions then puts them back together.
Exactly.
I'm so sorry but the motorcade will have to go around me this time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..............All the wine mate........you nailed it !!!!! Got all the albums, ......Love the band......but that song, even today.....after all these years.......does it for me........Great video !!!!!!!
Their best song!
It’s hard to find people who love Alligator as much as I do. I know it’s supposed to be a fan favorite, but everyone I meet says Boxer or High Violet. You, sir, are a man of good taste. Interestingly enough I also got into the band when Boxer came out and rank it as my number 2. And I also think Sad Songs is horribly underrated. People tend to say “they didn’t find their sound” or “they sound like other bands” as if that is equivalent to saying the songs are bad. Unlike you, though, High Violet is my number 3. It may be partly because I was in New York when it was released and I listened to it all throughout my trip, it may also be because I found Vanderlyle devastatingly beautiful. Thanks for this list, Mon frere.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your pro take ;)
1. I Am Easy To Find
2. Trouble Will Find Me
3. Boxer
4. Sleep Well Beast
5. High Violet
6. Alligator
7. Sad Songs
8. Self titled
I think I need to listen to the first 3 albums by them a lot more to give a more fair ranking, but all I know is I Am Easy to Find is my 3rd favorite album of all time so that’s staying where it is haha
For me:
1) Alligator
2) Boxer
3) Sleep Well Beast
4) High Violet
5) Trouble Will Find Me
6) I Am Easy To Find
7) Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
8 The National
Bruh I’m a huge National fan and had no idea you were a fan!
This must be your first video on the channel :P
I find it weird that this band mastering of their vinyl was really lacking and I very surprised because of how popular they are they put no thought into the sound quailty.
I sadly agree and I really hope for a full remastered box set one day.
1. Trouble Will Find Me
2. Alligator
3. Boxer
4. Sleep Well Beast
5. The National
6. High Violet
7. I Am Easy to Find
8. Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
Agree 100%!
Dang! The entire order?!
@@TooManyRecords yep! Sleep well was the last album I bought and just got it to complete the discography. High violet songs are fun live, but the album just doesn’t go all the way through like the ones above it. Really enjoyed this video. Cheers!
@@nccatim That's awesome Tim, thanks for taking the time to comment
1. Easy to Find 2. Trouble 3. High Violet 4. Boxer 5. Sleep Well 6. Cyrano Soundtrack 7. Alligator
Putting High Violet @ #6 and rating Lemonworld and England at 7’s has reminded me that we are all human and make mistakes
Bruhhhhh SWB is my favorite 💔
I'd love to know how Frankenstein and Laugh Track would fit into this ranking.
Loved the video! Here’s my ranking:
8. SSFDL: this one just doesn’t connect with me musically like their other records, but available is a top ten song for me.
7. Alligator: I probably need to give this one a couple more listens. It just doesn’t really stick in my mind as an album as much as their others.
6. The National: LOVE the country vibes, but the songwriting here is weak at times. Theory of the Crows is a top ten Ntl song for me tho
It becomes hard after this
5. High Violet: pretty overrated, I agree. The terrible love album version is seriously lacking in oomph, as is vanderlyle. All the songs really are great live, but in a way that makes the studio recordings seem lesser by comparison. Still a great record though.
4. Boxer: I have no criticisms of this record-it is so good. I just have more personal connections to the remaining albums.
3. IAETF: the first album I got to hype for, as I found them in 2018. The production on this record is superb, and each song really has its own identity. I also love the film soundtrack third disc on the vinyl-I’ve probably played it more than the rest of the record. The remix of rylan is absolutely amazing.
2. Sleep Well Beast: I love every song on this record. I’ll still destroy you is definitely my #2 fav song by them. This is the album that piqued my interest, but...
1. Trouble will find me: this album helped me through a really bad time in my life. Demons is my favourite song probably ever. Yes, the album is uneven and flawed, but for me that adds to its majesty. It has helped me deal with chronic anxiety and depression, seeing it’s ok to have flaws and love those flaws until they don’t seem negative anymore. Seeing graceless live and losing my voice screaming at the end is like one of my best experiences ever.
I would put Virginia probably right before ssfdl just for the live version of about today, and cherry tree would probably slot right under high violet, but those kinda don’t count.
I love how our rankings are so WILDLY different, but that shows how damn versatile this band is.
RE: High Violet, I think that's how I feel too. The worst part is that I had tickets to Homecoming last year to see them do the whole thing front to back... sigh.
I actually enjoyed your marking system, as a math teacher I appreciate percentages
As an English major, math breaks my brain. This seemed like a simple solution though ;)
My favorite band of the 2000s and top 10 all time. I’d never heard of The National until Alligator came out, specifically Mr. November. First saw them live when they opened for REM in 2008. High Violet is my favorite National album, Terrible Love is my favorite opener. Surprised to hear that ‘I Need My Girl’ is their most popular song. I would have thought Bloodbuzz Ohio, Mr. November or Fake Empire? How did you like the Mistaken For Strangers film?
I LOVED the film. I went to the LA Q&A and got to meet Matt and Tom after.
@@TooManyRecords Nice. Was that at the screening before the Shrine show or somewhere else. Loved that movie. Reminded me of my two of my sons.
I'm wondering if you (anyone) have compared the recent Abby Road Reissues of their earlier LPs and can compare to original pressings/mastering.
Yes. They are a significant improvement and they bode well for further remasters of the rest. Matt is right about everything after that but the first two and ‘Cherry Tree EP’ are now excellent on vinyl. EU cuts are the ones to get as they pressed the Abbey Road remaster at Optimal, whereas the US editions were done through GZ.
@@justplayed2555 Awsome..thanks for the reply and the recommendation!
*ALLIGATOR is the best album in the entire world of the music*
*YES*
I listened to High Violet a lot when it came out and yeah: Afraid of Everyone and Conversation 16 are both 10 out of 10 songs. My favourites of theirs. I never really got into any other of their albums, though.
Dang. Did you try them all?
@@TooManyRecords No, I did not. I had High Violet on CD. I switched over to vinyl shortly after it came out (a mere coincidence). I bought Boxer, and when it came out, Trouble Will Find Me. I ended up selling both a few years later. This band is just not for me. Your video was still tons of fun to watch and grading the individual songs against each other within the album is a good way to come up with a final grade for the album.
Boxer and Alligator are my favorites too. I alternate between which one I think is their best.
If Alligator isn’t number 1, I’d be shocked. I like I am easy to find the best.
gotta watch to find out
I would pay to watch you and Mic The Snare have like an hour discussion about The National.
I'm not familiar with his stuff but I'm down to talk about The National with anyone for an hour (at least)
@@TooManyRecords check him out if you wanna see like a fresh take at music critiques and analysis. Especially his deep discog dive series. Both of you make great stuff so any cross over would be amazing.
Controversial but correct!
That's what I was goin' for!
Pearl Jam Disco next.
Definitly on the list, gonna take a while to go back through and do my system to them all though.
@@TooManyRecords Look forward to seeing it next week. ;)
Nobody Else Will Be There is their best opener in my opinion.
Boxer or Trouble Will Find Me are their best albums. Alligator is absolute last for me in the ‘post-alligator’ output, and Secret Meeting and Karen definitely aren’t 10s or 9s.
I also love Sleep Well Beast.
Do a Sufjan Stevens one!
That sounds awesome and I'd love to. Let's see how this one does... they're a lot of effort and this one isn't taking off as I had hoped it would.
Alligator? over boxer and TWFM?? lol ok
I mean, all the albums are nearly perfect, it's personal perference.
Hi
Yo!
“I am easy to find” is easily the worst
This is always such a wild take to me.
Poor Pearl Jam I have heard you say many a time they are the greatest band of all times
They're a top 3 for me, but I don't think I've ever said they're the greatest.
The brain damage