Idolator
Admittedly, there's a bit of conflict of interest here (Maura's engaged to the author, I consider him a friend), but we would be out of line if we didn't at least mention J. Edward Keyes' rumination on the career arc of the National, who he's followed since their earliest days, and the remarkably interesting discussion of digital-age listening habits going on in the comments. [The National: Are We Sure These Guys Aren't British?
Judging by the trailer for A Skin, A Night, an upcoming documentary about smoky NYC swoon rockers the National, the band sat around in either incredibly dark or blindingly bright rooms, scratching their eyes, clapping into microphones and drinking for over half a year while recording Boxer. "We're very much in the middle of something...we don't know where we'll end up. Maybe the record will be the film." Don't you have to be British to be this dramatic? Especially if you sound like a more accessible Tindersticks? More »
