In the Studio: The National Get Loud on Follow-Up to “Boxer” 2/16/10, 2:43 pm EST Photograph by Sylvere H.
When Brooklyn baroque-pop group the National released Boxer in 2007, it was a left-field critical and commercial success that helped them score them an opening slot for R.E.M. Even Barack Obama used the stately piano ballad “Fake Empire” on his campaign trail the following year.
Three years later, the National are putting the finishing touches on their anticipated follow-up, logging marathon days mixing tracks at a studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut. “We’re finishing all the songs in this sort of run-down Victorian house,” says guitarist Aaron Dessner. “The mixing is really important part of the process — we tend to really edit ourselves heavily.” Dessner says the still-untitled album (due May 11th) has “a darker and meaner” vibe than previous efforts but that it is also “catchier and more of a pop record,” referring to tracks like propulsive guitar-powered rocker “Blood Buzz, Ohio” and the orchestral anthem “L.A. Cathedral.” Berninger, who punctuates National songs with his transfixing, Leonard Cohen-style baritone, also returns to screaming in a similar manner as early National rockers like “Abel.” “Our last album was more restrained and this is definitely a louder record,” says Dessner.
Still, Boxer fans will find plenty to like too, especially on tracks like “Runaway.” “It’s the most understated, spacious song on the album,” says Dessner. “It’s the only one of its kind, as far as a ballad.” Other cuts, like “Little Space,” revolve around guitar loops and double bass. “That’s a new thing in our music,” says Dessner.
For the new record, the group also rallied a crew of their musician pals to contribute vocals, including Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. “We never thought of it as getting special guest stars or anything,” says Dessner. “It’s more like our friends coming through for us.”
The National — Dessner and his brother Bryce; brothers Scott and Bryan Devendorf and Berninger — are perfectionists when it comes to recording in the studio and Aaron admits that bandmates don’t always agree creatively. “We’re really critical of ourselves,” he says. “And we spend a lot of time destroying and re-recording tracks.” Still, he knows that the hard work and frustration pays off. “We’re making huge strides every day,” he says. “We’re all about making the record better.”
Post subject: Re: The National - Untitled LP# 5 due out May 11th
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:39 pm
Supersonic
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:52 pm Posts: 10620 Location: Chicago, IL Gender: Male
I wasn't that keen on the new stuff they played last summer. But that was, in fact, last summer. Based on the demos for some of the Boxer songs, we know that they can make a lot of changes to songs between inception and completion (particularly last-minute ones like they made to Brainy). I'm really looking forward to this.
Post subject: Re: The National - Untitled LP# 5 due out May 11th
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:18 am
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:40 am Posts: 5773 Location: S. MPLS
Chris_H_2 wrote:
I wasn't that keen on the new stuff they played last summer. But that was, in fact, last summer. Based on the demos for some of the Boxer songs, we know that they can make a lot of changes to songs between inception and completion (particularly last-minute ones like they made to Brainy). I'm really looking forward to this.
Blood Buzz, OH was amazing, Runaway was REALLY really great too (not that great at Pitchfork tho, but fantastic 2 nights before @ First Avenue to open the show)
Post subject: Re: The National - Untitled LP# 5 due out May 11th
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:24 am
Interweb Celebrity
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
They were on Jimmy Fallon tonight, really liked what they played. Think it was the first single?
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
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