The National roll call

Great show.

But first, a quick aside on a common topic - the chatter. Tons of it last night. Like taking a few pictures, I think that talking at a show is well within your right as a showgoer. It's a social event. If you've got something to say to someone, go ahead and say it. But, damn, it's not a cocktail party. You can't really enjoy the music if you are talking over every single song. It's just going to blend together and sound like background music. Why buy the ticket if all you want is background music?

Ok, had to say that. The show itself was great. I missed baby dayliner, but maybe that was the right call. I had heard a few National tracks before but had never seen them live.

My overall thought is that I really like the group's musicianship. The lead singer was ok. He has an interesting style that really works on some songs, and he definitely gets into it, but I didn't really care for his voice. He only had two levels - calm and scream. The highlights for me were the extended jams and interplay between the two guitarists and the drummer.

I don't know if it's talent or what, but I thought the National delivered live in the exact way that CYHSY does not. Regardless of the quality of the songwriting or album production, there's something about playing your instruments well, having musical chemistry, and experimenting or expressing yourself on stage that all add up to a "greater than the sum of the parts" experience than a band just playing through a set of songs.

To me, that's how a band connects with the audience and it's why I go see shows. When it's done right, it becomes a truly creative moment that will be different every time - you have to be there to see it.

i thought baby dayliner was great. i too got to shake his hand (well, ok, hug him) and was offered a gift cd. i also was informed he'll be back this spring.

i thought the national were wonderful. love love love. the crowd was dire, far too many talkers, even near the front which surprised me. but they didn't detract from the performance. oh, and i'd like to apologize to anyone who was offended by my picture-taking… ;)

Originally posted by megs:
i thought baby dayliner was great. (well, ok, hug him) and was offered a gift cd. i also was informed he'll be back this spring.

you really are awful, well at least you can't split up the band yoko. :p

Baby Dayliner was one of the most bizarre acts I've seen in a while. He definitely had guts though. He didn't crack a smile during the whole set. I kept waiting for a wink or something. Nothin'! I couldn't tell if it was a joke. I can't say I liked the songs, but they made me laugh. It was just so strange.

I loved The National. At first I thought the songs might not grab me, but then they amped it up and really won me over. The ends of the songs were my favorite parts. A lot of complicated guitar work and swirling sound. And the lead singers pain and intensity really came through. I liked it when he pulled the mic to the middle of the stage and surrounded himself with the rest of the band. He seemed to truly lose his bearings. And re: not playing as many old songs: While waiting in the merch line, someone asked the Baby Dayliner guy why The National didn't play some particular song. He said the lead singer just broke up with his girlfriend (or something like that -it was some trauma) and certain songs are too painful for him to perform right now. Fair enough.
I will definitely see them again. I didn't expect their sound to come across as complicated but it did.

Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
I didn't expect their sound to come across as complicated but it did.

I would definitely call it layered, and I think this is why I feel Alligator has to be listened to alot before realizing how good it is. When I first listened to it I didnt think it was nearly as good as Sad Songs (like many others on here) but now I think Alligator is the better album.

Originally posted by pdx pollard:

Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
I didn't expect their sound to come across as complicated but it did.

I would definitely call it layered, and I think this is why I feel Alligator has to be listened to alot before realizing how good it is. When I first listened to it I didnt think it was nearly as good as Sad Songs (like many others on here) but now I think Alligator is the better album.

Agreed. On first listen - I didn't care for Geese of Beverly Road. Now I think it's their best song.

Originally posted by Tom Servo:
I don't know if it's talent or what, but I thought the National delivered live in the exact way that CYHSY does not. Regardless of the quality of the songwriting or album production, there's something about playing your instruments well, having musical chemistry, and experimenting or expressing yourself on stage that all add up to a "greater than the sum of the parts" experience than a band just playing through a set of songs.

To me, that's how a band connects with the audience and it's why I go see shows. When it's done right, it becomes a truly creative moment that will be different every time - you have to be there to see it.

Well said! Er, written, I mean.