solace

let's not forget the fantastic but shortlived Box Tops. #1 single at 16 years old... unreal

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round... *sigh* gonna go drown my sorrows with Ike Reilly now, i'm sure nearly everyone in the bar will be thinking of Alex though

RIP Alex Chilton?? http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/mar/17/memphis-musician-alex-chilton-dies/ FUCK. i really REALLY hope this isn't true, but it seems like it is... :*(

keep your expectations really low for this one

correct. physical release is 5/4, digital was last Tue really? first 2 Whigs albums are great (esp. the first), but this new one is kinda crap for me... sounds like they're trying WAY hard to be Kings of Leon

yup. it's the same console that 'Physical Graffiti' was recorded on: http://www.spinner.c...s-led-zeppelin/ also. blah @ pfork for not recognizing the full brilliance of this one (they gave Dark Horse an 8.3 and this is definitely better, as much as i love that one). oh well, it's pretty high on MetaCritic

01 Terrible Love 02 Sorrow 03 Anyone's Ghost 04 Little Faith 05 Afraid of Everyone 06 Bloodbuzz Ohio 07 Lemonworld 08 Runaway 09 Conversation 16 10 England 11 Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

i think the production on it is quite good for a band of their age/size actually

^^ good record caught them open for Art Brut in October and they were pretty fun, esp. for such young guys. picked up a copy of the self-released version of Astro Coast at that show as well w/ alternate artwork

i like Looking For Astronauts, but never been a huge fan of Val Jester. had they replaced that song with 'Driver, Surprise Me' and replaced Astronauts with 'The Thrilling of Claire', Alligator would have been totally perfect for me.

overall album & cohesiveness-wise i definitely prefer Boxer to Alligator, but Alligator has higher highs (All The Wine (i realize it was released earlier but still), Secret Meeting, Abel, Mr. November, Baby We'll Be Fine, etc.), but Boxer is more consistent and has a much better overall flow & mood for me.

i will say, i really love their cover of Neil Young's 'Don't Let It Bring You Down' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMHBaxN_mfs

it's a pretty pleasant/fun/chill album, i dig it but don't LOVE it. i do however enjoy it more than the last Shins album

that's better than the Philly shows at least, cool

Dark Horse is their 2nd, this is their 3rd album the new one is more dynamic and much more epic. i liked Dark Horse a lot, but this one is quite a bit better for me.

for a band that has always railed against high ticket prices, their ticket prices are starting to get out of hand imo.

agreed

*Pavement **Yo La Tengo ***Sonic Youth

i'd argue there's a lot more to it underneath the surface. it's not an album you can just sample a few tracks or skip through and fully enjoy, it takes a bit of patience, i'll be the first to admit that.

atmospheric/epic/prog rock isn't for everyone that said, i can't imagine too many people not enjoying Albatross or Chicago Train at least

surprisingly BOTH Greg Kot & Jim DeRogatis love the album, they don't agree too often on things: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/besnard-lakes/ http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2010/03/besnard_lakes_besnard_lakes_ar.html

closest 2 shows to us are on a Monday & Tuesday. oh well.

haha... touche. i actually don't care personally what they think of it as long as i love it, it's just i realize how much of a difference something like that can make for a smaller band like them is all, so hopefully for their sake

High Violet artwork: Watch them play the album opener 'Terrible Love' on Fallon: http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2010/03/the-national-debuts-terrible-love/

stunning album/band. Chicago Train is one of my favorite songs this year by far. the guitar tones on the 2nd track "Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent Pt. 2: The Innocent" at the end kick so much ass guessing Pfork will give it a pretty high 8 and Best New Music on Fri or Mon (surprised they haven't reviewed it yet, but it's a busier week) definitely check out their last album 'The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse', it's really damn good too, but i prefer Roaring Night.