Needles & Grooves

I also don't agree with Woobs post on the National, because Sleep well Beast has become my favorite the National album

High Violet is the best The National album period

As someone who adds up all these year end lists I'm fully aware that I'm in the minority of my National hate around here. I just feel like theyve found a lane and have stuck to it and that lane has grown boring to me.

Ewww to the max! That is the most unattractive post ever Hollywood!

Just seeing Taylor Swift > Fiona Apple is semi heart-breaking for me!

@Woob_woob I've found that I respect the national way more than I enjoy em. I appreciate what they stand for but they tend to make me zone out

On the taylor convo, as someone with a complicated history with her music (I love about half of it and absolutely detest the rest) I'm intrigued by her new style but i doubt she'll take it far enough to be interesting (unlike lana who took the style and made it her own)

Yeah, I also would like to mention that Lana Del Rey's Norman Fucking Rockwell is such an incredible album! ❤

I will give Taylor credit over The National, because at least shes trying new things

OMG Woob! I'm also not a fan of The National, but can see the appeal! I'm low-key happy we both don't like The National and Taylor Swift! Twins!

Also, Animal Collective are so much hotter as a band compared to The National!

I don't understand all the hate for T Swift??? She is obviously a talented artist with a beautiful voice but because she is a former American Idol winner and is best know for her pop-centric style she doesn't measure up to other indie-pop artists especially on this record!?!?

After one listen, I love it. And will probably end up ranking it above Fetch the Bolt Cutters (though its too early so say yet)
As someone who's two favorite genres are Pop and Country, I obviously love Taylor. And I 've been a huge Jack Antonoff fan since seeing Steel Train perform at a small little venue by me back when I was like 18. I love all of her albums but this is the one I hoped she'd make for awhile.

@Hollywood I think you're mixing her up with Carrie Underwood (unless that joke went over my head). Not the talented part, because Taylor definitely is, but the American Idol part.

I love the Taylor Swift's song "Lover"; it's so heavenly, breathy, angelic, romantic and lush! That's the only Taylor Swift song on the radio I have really enjoyed! I definitely don't dislike her and I understand why she is a superstar/so popularl! I think this new album could be great and I'll give it a listen, but I don't like Taylor Swift's music in general.

Ariana Grande is an artist who's last two studio albums I love, and her first three albums and music beforehand was something I never cared for. But Taylor Swift has less of an urban style compared to Ariana Grande. That's just some background info on recent pop artists and my taste on their discography.

@wynn72 you're right Taylor never auditioned for American Idol, I got her confused with Carrie Underwood

@Woob_woob Entitled to these opinions of course, but mind-boggling to me that 1) You can think high violet is good, but NOT trouble will find me, and 2) that they've stuck to their lane for years when their last album was the furthest they've ever deviated from it.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but i had to say it lol

All of their albums are fine, their lane is fine, it's just there are so many more artists doing much more interesting things. Tbh the national wouldnt even cross my mind if it werent for this forum. Who wants to listen to mid level sad indie rock anyway?

Yeah, I like Indie-Folk music but The National really never did much for me at all, and most of their albums blend together for me and if I'm in the mood for that genre I'd always go for a Bright Eyes, Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, etc album first.
I do really like Aaron Dessner's work on this though. Maybe it's Matt Berninger's voice I just don't like

@Woob_woob me! although I haven't listened to a National album since High Violet, so maybe you have a point.

@Woob_woob Also me lmao. Trouble Will Find Me and Boxer are two of the quintessential sad indie rock albums imo.

@wynn72 I wouldn't designate anything The National has done as folk, I'd go into it with different expectations.