The National

I'm not going to listen to the singles anymore before the album drops, but I did listen to Your Mind Is Not Your Friend twice today. The first time I didn't care for it. The second time (while watching the video), I liked it a lot more. Some of the lyrics didn't hit me much till the second go around, but musically I do think it recalls something from the HV-TWFM era. Phoebe Bridgers is only as a background vocalist also, so I'm curious to see how true that is for the other features on the album. Oh as far as lyrics go, I did see a quote elsewhere that described the song a little bit:

"Speaking of how his depression felt like “a genuine illness”, “being nauseous” and “sadness and fear about everything”, Berninger explained how the support and “faith” of the band, as well as the dedication and love of his wife Carin Besser, helped him through. Besser’s advice, ‘This isn’t you, this isn’t real, this is just your brain right now, your mind is not your friend’ even inspired a lyric and the title of the band’s newest single, featuring Phoebe Bridgers."

That is something that I think will be key to understanding a lot of the songs on the record. Also it feels so eerily similar to my own experience throughout the pandemic (minus having a band to bring me back from it all).
 
Bennnnn said:
I'm not going to listen to the singles anymore before the album drops, but I did listen to Your Mind Is Not Your Friend twice today. The first time I didn't care for it. The second time (while watching the video), I liked it a lot more. Some of the lyrics didn't hit me much till the second go around, but musically I do think it recalls something from the HV-TWFM era. Phoebe Bridgers is only as a background vocalist also, so I'm curious to see how true that is for the other features on the album. Oh as far as lyrics go, I did see a quote elsewhere that described the song a little bit:

"Speaking of how his depression felt like “a genuine illness”, “being nauseous” and “sadness and fear about everything”, Berninger explained how the support and “faith” of the band, as well as the dedication and love of his wife Carin Besser, helped him through. Besser’s advice, ‘This isn’t you, this isn’t real, this is just your brain right now, your mind is not your friend’ even inspired a lyric and the title of the band’s newest single, featuring Phoebe Bridgers."

That is something that I think will be key to understanding a lot of the songs on the record. Also it feels so eerily similar to my own experience throughout the pandemic (minus having a band to bring me back from it all).
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I caved in and listened 🎧 to it once and immediately liked it 😄 but now I'm putting a pause ⏸️ on listening to anything else from the new 🆕 album 😉
 
I respect everyone's individual choice on the matter, but for me it doesn't make much sense to stop listening to songs you've already heard. And especially with National tracks, which are almost always growers. Anyway, I'll be listening to the 4 released songs on heavy rotation until the 28th (and beyond). :)
 
Godardian said:
I respect everyone's individual choice on the matter, but for me it doesn't make much sense to stop listening to songs you've already heard. And especially with National tracks, which are almost always growers. Anyway, I'll be listening to the 4 released songs on heavy rotation until the 28th (and beyond). :)
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I've heard the entire album (with the exception of the T Swift track) so I will not stop listening. Completely agree that many of their songs are growers. I think it took me 4 listens of New Order T-Shirt until it finally clicked. I loved Tropic Morning News the first time I heard it - which was live in an unfinished state last summer. I will however, enjoy that first full listen through on vinyl. Hoping to get one of my variants ahead of release date, but doubt that will happen.

I'm also the kind of person who doesn't care if I know setlists in advance.
 
Godardian said:
I respect everyone's individual choice on the matter, but for me it doesn't make much sense to stop listening to songs you've already heard. And especially with National tracks, which are almost always growers. Anyway, I'll be listening to the 4 released songs on heavy rotation until the 28th (and beyond). :)
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I don’t want to overplay the singles before playing the album as a whole. I like to approach the albums as albums, so to better get in that headspace I want to take a step back. I’ve already heard the first two so many times. It’ll also make the fun of the anticipation for the album’s release more intense for me.
 
Bennnnn said:
I don’t want to overplay the singles before playing the album as a whole. I like to approach the albums as albums, so to better get in that headspace I want to take a step back. I’ve already heard the first two so many times. It’ll also make the fun of the anticipation for the album’s release more intense for me.
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Totally understandable.

My perspective is different. Having heard it all (almost) live, I know what's coming - however, I do not know what the studio versions sound like.
I will say, it's beautiful and great and I love it so much.

I had access to an early copy of IAETF - about a month before release, and listened to it at least 5-10 times every day. That did not affect in the least, my first vinyl spin of the record.

(kind of hoping my industry friend can get me access before release, but, we're getting close now. I'm just an impatient person!)
 
The last two singles they’ve released have been my favorites they’ve released so far. Really close to whether I like “Eucalyptus” or “Your Mind Is Not Your Friend” more. I am Easy To Find wasn’t a bad record by any means, but I feel like what I’ve heard off the new ones is just so much more classic National.
 
I have a friend who has extra singles to the Chicago May 20 show, Sec FBLC-R, Row I, and a GA for the Madison, WI show on Aug 8.

Posting here first in case anyone is looking. She's no longer on FB, so I'm going to put them up in the Nats groups on her behalf.

If anyone here is looking, you'll get first dibs (as long as you can communicate through FB messenger. Face value of course.
 
wmeugene said:
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First Two Pages of Frankenstein Vinyl LP (White) + Flexi Disc - Cherry Tree Exclusive

Title: First Two Pages of FrankensteinFormat: 12" Vinyl (White) + Flexi DiscRelease Date: April 28, 2023 The Cherry Tree member exclusive variant of First Two Pages of Frankenstein includes a Flexidisc single of “Weird Goodbyes (feat. Bon Iver).” Previously released digitally, this will be an...
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Shipping notice. Probably take a week for it to leave Portland I'm afraid.
 
Twentytwo said:
Shipping notice. Probably take a week for it to leave Portland I'm afraid.
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Every time I get a shipping notification, I keep hoping it's one of my pre-orders. Nope, my CT white w/flexi still shows as unfulfilled.

I received an email from Brooklyn Vegan stating that the red indie is back in stock - was about to order it, but something told me to check my orders and yes, I did pre-order it. I'll pick up the black at my store on day of release.
 
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