The National show last night was much more intense and cathartic than last time I saw them. They had a much higher level of energy and Bryce Dessner's guitar tones were way gnarlier. It was great hearing him let loose a lot more than he does on the records. And I'm very glad I got to enjoy the experience with so many great friends as well as my brother and Dad.
If you haven't checked out their new record, "Trouble Will Find Me", I'd definitely recommend it. It's probably their most subdued record so far, and lyrically their strongest in my opinion. The lyrics are really dark, but at times truly funny. And some pretty cool things going on with time as always. Here's one of my favorites from the album that that Nico Muhly orchestrated, "Don't Swallow the Cap". The National are a band that the more I listen to them, the more I hear and appreciate in their music - it's extremely accesible, emotionally charged, subtly very intricate, and often very meditative - very much looking forward to hearing where these guys go next.
(photo courtesy of Ben Falvey)
