The National frontman Matt Berninger is soon to release a solo album, Get Sunk. Now I have nothing against The National (who are still going, by the way, it's not like Matt's solo album is post-breakup), but nor am I a fan particularly. I certainly don't own any records by them and, truth be told, I am unlikely to race out and buy Berninger's new effort. Having said all that, I did hear lead-out single Bonnet of Pins on the radio at the weekend, and rather liked it. And now, having sought out the video, find that it has some interesting lyrics.
All in all, it might be a grower or it might be one of those songs that sneakily grabs your attention with a turn of phrase before it gradually becomes apparent that it's actually a bit ordinary musically and the attraction wears off. We shall see.
What do you think?
I quite like the National without ever getting that excited about them- I have 1, maybe 2, of their albums on cd, each of which has a couple of really good songs on them. But I also know people who swear by them. This song sounds good- not sure I want a whole album of it but there's enough going on to listen to it want some more.
ReplyDeleteExactly. It does enough to be interesting, I think.
DeleteAs Adam said
ReplyDeleteI wonder if The National is one of those bands where the only album you really need is a really good compilation? Or is that doing them a disservice?
Delete"...one of those songs that sneakily grabs your attention with a turn of phrase before it gradually becomes apparent that it's actually a bit ordinary musically and the attraction wears off."
ReplyDeleteSadly, that's about a third of my record collection.
Mine too, Rol, mine too.
DeleteFor those of you who think all you need is a really good compilation.
ReplyDeletehttps://thenewvinylvillain.com/2016/11/18/an-imaginary-compilation-album-95-the-national/
or
https://thenewvinylvillain.com/2020/03/10/an-imaginary-compilation-album-xxx-the-national-2/
Quite liking the solo effort on offer.....certainly better than almost all the tunes on his last solo album which was a bit on the dull side.
Cheers JC. ICAs to the rescue!
Delete