- Disappointed
2
By Angry LLama
The National are one of my favorite bands of all time. One of the main reasons is the unique, haunting, deep vocals of Matt Berninger. So I was quite disappointed to find out he was barely singing lead on this album.
Look the arrangements, lyrics, melodies are all vintage National and the female vocalists are very talented....but if I wanted to listen to them I would’ve bought their albums.
I appreciate bands trying something new - maybe on one or two tracks - but this was a bit much.
Hopefully the next album will get back to why I (and I’d assume most National fans) listen to them. I’ll definitely be sampling first before I buy it.
My favorite track is “Light Years” I bet you could figure out why.
- Still The National
4
By Cal _12
Don’t let the negative reviews distract you if you are a fan of this band’s work. Yes, it is not the traditional National sound, but a great effort and much wonderful music here to explore.
- New and amazing
5
By Mafu117
It’s not alligator but ‘I am easy to find’ is an experiment gone amazingly right. The introduction of female voices changes the original tone of the national.
Definitely in my top 4 national albums.
P.s. there is a movie that accompanies this album it definitely gives meaning to weird songs like ‘dust swirls in strange light’ and ‘her father in the pool’
- Ignore the luddites
5
By chloeg
So many people who leave negative reviews want their favorite bands to keep releasing the same ol' same old. I liked the National in the beginning and I still like the National today. They evolve. They change. This album is a perfect example of why this band is so good. It's built on top of the roots of who they are and have always been. Stop comparing what they ARE to what they WERE. This is a good album. I like it more each time I listen to it. And I'll take that any day versus the same ol' same ol.
- Songs hijacked by guest singers
2
By Whenry8
Been a fan of the national since 2007 and look forward to each album. Unfortunately this album misses the mark in my opinion, again. The female voices on these tracks detracts from Matt's awesome vocals. Apparently Im in the minority by giving this album 2 stars, but the national's last 2 albums have been disappointing. "trouble will find me" (2013) was the last album worthy of the national brand. Hopefully the national's next album will rocoup the essence of the band found in earlier records. "Rylan" is a good track though
- Yeah. This album isn’t very good...
2
By t0rt4r3d
Not the best The National album by a long shot.
- Trying something new...
4
By -{VIII}-
After about 4 months with this album, I have to admit at first I was very disappointed, but the songs eventually grew on me. It sill feels a little over produced, and I was use to the version of Rylan played live about 6-7 years ago. And I still think it's the best version. The new female vocals on this album feel unnecessary, but I can see that the band are trying something new and want to evolve. I'll try to evolve too, because The National are still my favorite band. Light Years is probably the best song on their album and sounds like classical National. It's worth the purchase just for that!
- The National rewards fans by pushing boundaries
5
By Samalanigids
The reviews here tell you more about the fans than the band. The critical, “this isn’t the National,” “what’s with the duets,” reviews weren’t written by true fans. If you truly love an artist part of that relationship has to be following where they lead — cause it’s their craft. I’ve followed these guys for 14 years and feel privileged to be along for the ride wherever their muses take them. ❤️
- TRAGICALLY DISAPPOINTING
1
By MrRi
If their goal was to create monotonous, pretentious, self-indulgence, then The National have hit it out of the park with this album. The tragic result of a brilliant, breakthrough band now high on their own supply. The trouble isn’t the extensive inclusion of guest artists or even the relative “disappearance of Matt” as some claim...it’s the complete absence of decent melodies and the band’s usually irresistible “hooks” (both lyrical and musical). The result is a rambling, repetitive blend of emo electronica and muted rock where being trendily experimental seems to have guided their entire creative process. So ironically, The National that we have grown to know and love are no longer Easy To Find at all.
- Bobcatbird
5
By bobcatbird
No one stays the same. We all change. This new album is no less than that. And what a positive evolution with new perfectly matched vocal sound on top of the traditional alternative rhythm of the old. Congrats The National on the surprising and positive sounds and lyrics and your growth. You want old then listen to the past and excellent music you have shared with us. This new will undoubtedly appeal to more and those who look forward to the gifts you possess to further see the new ground you explore. Good job!
