The National - Slick Show But....
Posted by: Ron Brinsdon on 25 November 2010
Saw the above at Warwick last night and they turned in a great performance and set list but the real surprise for me was support act Phosphorescent. Having heard of them last year being touted as the new "Dead" I bought the "Takin it easy" CD some time ago and, although it has it's attractions it did not blow me away. Hearing many of the tracks in concert though has made me want to dig it out again and give it another run through. I was also surprised to see it finish in Mojo's albums of the year list.
Not sure what UK gigs are left but if you have the chance of tickets get them because it is unusual these days to have a support that can challenge the headliners. A high scoring draw from this judge.
Have a good one
Ron
Posted on: 25 November 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
I bought the Phosphorescent album this week and just listened for the first time last night. Struck me as quite like Richmond Fontaine-which is not a bad thing at all. I note Rough Trade made it No 5 in their albums of the year too.
High Violet is one of my disappointments of the year. Good but not great, I thought it might grow on me but it never did.
Bruce
Posted on: 27 November 2010 by Diccus62
Yeah High Violet is ok but nothing special. I loved them live though. Will have a listen to Phosphorescent
Posted on: 27 November 2010 by King Size
The Phosphorescent album and the the Deer Tick albums are probably my two favourite/most listened to albums released this year.
High Violet is OK but not a patch on Alligator or even Boxer. The National are playing in Auckland in January and i'm going - i wish Phosphorescent were the support act, but somehow i doubt it.
Posted on: 27 November 2010 by Andy B
quote:
Originally posted by King Size:
The Phosphorescent album and the the Deer Tick albums are probably my two favourite/most listened to albums released this year.
High Violet is OK but not a patch on Alligator or even Boxer. The National are playing in Auckland in January and i'm going - i wish Phosphorescent were the support act, but somehow i doubt it.
Jeez. I hope you're right. I've only just discovered The National and High violet hasn't stopped playing. Tracks 5 & 6 make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. If they can better that album I'd be gobsmacked as I haven't heard anything better for many years. Just brilliant, utterly beautiful music.
I'm ordering those others Immediately. Anything similar you'd care to recommend would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Andy.
Posted on: 27 November 2010 by King Size
Hi Andy,
Hope you like them. Sometimes I think that, if you've discovered a band on their latest album, it's difficult to 'get' why long-time fans say earlier albums are better. Production values and tastes etc. change over time. So it's quite possible that for fans who've heard The National for the first time on 'High Violet', may not be as enamoured with earlier works as older fans are.
Anyway, I hope you like them. If you do you could always check out 'Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers' next - which was the first National album that I bought back in 2004 I think...
Cheers
Chris
Posted on: 28 November 2010 by Diccus62
Yeah maybe the Nash have peaked too soon. They should have been promoted better in the early days. Earlier songs such as 'American Mary' are simply peerless IMO
Agree with Bruce there are wonderful similarities with Phos and Richmond Fontaine. Also at times sound like Gram Parsons but thats maybe a lazy comparison. Thanks for the heads up Ron
Posted on: 28 November 2010 by fathings cat
quote:
Jeez. I hope you're right. I've only just discovered The National and High violet hasn't stopped playing. Tracks 5 & 6 make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. If they can better that album I'd be gobsmacked as I haven't heard anything better for many years. Just brilliant, utterly beautiful music.
I'm ordering those others Immediately. Anything similar you'd care to recommend would be much appreciated.
Have you tried Bill Callahan or Smog - very good if you like that kind of Americana sound.
Also you won't go far wrong listening to Bob Harris Saturday midnight show. It's on the "listen again" feature so you don't have to stay up late!
Enjoy
Gary
Posted on: 28 November 2010 by Andy B
Thanks all. Haven't heard any of those so I'll check them out.
Posted on: 28 November 2010 by King Size
quote:
Originally posted by Diccus62:
Agree with Bruce there are wonderful similarities with Phos and Richmond Fontaine. Also at times sound like Gram Parsons but thats maybe a lazy comparison. Thanks for the heads up Ron
Interesting comparison...
I love Richmond Fontaine - along with The Drive-By Truckers, The National, My Morning Jacket, Marah, Calexico and The Hold Steady - they are the top bands for me of the last ten years or so, but I don't see the Phosporescent / Richmond Fontaine similarities.
To me Richmond Fontaine are very much of desert country sound that typifies acts from Nevada and Arizona - whereas Phosphorescent, on the latest album at least, seem to have mroe in common with the Californian / West Coast sound.
Either way they're both great
Posted on: 28 November 2010 by Ron Brinsdon
King Size - you have just mentioned "The Desert Sound" including Calexico so we are only one step away from the great Howe Gelb and Giant Sand. Twenty five years down the line and with the current reissue program in full swing it is time GS got the recognition they (he) deserves. The current double pack of the new album "Blurry Blue Mountain" and the 25 year old "Valley of Rain" is an excellent starting point.
As Mr Gelb seems to enjoy his low profile style of career, maybe a support slot on a Phosphorescent tour next year could be a winner.
C'mon record companies, you read it on the Naim Forum!
Ron
Posted on: 29 November 2010 by King Size
quote:
Originally posted by Ron Brinsdon:
...so we are only one step away from the great Howe Gelb and Giant Sand. Twenty five years down the line and with the current reissue program in full swing it is time GS got the recognition they (he) deserves...
Agreed
