2008 Woodie Awards
"Boxer" Music Review
By Jake Rezac
9/10/07 - Features
The National, formed formed by a group of friends from Cincinnati in 1999, have released three albums, featuring morose lyrics and soft, subtle melodies. Their most recently released album, Boxer, is no different, providing a melodious landscape which incorporates both Indie-rock guitar riffs and near-Baroque string sections, which are common in the latter half of the album.
The driving force of Boxer is the deep baritone of lead singer Matt Berninger, coupled with a forceful rhythm ruminating from the drum set. Berninger's lyrics tend to be initially obtuse but turn poignantly poetic - even dark and looming at points - over time, tying in perfectly with the mellow feel of the songs.
The National, which garnered slight attention with its 2005 release Alligator, has created in Boxer an ambient description of the loneliness prescribed by an empty street corner in a major metropolis. However, the juxtaposition of placid guitar riffs and the almost violent drumming creates enough tension to prevent the album from simply being background noise.
Boxer provides a gripping take on a subtle sound - ominous dread looms in the lyrics, while mellifluous melodies soar high above and create an album which is certainly worth considering.
The driving force of Boxer is the deep baritone of lead singer Matt Berninger, coupled with a forceful rhythm ruminating from the drum set. Berninger's lyrics tend to be initially obtuse but turn poignantly poetic - even dark and looming at points - over time, tying in perfectly with the mellow feel of the songs.
The National, which garnered slight attention with its 2005 release Alligator, has created in Boxer an ambient description of the loneliness prescribed by an empty street corner in a major metropolis. However, the juxtaposition of placid guitar riffs and the almost violent drumming creates enough tension to prevent the album from simply being background noise.
Boxer provides a gripping take on a subtle sound - ominous dread looms in the lyrics, while mellifluous melodies soar high above and create an album which is certainly worth considering.
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