fightoffyour

Do you like Matt Berninger? I've been a big The National fan ever since the release of their 2005 album, Alligator. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Alligator where Matt Berninger’s presence became more apparent. I think Boxer was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of the Dessners, Berninger and the Devendorfs. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Fake Empire. In this song, Matt Berninger addresses the problems of abusive political authority. Slow Show is the most moving pop song of the 2000s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Matt Berninger’s solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like Loved So Little and Oh Drearie. But I also think Matt Berninger works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Return To The Moon, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

Their festival sets, although disappointing that you don't get the full show, are usually condensed stormers. Gutted I'll be missing this.

You're not supposed to love it at first 😄 but the more you put it, the more you get out!

First Two Pages Of Laugh Track (preserving the track number and choosing one or t'other): Once Upon A Poolside (feat. Sufjan Stevens) Deep End (Paul’s in Pieces) New Order T-Shirt Turn Off the House Tropic Morning News Laugh Track Space Invader Grease In Your Hair Coat on a Hook Tour Manager Send For Me Smoke Detector

Brand New supported Incubus way back as well, saw them at the NEC, great gig.

We can't lose any of them! Better off losing Paramore and adding one more to each act.

new Bleachers is a banger

Wow, the vault songs on 1989 (after an already stunning album) are up there with her best work. Is It Over Now? one of her greatest songs of all.

You can't be number 1 without serving battered chips! But at least my feelings were correct

I thought Knight's Fish & Chips was great, curry sauce by the bucket load and they have a small garden area out back. But then I'm starved of such culinary delights outside the UK, so my standards may have dropped.

Yeah that's just me hoping for a 2-night show. But that would require the Friday selling out first.

The National again or someone else in for a 6th July show then. Death Cab / Postal Service?

I used the hack in 2013 and if I'd known about the hack this year I would've used it as well, especially after about half an hour of nothing - heck I'm mainly on here during that time for exactly things like that. As it was I didn't get tickets, probably won't be trying in the resale. Now the hack shouldn't be possible at all, but if it is I'm disappointed that I didn't know about it not that others used it.

Also anecdotally one of our groups got in straight away and hasn't got any more yet, so yeah...anecdotal evidence only