Alligator
by The National
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 152 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 138 out of 152
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 152
  3. Negative: 9 out of 152

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  1. notverygood
    Oct 21, 2017
    10
    The National's masterpiece. The National are well known for being a consistent band — all of their post-Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers albums are brilliant, with lots of good songs on them. While some would argue that Boxer is their best album, for me, Alligator represents everything The National have strived to achieve.

    For a band who are often criticised for being very samey — both    The National's masterpiece. The National are well known for being a consistent band — all of their post-Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers albums are brilliant, with lots of good songs on them. While some would argue that Boxer is their best album, for me, Alligator represents everything The National have strived to achieve.

    For a band who are often criticised for being very samey — both sonically and thematically — Alligator is surprisingly diverse. Want an aggressive, powerful, yet deliberately non-partisan political anthem? Listen to Mr. November. You're more of a fan of the archetypical National song — a slow, moving love ballad? You've got Secret Meeting, City Middle or Val Jester. The album also touches upon then-uncharted territory for The National: Friend of Mine recounts the story of fleeting friendship, Abel explosively retells a Bible story and The National sing of their love of their adopted home — New York — in The Geese of Beverly Road and Daughters of the Soho Riots.

    I've given this album a 10; every song is good, the album has had — and will likely continue to have — a profound effect on me.    … Expand
  2. Ricko
    Jun 12, 2017
    10
    "Abel", "Lit Up", "Secret Meeting", "Mr November"....I could go through the whole record really. Every track on here is a National classic. Their breakthrough record and their best work (to date) in my humble opinion. The rhythm section dueling with the guitars is something else with the record produced to perfection. Without doubt one of the records of the 00's. The moods of the songs"Abel", "Lit Up", "Secret Meeting", "Mr November"....I could go through the whole record really. Every track on here is a National classic. Their breakthrough record and their best work (to date) in my humble opinion. The rhythm section dueling with the guitars is something else with the record produced to perfection. Without doubt one of the records of the 00's. The moods of the songs swerve between a New York night out and the hangover that follows. If you've not yet delved into The National, make this your introduction. Give this a few listens and you'll be hooked on them. I remember hearing Mr November played live in The Olympia in Dublin around 2010 or thereabouts and it was mind blowing.… Expand
  3. luneth12
    May 8, 2016
    10
    Emotional perfection! More polished than the first two albums, but not the emotionless mechanical "perfection" of Boxer and TWFM. Beautiful abstract lyrics and dark sound. Geese of Beverly Road is masterpiece, and they killed the font and album cover design.
  4. hailtothevictor
    May 23, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. How I adore Rolling Stone's failed reviews.. easily one of the decade's defining albums. The record that got us all into Matt Berninger. How can any album have the nerve to begin and end with songs that will forever be in your top 50? Great, Great LP.… Expand
  5. DanDanReviews
    Sep 21, 2014
    10
    The comparisons of this album to it's follow-up, Boxer, are pointless. Where Boxer is a slow-burner, Alligator is bombastic. Where Boxer is more subtle, Alligator is a rocker from brilliant opener to the last yells of "I won't **** us over!" on the closing track Mr. November. The highlight of the album has to be the beautiful, sprawling Geese of Beverly Road. The lyrics "Come be myThe comparisons of this album to it's follow-up, Boxer, are pointless. Where Boxer is a slow-burner, Alligator is bombastic. Where Boxer is more subtle, Alligator is a rocker from brilliant opener to the last yells of "I won't **** us over!" on the closing track Mr. November. The highlight of the album has to be the beautiful, sprawling Geese of Beverly Road. The lyrics "Come be my waitress and serve me tonight/serve me the sky tonight./Oh come, come be my waitress and serve me tonight,/Serve me the sky with a big slice of lemon." Only the National could make being a waitress seem so romantic.… Expand
  6. MBond1810
    Apr 12, 2013
    6
    A step backwards from 'Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers': arrangements and melodies are worse than on the previous album.
  7. JonnyR.
    Jul 13, 2008
    9
    The National decided to leave three of their best songs off Alligator: 'Warm Singing Whores', 'The Thrilling of Claire', and the exceptional 'Driver, Surprise Me' were all scrapped. However,
  8. DavidR.
    Mar 29, 2008
    10
    A lot appears to have been made about this guys lyrics, with one review dedicated entirely to ripping them for being cold and dispassionate. Talk to any creative person and they will tell you art normally flows from sadness and misery. These songs are not uplifting nor are they meant to be. The album is great because it's a perfect expression of someone who admits to his patchy A lot appears to have been made about this guys lyrics, with one review dedicated entirely to ripping them for being cold and dispassionate. Talk to any creative person and they will tell you art normally flows from sadness and misery. These songs are not uplifting nor are they meant to be. The album is great because it's a perfect expression of someone who admits to his patchy failures, marginal successes, and ultimately the women whom he has used to get through life. Most of the songs sound like they are written on a hungover a few days after breaking up his girlfriend. The songs are deceptively straightforward and beautifully layered, and his lyrics are thought provoking and emotionally delivered. This album truly deserves a 10 and is their best.… Expand
  9. SteveC
    Mar 13, 2008
    10
    Simple - One of the best albums of all time.
  10. MarkM.
    Jan 5, 2008
    10
    Best album of 2007 (and 2005). Found out about this album through reviews of "The Boxer" (a great album in its own right) and cannot stop listening. Reminiscent of Interpol's first album with more obtuse lyrics and slightly less gloom. Along with Spoon, one of the few rock bands making great R&R music.
  11. SeanO.
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    I listen to an awful lot of music and this is one of the most wonderful albums I've come across in a long long time. Wonderful subtle and quirky lyrics, great voice and excellent music. "Just say something perfect, something I can steal Say, look at me Baby, we'll be fine All we've gotta do is be brave and be kind".
  12. Kyle
    Jun 13, 2007
    9
    All the National do is make great albums.
  13. Frank
    May 21, 2007
    4
    very overrated and boring. Nothing really amazing here, it just isn't memorable.
  14. JoshuaK
    May 21, 2007
    10
    One of the very best albums in recent memory. The sometimes absurd lyrics add character and a touch of humour to the consistently great songs.
  15. ErikV
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    Having wriiten this review on 2nd March 2007, I do not think many people will take this in account. Not many pople are interested in an album nearly 2 years old. Well, they are utterly wrong. I have bought this album when it came out (some 2 years ago). Since day one, I knew this one was a masterpiece! 2 years on, I am not changing my view one bit. I was, am and will be overwhelmed for Having wriiten this review on 2nd March 2007, I do not think many people will take this in account. Not many pople are interested in an album nearly 2 years old. Well, they are utterly wrong. I have bought this album when it came out (some 2 years ago). Since day one, I knew this one was a masterpiece! 2 years on, I am not changing my view one bit. I was, am and will be overwhelmed for the rest of my life. As a 40-year-old, most of my favourite albums go back to the time when I was young, handsome, smart and funny (I used to be in the arms of cheerleaders). Well this album stands firm next to the most compelling music i took with me over the years. This is a brilliant albums!… Expand
  16. AndrewW
    Jan 10, 2007
    10
    The best album of 2005. Berninger's affecting croon sweeps you along, and the only failings here are the sequencing of the tracks (too many slow-burners from track 4 to track 9), and the slightly dull Val Jester. But with songs such as All the Wine, Lit Up, Mr. November and The Geese of Beverly Road, this album is as good as ANYTHING I own.
  17. PatrickF
    Sep 5, 2006
    10
    I can't believe how good this album is. I mean seriously. I had heard "All the Wine" and thought it was a great song, but never had a thought of buying the album. I figured they were a one-hit-wonder. Wow, could I have been more wrong? There is not a weak track on this album. Not one. Do yourself a favor and get this album. Like others have mentioned, give two or three listens and I can't believe how good this album is. I mean seriously. I had heard "All the Wine" and thought it was a great song, but never had a thought of buying the album. I figured they were a one-hit-wonder. Wow, could I have been more wrong? There is not a weak track on this album. Not one. Do yourself a favor and get this album. Like others have mentioned, give two or three listens and then be amazed.… Expand
  18. JakeW
    Aug 1, 2006
    10
    I'm about as picky as they come as far as music, but I can't really find much wrong with this album. I'm really curious what those who rated this a 6 or a 7 think is a great album. I read some of those user comments and I still have no idea what exactly is deficient about the lyrics quoted.
  19. TomM
    May 22, 2006
    10
    This was one of my favorite albums of the last year, and I give it a very strong recommendation. Listen to this a few times, and you'll be utterly captivated.
  20. ScottW
    May 22, 2006
    6
    I've got the same complaint as everyone else. This album is a beautiful dream that is once in a while interrupted by lines like "I have weird memories of you pissing in a sink, I think."
  21. MorganG
    May 10, 2006
    7
    Great instrumentals and melody, but I can't give it anything more than a 7. Ultimately, no matter how good the melody is, the downfall of the band are the shallow and stupid lyrics. Ex:"I wish that I believed in fate, I wish I didn't stay up too late", "We'll fight like girls for our place at the table", "Why did you listen to that man? That man's a balloon", "I'm Great instrumentals and melody, but I can't give it anything more than a 7. Ultimately, no matter how good the melody is, the downfall of the band are the shallow and stupid lyrics. Ex:"I wish that I believed in fate, I wish I didn't stay up too late", "We'll fight like girls for our place at the table", "Why did you listen to that man? That man's a balloon", "I'm a perfect piece of ass like every Californian", "One day when she goes, she's gone", etc... The band should try using a thesaurus for their next album.… Expand
  22. ElizabethP
    Mar 21, 2006
    7
    This is a good album but by no means is it great. Some of the songs have dense lyrics and some tracks don't have any direction. There are points where the music begins to build up but then just plateaus out, never reaching the climax. Despite all this, there are some beautiful songs, my favorite being "the Geese of Beverly Road."
  23. Gregg
    Feb 26, 2006
    9
    Excellent album, one of the best releases in the past few years. I will agree with Popmatters 2nd review...it slowly dawns on you, and when it does, you will love it forever. 'All the Wine' and 'Geese' are certainly masterpieces.
  24. matta
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    Not that it really matters, but if it weren't for the Popmatters review, this album would've have most likely been on the Metacritic top thirty albums of 2005, as it surely deserved to be considering all of the top ten lists it has appeared on. Truly amazing album filled with gorgeous melodies and haunting arrangements. One of five near-perfect albums of 2005 along with Wolf Not that it really matters, but if it weren't for the Popmatters review, this album would've have most likely been on the Metacritic top thirty albums of 2005, as it surely deserved to be considering all of the top ten lists it has appeared on. Truly amazing album filled with gorgeous melodies and haunting arrangements. One of five near-perfect albums of 2005 along with Wolf Parade, Okkervil River, Sufjan Stevens, and Bloc Party.… Expand
  25. Mark
    Jan 4, 2006
    9
    layered melodies and counter-harmonies help translate some poignant lyrics as demonstrated perfectly in the masterpiece The Geese of Beverly Road.
  26. SergioP
    Jan 2, 2006
    10
    The best album of 2005 plenty full of beatiful melodies...
  27. DanD
    Dec 28, 2005
    7
    Four incredible songs (Abel, Lit Up, Mr November and All The Wine) which are among the best anyone has recorded this century; you can live without the rest.
  28. JaneP
    Nov 28, 2005
    10
    Astonishingly accomplished and soulful.
  29. WillA
    Nov 27, 2005
    10
    Ive listened to this probobly more than 100 times, and i still love it more than the first time.
  30. PhilippeD
    Oct 29, 2005
    10
    Been listening since its release and have never felt bored a second. Best band right now on record and live
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Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best Album of 2005
72
#72 Most Discussed Album of 2005
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. PopMatters
    May 2, 2012
    45
    REVIEW#1: Over 13 doing-nothing tracks, Matt Berninger bumbles out useless lyrics that he doesn't have the guts to put across. (Score=20); REVIEW#2: Alligator is one of those albums that slowly dawns on you. Given half a chance, it's ultimately a very rewarding listening experience that I predict will continue to grow in stature as time passes. (Score=70)
  2. Billboard
    100
    "Alligator" is easily the National's best effort and quite possibly one of this year's finest records.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    80
    [A] fine collection of city-weary poetry.
    Read full review
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