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100

NOW Magazine

Though the songs here are so much crisper and more exciting, they don't sacrifice the easygoing looseness of Apostle's Folkloric Feel debut.

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Prefix Magazine

An album that is warm and inviting without being overpowering and rich and varied enough to warrant repeated listening.

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Filter

These touches of color set this album above its pasty-skinned, post-rock cronies and prove National Anthem of Nowhere an apt title. [#24, p.92]

Magnet

[It] sounds like the album Whiteman has been waiting to make his whole life. [#75, p.99]

PopMatters

Compared with Folkloric Feel there’s more pop and accessibility here.

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Spin

Whiteman recombines mambo, Americana, and mesmerizing BSS-style rock with infectiously rambling results. [Mar 2007, p.88]

The New York Times

A dozen tracks of modest but clear ambition. [12 Mar 2007]

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Pitchfork

Where Folkloric Feel opted for cobwebby murk, National Anthem of Nowhere dovetails in bright, tidy corners. It's at once straight-laced and funky in the way that only indie rock can be.

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Under The Radar

A decent—but not quite perfect—pop album. [#17, p.90]

All Music Guide

Unfortunately, the times the band steps into more lighthearted -- at least musically -- territory are not nearly as successful.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

National Anthem Of Nowhere is intermittently compelling, but it's more often disjointed and unduly harsh.

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Stylus Magazine

National Anthem, is monochrome and even somewhat sterile, characteristics often overcome by Whiteman’s increasingly excellent craftsmanship.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

I think a big part of the problem is the singing. The lyrics are alternately cloying and curious, and they’re sung in a pretty and formal manner.

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Austin Chronicle

Apostle of Hustle loses focus halfway through.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Natasha E gave it a7:
Some great beats and interesting instrumentation, but overall few songs have either teeth or heart.

jay m gave it a9:
8.5, definately stronger than BSS's last album. Great album, alot better overall than their debut which was a bit out there and slow (with a few really really good songs). Arts and Crafts for the most part can't miss.

quixotic gave it a7:
Richer and wilder than his first album, still a little too repetitive as you reach the end of the experience. Some of the songs create very cinematic atmospheres, like a weird and hypnotic roadmovie soundtrack.

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