User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 348 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 313 out of 348
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Mixed: 14 out of 348
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Negative: 21 out of 348
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- Most helpful
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mattbJun 24, 2007i realized that i was in love with my girlfriend while listening to this album
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MattE.Jun 27, 2007Lucky, what the f@## are you talking about? Berninger doesn't sound remotely like he's trying to sound like Bob Dylan. Have you ever heard Bob Dylan? Dylan is nasally. Berninger has a deep voice. You could say it's trite and total crap, but the Dylan slam doesn't compute.
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BillSAug 29, 2007Very, very nice work. Great melodies, and lyrics. Vocals remind me a bit of John Cale. Not meaning to dismiss all the other strengths, but the thing I like the most about the album is the drum work. The only thing holding the album up a bit is the production.
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JohnD.Mar 13, 2008Its a thing of beauty, a gorgeous sonnet in a storm of denial, a feeling, a mood beyond the crowd.
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JonnyR.Jul 13, 2008It seems as though the National intentionally leave off some of their best material from their albums.
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Jul 3, 2011just amazing. best album of them.
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Dec 6, 2017
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Dec 12, 2019
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ArthurDJun 1, 2007
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ElliOct 9, 2007I had such high expectations for this album. This is a good album but nowhere as magnificent as its predecessor, "Alligator." This album takes a while to appreciate and it has a slower pace than "Alligator." My favorite songs are "Fake Empire" and "Slow Show."
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MarkMay 27, 2007Good album...
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JackpotMay 16, 2008This is a workmanlike performance by The National. There isn't anything here that blows my mind, but the majestic closer, "Gospel," comes close; it's like a darker version of "Boy with the Arab Strap"-era Belle & Sebastian.
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AndrewTJun 29, 2007A very good album after 10 listens. After the first two spins I would have given it a 2, one for the piano and another for the drums. Around 8 or 9 spins it suddenly moved to a 7 and by the 10th listen is rose to an 8. You have to move to a different dimension to appreciate the album. I can see why some people think it is utter $£"? since this is what i originally thought.
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cwbJul 24, 2007
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gigisMay 24, 2007Una piacevole scoperta , album che non si stanca mai di ascoltare.
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JustinB.Sep 21, 2007Not as good as alligator, but, what is? this is a very good album.
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Mar 10, 2013
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Apr 12, 2013Far better than its predecessor in terms of arrangements: these songs are truly flawless.
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BrissaROct 9, 2007Alligator was more upbeat and there was a greater variety of songs/tempos. Boxer is more contemplated and the songs drift into each other, i.e., it's more monotonous. If you are a fan of the National than you should buy Boxer but don't get your hopes up too high.
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kevkJun 6, 2007boring
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trestMay 7, 2007alot more mellow than the last album. every songs sounds like it takes place at night somehow. enjoyable to listen to, but i think it needed more upbeat and slightly more mid-up tempo songs like mr november or lit up. none of the slower songs hit me like "secret meeting" or "slipping husband." this music makes me want to fall asleep in a good way.
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WadeT.Sep 27, 2007
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AaronSMay 22, 2007A slow burner of an album. Perhaps a bit overrated, but quite pleasant. Much better than 'Alligator'. May not be one of the best records of the year, but worth a listen or two.
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GillGMay 23, 2007Nothing great, but some decent tracks to to check out. The lead singer has a very strong, confident voice but other than that there's nothing that really blows me away, it's just alright. I recommend other better NY bands like Interpol and TV on the Radio who are amazing. Anyway, a 6 from me.
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CharlieP.Jul 22, 2007This album has to be the most overrated album of the year. It's boring. boring and more boring. monotony is not music people.
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booms.Oct 18, 2007i was blown away initially by this release - on subsequent listens i find myself getting more uninterested and bored of this album. Some great songs dispersed amongst filler
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Busted...May 23, 2007No matter how well produced, this record lacks originality. All the sounds combine to produce a band that has nothing to offer.
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BrianA.Jul 14, 2007Just not as intense as the previous release
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RocoMay 23, 2007Average, nothing spectacular. Doesn't deserve such a high rating on this website.
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ShaunBJun 12, 2007Some decent songs here and there but none of them are really great, not memorable. I still don't know how this has an 85 on metacritic, considering there's been better albums that have come out in 07 that deserve that kind of grade (Of Montreal, Feist, Field Music, Andrew Bird, to name a few).
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LuckyJun 12, 2007Not my kind of album, I find it very boring. The lead singer is trying way to hard to sound like Bob Dylan and he's not good enough to sing like him.
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toddwMay 24, 2007
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DylanSMay 27, 2007'Meh', defines my feeling for this CD, another disc by The National that's poorly crafted and overrated. It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it sure doesnt promote cheery memories.
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ChrisKSep 11, 2007Their previous album: Alligator was the band's pinnacle. I found the album quite monotonous. Definitely over-rated, and a step back if you know their earlier work.
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CalvinD.Jun 4, 2008
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TrekDMay 23, 2007A huge crushing dissapointment after the amazing "Alligator" LP.
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DamienDMay 23, 2007Not my cup of tea. There aren't really any memorable songs. Too bad cause I really wanted to like this album.
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XooXMay 22, 2007This band, and album, sucks.
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BlakeMay 23, 2007Very overated.
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marcopoloJun 14, 2007a piece of s##t ...
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EpicJul 26, 2007A lackluster effort especially after there last two albums. A huge borefest throughout.
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EpicJul 26, 2007A lackluster effort especially after there last two albums. A huge borefest throughout.
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Awards & Rankings
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The National hews too closely to established formula on "Boxer," content to revisit previously explored territory without expanding its sound.
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Here, most gestures remain a bit too consciously panoramic—elegant enough for comfort but often not chancy enough to be breathtaking.
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A patchy, flawed effort.