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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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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WookieCJul 27, 2007It seemed that after Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and Alligator they couldn't get any better. They could.
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RasecAug 14, 2007Thank you for the music!
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JimAug 7, 2007Perfect album start to finish. There is not a weak track on it. I did not think they could out do Alligator but they did bigtime!
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LucasC.Sep 11, 2007Good Lyrics... Good Album.
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WillC.Sep 19, 2007An outstanding album that is equally as good as Alligator. I love 'Squalor Victoria' and 'Apartment Story'. I'm seeing them live in the UK in November for the first time and I can't wait.
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WadeT.Sep 27, 2007
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MCNov 13, 2007Excellent. Honest lyrics, great music. I especially love the drumming, as well as the overall mood of the album.
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BarryP.Nov 18, 2007
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TBoneNov 22, 2007After having this whole album in my playlists for a few months, I have to say, the only song I could really pull is Slow Show. Theres a lot of hooks in all of these. Pretty good.
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NiallSDec 17, 2007The Real album of the year!
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CarlosA.Oct 24, 2007One of the best in the last five years. Fresh, harmonic, deep. As much you listen it as much you will discover and like it. It can take time but in the end you will love these guys. Don´t forget Alligator, another surprise for me after listening Boxer.
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AnonymousMusicWriterApr 28, 2007This album takes a bit more listening to get into then "Alligator," but I'm happy to say that success hasn't spoiled the National. These songs are quieter, yet sonically perhaps more accomplished than their last outing see "Ada," "Green Gloves" and the impossibly great "Slow Show."
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ChrisMay 11, 2007
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MatthewBMay 16, 2007Each song has its own identity yet each so different and all flow together as one. If that makes sense?
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mattaMay 21, 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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JeffSMay 22, 2007This band just keeps getting better every album.. AND every album gets better with every listen. Definitely a top album of the year.
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JohnKMay 23, 2007Just amazing!
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gigisMay 24, 2007Una piacevole scoperta , album che non si stanca mai di ascoltare.
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TheNationalMay 26, 2007awesome full stop
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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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natejMay 27, 2007Immense and beautiful
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WaughMay 31, 2007Xo oX and Ed Leisurewear are both idiots.
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rosenMay 31, 2007album of the year.
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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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georgeb.Jun 27, 2007those guys can sing
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AndyBJun 29, 2007that they haven't been hailed as the greatest band writing today only proves what floats and what doesn't.
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ZacharyMJul 24, 2007
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PhilMJul 28, 2007This is a stunner. I agree wholehearetdly with "The Onion" review above. At first glance, this seems dullsville. But this album gets right uner your skin with a constant stream of gorgeous, subtle, warming melodies that is not currently letting anything else near the headphones. Album of the year!
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THATMUSICGUYAug 16, 2007
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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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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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JustinB.Sep 21, 2007Not as good as alligator, but, what is? this is a very good album.
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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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BobD.Apr 13, 2008mad mad good. after being introduced by "mistaken for strangers," i used to think they're were too many slow songs on here. but now i relish this album for its somber mood. a slow grower, but highly recommended.
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JonB.Jun 23, 2008Yes, I like this album even more than Radiohead's Rainbows. Best album of the year.
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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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JoeDoeDec 14, 2007It's an absolutely great album! I've heard them for the first time on got radio just a couple of hours before. And yes, I already have the album.
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Mar 9, 2016As always and expected from The National, a really amazing and outstanding album. I'd definitely recommend it to all fans of the band or everyone who liked the other albums as well. If you're new to The National, buy it. Now.
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.