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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AlekseyIJun 6, 2007Simply the best
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feriatusMay 23, 2007Riveting.
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LSJun 30, 2007Superb Album. A bit calmer than Alligator, with the tracks more like the calmer Daughters of the Soho riots etc. An absolute must.
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GuyHJun 8, 2007This album is simply superb. 'Alligator' was good but this sounds like a perfectly formed album. By far the best album I have heard this year - The National should now be considered as members of that elite group of truly special bands.
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PhilipB.Jul 10, 2007Excellent album. Get's better with each listen and hasn't gotten old yet.
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DanJul 11, 2007I just got this album, and it has literally blew me away - right from the first listen. Outstanding!
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PerGMay 22, 2007A grower for sure. Keep listening to this album and you'll keep it close for life.
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PraCMay 24, 2007This album has set the bar for all releases in 2007. Not only is it the best album of this year, it's one of the best this decade. A brilliant work from one of the best and undoubtedly the most underrated band in the world.
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nathalieMay 29, 2007this is the most beautiful album i have heard all year.
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SharonCMay 30, 2007This album is absolutely amazing - one of the best I've ever heard.
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KostasGMay 5, 2007If you like Nick Cave, then you will love this album.
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andrewJun 17, 2007
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RobertGJun 22, 2007Definitely in my top 3 albums of 2007. I'm not sure I like it as much as Alligator, but Boxer gets better with every listen. Great album.
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BrunoJJun 5, 2007This album is absolutely SUPERB...
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TylerMJun 6, 2007Begs to be listened to repeatedly.
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JimK.Jul 14, 2007Perfect album, not one weakness. This is the band to like right now imo, forget the Shins.
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JamieS.Jul 3, 2007Excellent album, such a progression from the stuff before, perhaps a little more subtle than previously, but definatly the quality is there. A wonderful listening experience!
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MuzAug 14, 2007I agree totally with what Raindog 1972 said. Midlake's latest was the last album which floored me, now Boxer has done it too. Awesome album.
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ChrisPAug 5, 2007Best album of the year and in the top 10 of the decade. Buy it immediately.
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LinusG.Nov 20, 2007"We expected something, something better than before, we expected something more" is not something you can say about this album. Perfect. Best sing-a-long of the year.
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AndyMay 19, 2007This album is amazing. This is definitely one of the best bands going right now.
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JLOMay 21, 2007I have been listening to this album obsessively multiple times a day since it leaked, and it only gets more beautiful with every spin. Boxer takes everything good about all the previous albums and incorporates it into a mature, fully realized, self-assured masterpiece. I didn't think any record could kick the ass of Alligator, but Boxer does that unlikely deed.
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AaronMay 21, 2007Great Album
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KyleMay 21, 2007Track to Track, a calming and wonderful listen. Great album!
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EdLeisurewearMay 21, 2007I haven't even heard this yet and it still gets 10 - The National are that good.
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sachepMay 23, 2007stunning.
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MatthewHMay 23, 2007An album that keeps unfolding to reveal more more layers and greater depth on repeated listens. This is the type of album that made me fall in love with music in the first place.
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JasonSMay 24, 2007Album of the year so far. It takes courage to make an album so different from a breakthrough like Alligator, but the National pull it off. This is their best album yet.
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TimBMay 27, 2007excellent
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NathanCMay 4, 2007This album is so well done. Kudos, gents.
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J.K.Jun 11, 2007I thought that Alligator was brilliant, but this is twice is good. An urban masterpiece. It sounds like my heart as a late 20 something.
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tannerJun 12, 2007very thoughtful setlist and great all-around show. I'll stump shamelessly for The National any day.
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FionaVJun 18, 2007It's just ace and keeps on getting better and better
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TJJun 21, 2007Amazing Album. Better than Alligator
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alexJun 2, 2007best band in the world right now by a long distance makes their second masterpiece.
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christianbJun 22, 2007slowburn, spine-tilingling beauty
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pgJun 23, 2007gorgeous!... and heartbreaking..... and comforting..... yet it still never get's cheesy and it kinda rocks! beautifully done.
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GManJun 4, 2007Deep, rewarding, an ultimate sucess. This will appeal to the "Bob Dylan" in all of us. Though not a huge fan (but a fan non the less) of the latter, the rich lyrical content within the surpurb structures of these 12 songs are rife with intricate revelations and specullations - stories through and through. The beats handed down on the skins are truely admirable. Definite Top 5 for 2007, no doubt.
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JonnymJun 8, 2007absolutely sublime...the national are the band that arcade fire wish they could be
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WoutSJul 25, 2007Brilliant album!
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SteveHJul 25, 2007
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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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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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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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BarryP.Nov 18, 2007
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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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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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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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TheNationalMay 26, 2007awesome full stop
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natejMay 27, 2007Immense and beautiful
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rosenMay 31, 2007album of the year.
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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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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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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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Sep 14, 2017This is tremendous, amazing, outstanding, lyrically and musically, an instant classic for music and certainly best album of 2007 and best album from the band,
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Jan 26, 2012Amazing album. The dark, soulful LP from the Brooklyn based band is one of my favorite albums from 2007. Matt Berninger's low, crooning voice and Bryan Devendorf's bruising drums carry this album to great heights.
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Dec 1, 2012The album reflects the ideas and philosophies of a grown up man and his emotions are displayed in such great depth with some amazing music you haven't heard before. Yes, the album has a serious tone and it carries its own melody which is unique and depressing somewhat.
Clearly the best album of 2000s. -
May 1, 2013Quite simply, a masterpiece of modern music. Deeply affective, darkly humorous, and as human as music can possibly be. Honestly the best album of the 2000s.
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Jun 20, 2013I consider this album as a milestone of post-new-wave sound. Furthermore Matt Berninger's voice is outstanding, absolutely unique. Undoubtedly their best album!
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Sep 21, 2014The slow-burning masterwork of a band at it's creative peak, both totally comfortable with where they are, and yet still pushing their own creative abilities and perfecting their craft. A perfect listen from start to finish.
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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.
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SamGApr 29, 2007brilliant
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KyleMMay 23, 2007album of the year so far, easily
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AndyWMay 4, 2007I wasn't too keen on first listen, but after a while the songs just get to. "Mistaken For Strangers", "Slow Show", "Guest Room", and plenty of other strong tracks. Possibly, one of my top 5 favorite albums of this year
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jessemJun 3, 2007These guys are amazing...It's taken me months to get into every one of their albums, but the payoff is staggering. With this album, they've even begun to self-reference their own work, creating this mythology that's incredibly engaging and powerful.
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JaddyPAug 3, 2007
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javiermMay 14, 2007gana con cada escucha, es cierto como dice aqui abajo el compañero. Estamos ante un album que contiene el gran himno del indie de este siglo: Apartment Story. La pegada de la bateria es brutal! Alligator es su obra maestra y esta su gema.
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AdamBMay 22, 2007Not quite as good as Alligator, but still amazing. One of the best of the year for sure.
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MusicMavenMay 24, 2007
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DarnellJun 15, 2007
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danielbJun 29, 2007The album fails to stand up to the impossibly high standard set by the first four songs on the record, but that's ok because 99.9% of music fails to stand up to the remaining songs on this record. Truly moving.
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andyJun 7, 2007Their past albums took me some time to get into but this one was immediate. Only a few throw-out tracks mixed with seven or eight gems.
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ScottAug 22, 2007Any lyrics that have to do with "baking pies" or "make a cake or something" and refers to untarnished kids as "pink" and "ruffians" deserves an A in my book. The singer takes me back to the old days swooner singers wearing maybe a silk shirt and sippin some vodka. Not the best band ever but definitely a gem amongst the million crappy indie records available this year.
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Shes_soLooseAug 31, 2007I was left half-cold by the much acclaimed Alligator: I never could really get into it. Boxer is different, though. It took me just a couple of spins to be drawn into it and I absolutely love it. Standaout tracks: Brainy, Slow Show and Guest Room.
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FrancescM.Dec 15, 2007It's a very special CD. Not original at all, but special.
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DannyPApr 30, 2007Just like Alligator, it gets better with every listen. I find a gem, wear it out, and then find another and do the same. First was Fake Empire. Then came Start a War. Now Slow Show has me hooked. Will be in my top five at the end of the year.
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pauMay 22, 2007mellower, but definitely as good as alligator. feels more cohesive. easily in my top 3 albums of the year along with of montreal and whatever else comes along...
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kdevilhMay 22, 2007I listen to it on the train - it's the perfect accompaniment to lonely moments, exactly what they intended.
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DudeAsInCoolMay 23, 2007The more you play it, the more you like it - I give it a 9.5
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DaveMMay 24, 2007Another fine release from The National, proving indeed that they are America's finest band.
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AlexMMay 25, 2007
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GregMMay 27, 2007Some of the best drumming around
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MycroftWMay 7, 2007Sheer class from top to bottom, do not miss!
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TristramCJun 8, 2007
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Raindog1972Jul 25, 2007This album scares me...like Midlake's record last year...I had to force myself to stop playing it for a week because I was an addict...a wonderful, moody piece...
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RasecAug 14, 2007Thank you for the music!
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LucasC.Sep 11, 2007Good Lyrics... Good Album.
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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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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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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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WaughMay 31, 2007Xo oX and Ed Leisurewear are both idiots.
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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.