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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JonB.Jun 23, 2008Yes, I like this album even more than Radiohead's Rainbows. Best album of the year.
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KyleMMay 23, 2007album of the year so far, easily
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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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TristramCJun 8, 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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Jul 3, 2011just amazing. best album of them.
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XooXMay 22, 2007This band, and album, sucks.
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CalvinD.Jun 4, 2008
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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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AlekseyIJun 6, 2007Simply the best
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SamGApr 29, 2007brilliant
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feriatusMay 23, 2007Riveting.
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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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ArthurDJun 1, 2007
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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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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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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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JaddyPAug 3, 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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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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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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PerGMay 22, 2007A grower for sure. Keep listening to this album and you'll keep it close for life.
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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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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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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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MusicMavenMay 24, 2007
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MarkMay 27, 2007Good album...
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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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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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DarnellJun 15, 2007
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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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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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BrunoJJun 5, 2007This album is absolutely SUPERB...
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TylerMJun 6, 2007Begs to be listened to repeatedly.
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kevkJun 6, 2007boring
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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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JimK.Jul 14, 2007Perfect album, not one weakness. This is the band to like right now imo, forget the Shins.
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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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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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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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ChrisPAug 5, 2007Best album of the year and in the top 10 of the decade. Buy it immediately.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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DudeAsInCoolMay 23, 2007The more you play it, the more you like it - I give it a 9.5
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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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TrekDMay 23, 2007A huge crushing dissapointment after the amazing "Alligator" LP.
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RocoMay 23, 2007Average, nothing spectacular. Doesn't deserve such a high rating on this website.
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BlakeMay 23, 2007Very overated.
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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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DaveMMay 24, 2007Another fine release from The National, proving indeed that they are America's finest band.
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toddwMay 24, 2007
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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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AlexMMay 25, 2007
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TimBMay 27, 2007excellent
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GregMMay 27, 2007Some of the best drumming around
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NathanCMay 4, 2007This album is so well done. Kudos, gents.
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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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MycroftWMay 7, 2007Sheer class from top to bottom, do not miss!
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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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marcopoloJun 14, 2007a piece of s##t ...
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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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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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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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BrianA.Jul 14, 2007Just not as intense as the previous release
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cwbJul 24, 2007
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WoutSJul 25, 2007Brilliant album!
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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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SteveHJul 25, 2007
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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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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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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.