Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
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Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is the second album for the Brooklyn- (formerly Ohio-) based indie rockers fronted by singer Matt Berninger.

Top Track

Lucky You
every time you get a drink and every time you go to asleep are those dreams inside you head is there sunlight on your bed and every time you're... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Uncut
    90
    The musicianship lifts Sad Songs... even further into the realm of the extraordinary. [Dec 2003, p.133]
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    It’s the sound of forbidden affairs, illicit sex with strangers in bars, drunken confessions, of real life. And it feels fantastic.
  3. Filter
    84
    Acoustic guitars, violin, vibes and brush stroked drums all help maintain this steady mellow tone that's about as comforting as a warm bath after three sleepless days of jetlag. [#8, p.106]
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  4. Alternative Press
    80
    Deftly balancing country, classical and cabaret, the National are darkly dramatic and deliciously doomed. [Oct 2003, p.124]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    Plunging into the desperate erotica of their Leonard Cohen-meets-Joy Division world, this Brooklyn quintet sounds both decadent and deprived when brooding about betrayal, lust, even their snappy new outerwear ("Fashion Coat").
  6. Q Magazine
    70
    This is a very minor-chord affair. [Feb 2004, p.104]
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  7. Under The Radar
    50
    The album is plagued by overcooked production, and these are the type of songs--confessional, despairing--that are best served rare. [#5, p.114]
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See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. patricks
    Mar 20, 2005
    10
    A cracking album full of heartbroken songs. The range and style of music on this album is breathtaking. This is mood music that you'll A cracking album full of heartbroken songs. The range and style of music on this album is breathtaking. This is mood music that you'll want to hear over and again. Will appeal to fans of the Czars.… Expand
  2. tomp
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    one of my favorite albums ever. tremendous depth and range.
  4. CollinW
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    Especially when considering the more polished sound of their later albums, Sad Songs is a refreshingly raw and real album. If you can listen Especially when considering the more polished sound of their later albums, Sad Songs is a refreshingly raw and real album. If you can listen to it without becoming intoxicated by Berninger's lullabys, then you need to have your ears checked. 10/10… Expand
  5. DavidR.
    Jul 11, 2008
    9
    Tremendous lyrics, especially on the first track. Some of the tunes get a little bland near the middle but overall it's understated Tremendous lyrics, especially on the first track. Some of the tunes get a little bland near the middle but overall it's understated brilliance that takes a little while to "get".… Expand
  6. GuyH
    Apr 12, 2007
    8
    The first three songs, 'Thirsty' and 'Lucky You' are all top notch and if the rest of an equally high standard I'd The first three songs, 'Thirsty' and 'Lucky You' are all top notch and if the rest of an equally high standard I'd give this album a 10. Unfortunately the other songs, while perfectly good, never quite reach the same heights.… Expand
  7. Ricko
    Mar 29, 2012
    8
    The album before their holy trinity of Alligator/Boxer/High Violet. Sad Songs is a good album but my least favourite of The National's 5The album before their holy trinity of Alligator/Boxer/High Violet. Sad Songs is a good album but my least favourite of The National's 5 records so far but its still very strong. Lyrically it's spot on but occasionally it lacks imagination musically. There are a couple of mid tempo countryish tracks that don't particularly add anything to the record. Although I love The National's slow and mid tempo stuff on other records, here the band sounds better on the more up tempo tracks. That said - these are small complaints and there is a lot more to praise on here than there is to pick at . Murder Me Rachel and Slipping Husband show some of the brilliance that followed on Alligator and the final track "Lucky You" really finishes the album off nicely.… Expand
  8. MBond1810
    Apr 12, 2013
    8
    'Available' and 'Sugar Wife' are two of the best songs of the year. The best National album along with Boxer.

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Shared Album of 2003

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