KoalaFiftyFour

Wow, we are almost the opposite, and it's cool because that means their sound reaches far! Let me guess: did you like First Two Pages or IAETF more than say, TWFM or SWB? Because I feel like Crumble gives that vibe.

1. Smoke Detector (#1 by a lot)

2. Deep End (was hooked the minute Alphabet City finished)

3. Turn off the House

4. Dreaming

5. Space Invader (love the gnarly rambling towards the end

6. Alphabet City (this might be recency bias because I've had time to listen to it)

7. Hornets (classic National, depressing, sad, beautiful, loving)

8. Weird Goodbyes (again might be recency bias)

9. Coat on a Hook

10. Tour Manager (did not like the fake drums, also probably was extra disappointed because I heard it live without the fake drums)

11. Laugh Track

12. Crumble (only one I skipped after a min in because was impatient to listen to whatever the 7:47 masterpiece was...)

agreed

I love guessing what the lyrics mean, even though often Matt says in interviews that they don't mean anything and they just "sound nice."

In classic National fashion, I think this one is a bit dark (he was on the roof, possibly attempting to hurt himself). Now he's sitting at ground level, in his backyard. This would explain why he's wearing "pharmacy" slippers.

"In a year or so I hope nobody remembers" — is the following line. Indicating he's embarrassed by this.

agreed. was disappointed to hear the fake drums on Tour Manager (because I heard it live in Oregon without fake drums obviously and thought it was so good in that moment). it's still good, don't get me wrong, just different.

Smoke Detector on the other hand...

another potential controversial take: I did not like Crumble, I'll admit skipped it to come back to it later... and goddamn does Smoke Detector absolutely bang.