http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6928291&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rssThe National create darkly serious, literate and lush indie rock that reached critical mass with the group's fourth album, 2007’s <I>Boxer</I>, which reached Number Five on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. <br><br> Formed in Brooklyn, New York, the band is composed of Ohio friends Matt Berninger, whose brooding baritone is reminiscent of musical precursors like the late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis; guitarist Scott Devendorf and his drummer brother Bryan; bassist Aaron Dessner and his guitarist brother Bryce. The band has recruited a number of horn, strings and keyboard players for its albums including regular keyboardist and strings arranger Padma Newsome. <br><br> The National’s 2001 self-titled debut, self-released on Brassland Records, was heralded for its mix of melodic alt-country and bleak, introspective lyrics, but the band members had not yet quit their day jobs in the dot-com industry. After releasing a second Brassland album two years later &#8212; the similarly somber <I>Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers</I> &#8212; the band attracted the attention of established indie label Beggars Banquet. The National became a full-time band with its 2005 Beggars Banquet debut <I>Alligator</I<, on which Berninger continued his cockeyed, fatalistic meditations on dysfunctional relationships, insanity and the dark underbelly of New York nightlife. <I>Boxer</I>, released in May 2007, was hailed across the board as the band’s richest, most mature work to date. Post-Punken720Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:34:36 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.6928291&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss The National create darkly serious, literate and lush indie rock that reached critical mass with the group's fourth album, 2007’s <I>Boxer</I>, which reached Number Five on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. <br><br> Formed in Brooklyn, New York, the band is composed of Ohio friends Matt Berninger, whose brooding baritone is reminiscent of musical precursors like the late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis; guitarist Scott Devendorf and his drummer brother Bryan; bassist Aaron Dessner and his guitarist brother Bryce. The band has recruited a number of horn, strings and keyboard players for its albums including regular keyboardist and strings arranger Padma Newsome. <br><br> The National’s 2001 self-titled debut, self-released on Brassland Records, was heralded for its mix of melodic alt-country and bleak, introspective lyrics, but the band members had not yet quit their day jobs in the dot-com industry. After releasing a second Brassland album two years later &#8212; the similarly somber <I>Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers</I> &#8212; the band attracted the attention of established indie label Beggars Banquet. The National became a full-time band with its 2005 Beggars Banquet debut <I>Alligator</I<, on which Berninger continued his cockeyed, fatalistic meditations on dysfunctional relationships, insanity and the dark underbelly of New York nightlife. <I>Boxer</I>, released in May 2007, was hailed across the board as the band’s richest, most mature work to date. http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933629&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933629 tra.13933629 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Fake Empire tra.13933629 205000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933629&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933629&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933630&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933630 tra.13933630 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Mistaken For Strangers tra.13933630 210000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933630&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933630&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933634&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933634 tra.13933634 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Slow Show tra.13933634 248000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933634&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933634&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933635&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933635 tra.13933635 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Apartment Story tra.13933635 212000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933635&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933635&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933631&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933631 tra.13933631 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Brainy tra.13933631 198000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933631&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933631&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933632&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933632 tra.13933632 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Squalor Victoria tra.13933632 179000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933632&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933632&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933636&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933636 tra.13933636 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Start A War tra.13933636 196000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933636&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933636&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.25745291&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 25745291 tra.25745291 The National art.6928291 0.99 Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation) alb.25738231 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/4/3/1/1571342_170x170.jpg 2009-02-16 00:00:00.0 2009-02-16 00:00:00.0 true So Far Around The Bend tra.25745291 222000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.25745291&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.25745291&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933633&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933633 tra.13933633 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Green Gloves tra.13933633 219000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933633&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933633&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933638&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933638 tra.13933638 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Racing Like A Pro tra.13933638 204000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933638&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933638&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933639&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933639 tra.13933639 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Ada tra.13933639 243000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933639&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933639&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933640&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933640 tra.13933640 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Gospel tra.13933640 269000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933640&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933640&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164389&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164389 tra.7164389 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Mr. November tra.7164389 237000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164389&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164389&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933637&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 13933637 tra.13933637 The National art.6928291 0.99 Boxer alb.13933172 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/7/3/7/997371_170x170.jpg 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 2007-05-22 00:00:00.0 true Guest Room tra.13933637 198000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933637&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13933637&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164383&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164383 tra.7164383 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Friend Of Mine tra.7164383 205000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164383&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164383&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164378&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164378 tra.7164378 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Karen tra.7164378 239000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164378&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164378&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164377&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164377 tra.7164377 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Secret Meeting tra.7164377 224000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164377&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164377&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164385&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164385 tra.7164385 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true All the Wine tra.7164385 195000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164385&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164385&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164380&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164380 tra.7164380 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Looking for Astronauts tra.7164380 203000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164380&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164380&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934761&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 6934761 tra.6934761 The National art.6928291 0.99 Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers alb.6931133 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/9/3/6/1816391_170x170.jpg 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 true Cardinal Song tra.6934761 378000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934761&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934761&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164379&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164379 tra.7164379 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Lit Up tra.7164379 175000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164379&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164379&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164381&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164381 tra.7164381 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Daughters Of the Soho Riots tra.7164381 238000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164381&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164381&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164382&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 7164382 tra.7164382 The National art.6928291 0.99 Alligator alb.7161921 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/3/4/694326_170x170.jpg 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 2005-04-12 00:00:00.0 true Baby, We'll Be Fine tra.7164382 201000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164382&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.7164382&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934763&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 6934763 tra.6934763 The National art.6928291 0.99 Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers alb.6931133 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/9/3/6/1816391_170x170.jpg 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 true 90-Mile Waterwall tra.6934763 224000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934763&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934763&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934762&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss Post-Punk Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by The National on Rhapsody Online 6934762 tra.6934762 The National art.6928291 0.99 Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers alb.6931133 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/9/3/6/1816391_170x170.jpg 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 2009-10-06 00:00:00.0 true Slipping Husband tra.6934762 202000 http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934762&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6934762&variant=data&rws=%2Fthe-national%2Ftop-tracks.rss