The National – Alligator

I listened to this album more than any other album in my collection this year. For awhile, I played it when I was getting ready to go to work, but now it’s the album I listen to right when I get home. I never get tired of hearing this album.

There are so many reasons that this is my favorite release of the year. The lyrics are serious one moment, and a few seconds later have me grinning because who wouldn’t grin at a line like, “I’m a birthday candle in a circle of black girls, God is on my side.”

I might be in the minority of people who love this album. It seems to get a fair amount of warm applause from blogs, but not many had it listed very high. I think this band was really overshadowed by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and all the hype surrounding them, that the National got pushed aside and went somewhat unnoticed when the two bands toured together.

For me a great album has always been defined as one that I can listen to all the way through, and then be ready to play it again. I’ve done that with this albums many times. It’s been a soundtrack to parties, it’s been the first music I’ve heard in the morning, and the last album I listen to at night. It’s been the album that encapsulates so many memories that when I look back on the year 2005, it would be nearly impossible to not remember how much I enjoyed listening to this album.

If you didn’t get a chance to download the Mp3’s I posted from the National’s “Black Sessions” performance, or are not familiar with the band, please go here and check out the tracks.

What the critics say:

Pitchfork – [7.9]
Coke Machine Glow – 86%
Stylus Magazine – A-

Enter coupon code: muzzle05 for a 10% discount!!!

Madison readers, buy it locally from B-Side Records. If you’re a Milwaukee reader, may I suggest Atomic Records. Please support either store if you live in Madison or Milwaukee.

You can see the rest of my 2005 favorites (so far) by clicking here.