The National

Not only a great album but also a hella cool cover.

Wow, it's been a while. Between the craziness of trips, work, and *gasp* a social life, I haven't had much time for the posting. Fear not all, my schedule looks considerably less hectic over the next few months. Maybe I'll begin posting twice a day to make up for lost time? Do not fear, I would never do that to all 5 readers.

In all the craziness of the last week, I did have time to pick up the newest release from The National entitled Boxer. Here is my thing about The National: I feel like I'm one of the few who did not think Alligator was the shit of 2005. Don't get me wrong, it's not what I'd consider a bad record. It just didn't hit me as hard as it did many people. However, that did not stop me from trying this band again -- alot of people I respect really enjoy these guys and they do have Cincinnati roots. Well, while conducting my bizniz over the last week, Boxer was my background music. Funny thing happened though along the way -- the music was good and became more than just background noise -- it grabbed me, at least more than I expected. Ada, the second of the mp3s below, is maybe my favorite song of the year. I can completely relate to a frustrated narrator tired of hearing "reasons why you don't want to talk about reasons." Then again, I love the arrangements, from the well-placed trumpet and the strings. Anyway, check it out below:

The National -- Start A War
The National -- Ada

[Buy The National here and here]


In other news.

Lost Highway and Ryan Adams have released two song previews from his upcoming album Easy Tiger, due out in June. Check out the links below to take a listen. I am just taking my first listen and although these two tracks are not produced in the country drenched stylings of Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights (although Two is getting there), it's hard to argue with how this guy writes songs. Count me as intrigued.

Ryan Adams -- Two
Ryan Adams -- Everybody Knows

[Buy Adams here]

Enough for now -- we'll come back with the Saturday Six in a few hours.

BK