Artist The National

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The National

Of all the bands that have gained a measure of fame in the indie-rock world this decade, The National seems like the most unlikely, if only because the Brooklyn band makes music that’s subdued, inward-looking, and not immediately striking. But 2007’s Boxer, like Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible and Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, is one of the great consensus records of recent years, with an appeal that goes beyond the band’s initial cult of listeners. Beautifully muted and understated, Boxer drew its intensity from a slow burn, which seems true for The National in general. Now comes the challenge of following up Boxer; the band will reportedly put out a new record in late 2009 or early 2010.

Updated 07/09/2009