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10.0
133733
10.0 |
NME
With a little help from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens, the US indie heroes deliver a dose of profound catharsis and their finest album in a decade
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10.0
133758
10.0 |
XS Noize
See review
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9.0
133749
9.0 |
Northern Transmissions
An album of low-key brilliance, one that doesn’t immediately vie for your attention but will seduce you with its emotional subtlety. A delicate masterpiece
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8.5
133847
8.5 |
Paste Magazine
Their most emotionally resonant in years
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8.0
133921
8.0 |
Uncut
A skilful portrait of what it means to feel disconnected from the joy and urgency of life
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8.0
133837
8.0 |
The Skinny
An excellent exploration into recovery from depression, passion and addiction, this is one of the finest records The National have released in quite some time
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8.0
133754
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
Nine albums deep, the National find new energy by conjuring not just a great, suffocating fog but also the far light that guides the way out
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8.0
133724
8.0 |
Clash
Like Frankenstein and his monster, the commitment to the design and blueprint of this record is incredible; every minute detail, sound, glitch, has been selected with the utmost care by The National
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8.0
133760
8.0 |
Dork
Throughout the album, The National stay true to their roots, a testament to quality rather than redundancy
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8.0
133819
8.0 |
PopMatters
Indie rockers The National use every tool in their toolbox, from devastating lyrics to a Taylor Swift feature, to create a cohesive and expressive ninth LP
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8.0
133768
8.0 |
The Independent
After sinking into a deep depression, Matt Berninger returns with The National on this reassuring, if rather soporific, collection of songs
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8.0
133769
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Mary Shelley’s novel brought Matt Berninger out of a creative rut
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8.0
133777
8.0 |
All Music
Nothing here sounds precisely new - this is the aesthetic that gelled around the time of High Violet, yet the skill in the craft is married to a brightness in outlook that lets First Two Pages of Frankenstein operate on two parallel paths: it can serve as moody atmosphere or reward close listening
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8.0
133780
8.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
First Two Pages of Frankenstein is yet another dose to remind you why – and how – the band have managed to carve their own special place out in the cultural landscape
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7.5
133822
7.5 |
Spectrum Culture
After a career of songs meant to feel as big as possible, The National have recorded an album that shows its best side not when you blast it, but when you tuck yourself away in a pair of headphones
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7.0
133726
7.0 |
Slant Magazine
While the album doesn’t necessarily break new ground for the band, it’s an exemplary display of what they do best
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7.0
133734
7.0 |
DIY
There’s a lot to unravel and enjoy - but it takes a bit of patience to get there
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6.9
133825
6.9 |
Beats Per Minute
They’ve built up enough good will at this point that they’re able to maintain a massive fanbase by coasting through comfortable records – and they could probably continue to do that for a few more years at least. But, if Berninger and co really want to rediscover purpose in their lives and work, perhaps it’s time to push themselves somewhere a little riskier
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6.6
133751
6.6 |
Pitchfork
With help from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sufjan Stevens, the National return with their gentlest album yet: a collection of airy, tender gestures
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6.0
133755
6.0 |
Mojo
A sometimes-striking record that suggests new ground without actually reaching it. Print edition only
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6.0
133756
6.0 |
Under The Radar
On Frankenstein, The National show signs of renewed potential after their period of uncertainty, even if in split second glimpses and snapshots and sounds
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6.0
133767
6.0 |
The Irish Times
These slow-burning songs never quite ignite, despite the arguably incongruous presence of big-name guests
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6.0
133794
6.0 |
The Observer
The US band’s ninth album features guest vocals from pals Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, but their signature melancholy remains undimmed
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5.0
133783
5.0 |
musicOMH
Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift and Sufjan Stevens join Matt Berninger and co on the follow-up to I Am Easy To Find
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