Music Banter - Crosswalking

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I love reading your journal, you've some really fascinating and intelligent views on things :) keep up the good work.

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. I haven't had a lot of time to respond in the last few days, but I'll have plenty now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian (Post 1003905)

There is something about Boxer which is permanent. Comfortable. Routine. It is an album managing to convey feelings of boredom and mediocrity without falling into them. It is both lush and subdued in its instrumentation. Matt Berninger's tired voice and sober lyrics express stagnancy and disenchantment. Boxer is the dark rings around your eyes as you stir in the morning hours. It is the tie you loosen at the end of an eight hour day.

I still do not believe that Boxer is a "grower" in any sense that can be monitored. You can't count the rings in its bark, or the penciled ticks in the doorway marking its growth. Boxer is unconscious and visceral, a parasite quietly reproducing within your system as you follow your schedule. It is only upon examination that you are made aware of how deeply rooted it has become. It is with this in mind that I must give The National's relentlessly obnoxious fans some due credit. It's not that your enjoyment of Boxer must follow a mathematical incline, but that its personal appeal, subtle and restrained, consumes the listener. Just wait. You'll see.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian E Coleman (Post 1020507)

It's definitely true what you said about routine.

When people talk about their music like this though, about routine, immersion, unconscious, deeply routed...it makes me think whether it's bordering on background music. I suppose if you listen to any music often enough it might become routine and part of your psyche. But music which is more streamlined is probably easier to do this with as you don't engage with it so strongly and it can just flow over you. I know many people nowadays do like music that just has a beautiful sound. That's why there is this idolization of the vocal now, or a beautiful production, over the musical content. I like music that engages and interacts with me more though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrynight (Post 1036133)

I would argue that Boxer is an album that is easy to listen to, not an album that you aren't listening to at all. The fact that it's subtle doesn't go hand in hand with being boring, or with being plain either.

I found myself listening to Ada more than other parts of it. And with High Violet maybe I found England interesting at first. And from what I remember the final song on Alligator sounds a bit angrier than the rest. But in general their songs seem to have the same mood and seem to just flow into each other and I would prefer more variety to engage me.

It's definitely not background music :P I tell my friends to shut up so I can listen if one of their songs come on.

I know what you're saying about musicality and everything stary. The truth is I can't really explain why I like The National so much, just like all music it's pretty subjective.

By the way Pedestrian, your journal is pretty magnificent. It has genuine originality and insight.

Quality journal. I haven't read too many recently and the asides that don't relate to music break it up nicely.