June 21, 2007
The National @ 9:30 Club
While the opening song was the same, not much else was. After all, the last time The National came to town (as headliners), they played a sold-out show at the Black Cat. This time, they doubled their audience and packed the 9:30 Club. They even had the entire show simultaneously broadcast on NPR.
What changed? Their most recent effort, Boxer, was released to rave reviews, following up on the heels of the well-received Alligator and its hit single, "Mr. November." They've toured with Arcade Fire. And it's hard not to notice a band whose singer is a natural baritone. There's a buzz about The National, and it's easy to see why.
From the delicate verses of "Start a War" to the dramatic build-up and rock finale of "Baby We'll Be Fine" and "Apartment Story" through to the hard-charging crowd favorite "Abel," the band deftly managed to be dark and brooding without being overly depressing. Just when it seemed like the music evoked overwhelming despair ("Mistaken for Strangers," "Brainy"), the band would manage to incorporate a dramatic hook that provided much-needed musical lift. And unlike their previous headlining show at the Black Cat, the addition of keys and viola ("Ada," "Daughter of the Soho Riots") added texture to songs that could otherwise sound thin in a room that size.
While the band's set suffered a few mid-show lulls, they brought their talent to bear during the closing songs and the encore. In the span of five songs, the band played what could arguably have been their best material — "Fake Empire," "Mr. November," "Green Gloves" and "Abel," in that order. And in a closer that I didn't recognize, they wrapped it all up in a song that started slowly and ended with a dramatic build-up and caucaphonous finale. (Yes, the guy with the viola did almost seem like he was going smash it.)
The National write great music and put on a compelling live performance. And while many of its fans would rather not see it happen, the next time they come around they might be headlining some place bigger.
Photos by Kyle Gustafson
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if i remember correctly the closer was "about today" from their Cherry Tree EP, one of my favorites. I did love the finale of the song too. I felt it was perhaps the most elegant way I've ever seen to go about blasting someone's ears out.
Great show but i was disappointed that it was so short. Does 930 have to close up shop by midnight on the weekdays or something?
Agreed, Great show.
anyone catch the openers? I was a bit too late.
Does 930 have to close up shop by midnight on the weekdays or something?
That is why you don't go to the 930 Club if you can avoid it. Well, that and Ticketmaster's ridiculous inconvenience fees.
That's why you get your tickets from tickets.com or the box office, not ticketbastard.
Anyway, the closing song was my absolute favorite, About Today, and it was gorgeous. They were even better than the last time I saw them.
The openers Shapes and Sizes were weird and not very good - amateurish. Talkdemonic has toured with The National before, and they're great even if they're not my thing. It's a woman on a viola, a drummer, and their iBook. No vocals.
The National kicked the asses of both of their openers.
Watching the drummer play is worth the price of admission alone. That guy is amazing!
Matt: I totally agree.
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