I haven't been this excited about upcoming releases in a while, but it seems that 2010 is the year that all my favorite bands are putting out new music. There's Interpol's upcoming album, the New Pornographers' Together, out tomorrow, and the National's new set, due out May 11, which KCRW is previewing on its web site.
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So how is it? It's hard for the National to disappoint — me, especially — and at first listen, it gave me the same hair-raising hackles Boxer did. According to the New York Times Magazine, the band's aspiration for this album was to make a light, fun, catchy record. “Not so many dirgey love songs,” said vocalist Matt Berninger. But it turned out to be a pretty dark record. I can't wait to see how long it lasts on my playlist.
