the National : "Laugh Track"

The second album from these guys this year was a bit of a surprise. Songs that did not fit what they were doing on 'the First Two Pages of Frankenstein" and were further fleshed out on tour. Where the previous album was more introspective pop, they allow the drums to take the wheel and steer them into a more rock direction. This is not to say they do not indulge in similar sonics on song like "Weird Goodbyes", which features Bon Iver. They largely shed the Taylor Swift influence on this album. Matt's mellow yet resonate baritone gives plenty of room to muse. When Justin Vernon chimes in, his voice is mixed as a background layer and does not step into the spotlight. 

"Turn off the House" feels like a folky ballad that has a brisk current of drummer rolling under it . The works to make this not feels like slow song, but rather a song that is lazing about behind itself. It takes a second listen to really take in the song's nuances. Many of them hide in the lyrics. "Dreaming" is another song that I had to listen to a few times before it sank it. It works off a hypnotic pop drone. There is a more laid back twang to the title track that features Phoebe Bridgers. She just kind coasts as a more delicate layer under his voice.  "Space Invader" has all the right accents in all the right places, making it's sleepy mood work. The jammy build up in the songs second half is cool and would work well live. 

"Hornets" works off a more country inspired strum. Lyrically reflective, the clever play of words proves to be their strength. "Coat on a Hook" works more off the ambient shimmer of the guitar that trickles around the vocals. The first song on this album that feels like filler, though it still works for what they do. "Tour Manager "works off a more reserved and introspective drone. The country amble of  "Crumble" feels like it was designed for Rosanne Cash who lends her voice to this song, though that has always been a subtle influence to what they do. The last song feels like if Nick Cave was trying to write electronic music, it's not the album's strongest song, though I like how it gradually builds. I will give this album a 9.5, it continues to show that these guys are great songwriters, capable of a wider range than given credit for.