stay down, champion, stay down {July 28, 2009}

I'm noshing at my desk, typing and stopping to pick apart a slice of bbq pizza. Today's lady who lunches is making a dreadful mess of gooey cheese & crumbs and being lazy! There are so many things to write about and busy-bee myself over. I have a band interview to finish, an intimidatingly large collective of new submission tracks in my inbox, many blogs to check up on, and several emusic credits that are about to expire.

Yet all I want to do is listen to The National and read lyrics and be thinky.
I'm especially stuck on The Virginia EP's "Tall Saint" this afternoon.

Tall Saint - The National | purchase  

A new album is supposed to drop in 2010! I've already heard several new live tracks—"England," "Karamazov," "Blood Buzz Ohio," "Vanderlylle Cry Baby," "A Thousand Black Cities," "Wake Up Your Saints," "Big Red Machine" with Bon Iver from Dark Was the Night, and A NEW COMPILATION TRACK, "Ashamed of the Story I'm Told." (mwah mwah, dear readers who continue to alert me of songs.)

England (Live) - The National | Video
Karamazov (Live) - The National | Video
Blood Buzz Ohio (Live) - The National | Video
Vanderlylle Cry Baby (Live) - The National | Video
A Thousand Black Cities (Live) - The National | Video
Wake Up Your Saints (Live) - The National
Big Red Machine (Live) - Bon Iver and Matt Berninger | Video (thx, mister Listenerd)

And some additional finds that have been floating around for awhile:

Brainy (Alternate Version!) - The National
Dynamite Walls (Live) - Hayden backed by The National
Warm Singing Whores - The National

Listen, listen, sink, pace, putter and flutter goes Liz ....

(Graphic: Giraffe by Denise Simon)

Comments

[Jill Pilgrim]

Oh, I am very excited to listen to these when I get home from the office tonight! What would my ipod do without you?

[Angie]

I always know where to go to get the goods on what's new with The National. I saw them at Pitchfork a couple weekends ago and heard some new tracks. I'm looking forward to the new album!

[matt pearce]

I don't know if "Listen, listen, sink, pace, putter and flutter goes Liz ..." sounds familiar (as you ARE a literate type) or if it's just a beautifully poetic line. But, damn, thanks for being thinky!

[A. Parker]

Yesterday, I helped one of my best friends paint her house, prepping it for her move. Obviously, a very bittersweet day. We cranked up the music and The National came on. I, of course, thought of your blog. We decided that they provide the perfect music for such days and times, even if we couldn't explain why. That's when you know a band is good.

[me]

Yeah, they keep on playing new tunes! I'm seeing them in LA in a month and I hope to hear another shiny new song ....

And Matt, I'm pretty much always thinky. Believe me, it's not always a good thing! :)

And A., you are so right on. I feel like The National is my space-between music, when I am moving to and from momentous events. On the cusp or in the afterwash .... their songs are perfect.

[Allison]

Ah, The National. My loves. I was listening to that album the other night while painting. They are one of my go-to happy place bands. I eagerly await new tunes!