Tom Lynch

Brooklyn’s The National released "The Boxer" earlier this year by way of Beggar’s Banquet, and it’s the best indie-rock record of 2007 so far. Built with aggressive chord progressions, minimal (but powerful) piano, the milky baritone of vocalist Matt Berninger and, most importantly, the meticulously crafted, inventive drumming of Bryan Devendorf, it’s an undeniably substantial accomplishment, a great follow-up to the band’s very, very good "Alligator." Opener "Fake Empire" begins with a simple, crushing piano progression and Berninger’s Waits-esque seriousness, only to develop into a fire-powered rock song, albeit a reserved one, that busts into a strange horn-led explosion towards the end and features the telling, perfect line "Let’s not try to figure out everything at once" (the timing and delivery of this line is devastating). Songs like "The Apartment"—"Tired and wired, we ruin to easy," Berninger croons—prove that current indie rock can be traditional without being boring and, lyrically, this record is second to none when placed among 2007’s show of hands. Wonderful, passionate work.

The National plays September 22 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 North Sheffield, (773)618-8439, at 7:30pm. $19. (2007-09-18)

Also by Tom Lynch

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Brock Clarke’s new novel, "An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England" (what a great title), works as if it was a memoir, a delicious, biting, hysterical and terrifically melancholy memoir, one actually worth reading in this age of telling the truth on paper. Of course, it’s fiction
(2007-09-11)

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The damning sky dims post-downpour and dirty, damp rabble-rousers, armed with plastic cups filled with Goose Island’s finest, skip puddles in the backwoods off of Elston and Wabansia. The 11th Annual Hideout Block Party, foaming at the brim with both the hipster elite and families-of-four, seems to have dodged the afternoon monsoon, as Glen Hansard and his Frames take the stage to thunderous—uh-oh—applause
(2007-09-11)

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A trip through the dark and stark—Americana’s favorite baritone poet Bill Callahan finally makes his way through town in support of April’s "Woke on a Whaleheart" (Drag City) release, his follow-up to the gentler and folksy "A River’s Too Much to Love"
(2007-09-11)

Tip of the Week
An always pleasing affair altogether, Hideout’s yearly block party often boasts the best festival line-up of the summer—2006’s Touch & Go joint-party was for the books—and this year’s batch of bands shouldn’t be missed either
(2007-09-04)

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Tip of the Week
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Echo Effect
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Wee
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Tip of the Week
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Comparable Comps
(2007-08-17)

Soundcheck
(2007-08-14)

Wright & Wrong
(2007-08-14)

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