REVIEW: The National at the Camden Barfly on 19 Apr
A cramped, full to capacity Barfly may not be the most comfortable of settings, but such is the buzz surrounding this band currently that it was only to be expected. On the back of unanimously positive reviews for new album 'Alligator' tickets for this date sold out some weeks ago. The National have been likened to bands like Tindersticks and American Music Club, but whereas these bands' live performances tend to be low key and modest,
The National are a ferocious and unruly live band. Matt Berninger in particular is a livewire front man, who effortlessly changes persona depending on the track; the more subdued and subtle tracks found him crooning in a melancholic fashion, but the more up tempo and rockier tracks seemed to transform Berninger into a violent and chaotic beast; his hanging from the roof of the room seemed frankly perilous and potentially dangerous
- fortunately he avoided any catastrophe. The band play with such energy and vitality, it's hard to not be impressed. The set comprised mainly of tracks from 'Alligator', which is to be expected - they have a record to plug after all, but some welcome treats from previous album 'Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers' found their way into the set. The band will return to the UK in a month or so after a European tour, and I urge anyone intrigued to attend. The National are one of the discoveries of the year.
KW