More "Sadcore" or whatever you call it
October 6, 2011 9:47 AM Subscribe
I really like The National (yes, yes, I'm a little late to the party...). What other bands like them should I try?
at one end of the spectrum would be Nugaze i think. ( i sort of lump the national into the less synth pop side of that genre)
posted by chasles at 10:17 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by chasles at 10:17 AM on October 6, 2011
My Bloody Valentine
Frightened Rabbit
The Twilight Sad
posted by jbickers at 10:45 AM on October 6, 2011
Frightened Rabbit
The Twilight Sad
posted by jbickers at 10:45 AM on October 6, 2011
Seconding The Tindersticks with those smooth baritone vocals and orchestral surrounds, possibly The Shins, The Everyday Visuals, Dream City Film Club, Pela, some Joy Division (their "upbeat" songs: "Transmission," "She's lost control" "Love will tear us apart," "Atmosphere," etc.). How far back are we digging? Maybe The The and The Church.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:46 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by cocoagirl at 10:46 AM on October 6, 2011
None of these actually sound much like The National, but people who like The National also seem to love Andrew Bird, Beirut, and Sufjan Stevens (and, to a slightly lesser extent, Broken Social Scene and their absurdly large ecosystem of related acts...they're kind of like the Kevin Bacon of Canadian Indie Rock bands, except you need a whole lot less than seven degrees to trace your way back to them...you could probably connect every living Canadian musician to BSS in 2 or 3 degrees).
Sounding more like The National are Scottish bands, Broken Records and The Twilight Sad.
Coincidentally, Broken Records are labelmates with The National, both being signed to 4AD. 4AD is a tiny label with a ridiculously solid roster throughout. I can honestly recommend every single one of their currently signed artists.
I'd also give The Frames a try, although they're a bit more folky. If you like the Frames and don't mind the folk, I'd strongly strongly strongly recommend listening to Josh Ritter.
chasles' comparison to New Wave and Shoegaze is really interesting, and something I hadn't really considered before. My suspicion is that the comparison makes sense primarily because The National sound a bit like Joy Division and New Order. Give both a listen. Apart from any similarities (or not) to The National, they're both great bands.
Oh, yes. And Frightened Rabbit. Good call, jbickers. For some reason, most of these bands are Scottish (and, having lived in Scotland, The National's slow, brooding style kind of resonates with that whole experience, take that as you will...)
posted by schmod at 10:49 AM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sounding more like The National are Scottish bands, Broken Records and The Twilight Sad.
Coincidentally, Broken Records are labelmates with The National, both being signed to 4AD. 4AD is a tiny label with a ridiculously solid roster throughout. I can honestly recommend every single one of their currently signed artists.
I'd also give The Frames a try, although they're a bit more folky. If you like the Frames and don't mind the folk, I'd strongly strongly strongly recommend listening to Josh Ritter.
chasles' comparison to New Wave and Shoegaze is really interesting, and something I hadn't really considered before. My suspicion is that the comparison makes sense primarily because The National sound a bit like Joy Division and New Order. Give both a listen. Apart from any similarities (or not) to The National, they're both great bands.
Oh, yes. And Frightened Rabbit. Good call, jbickers. For some reason, most of these bands are Scottish (and, having lived in Scotland, The National's slow, brooding style kind of resonates with that whole experience, take that as you will...)
posted by schmod at 10:49 AM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Can't link but Iron and Wine are great too.
posted by honey-barbara at 10:51 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by honey-barbara at 10:51 AM on October 6, 2011
I eagerly await other suggestions since I am pretty much the hugest fan of The National ever, and have been having a hard time finding other bands I like as much.
One group that sounds a bit like them to me is Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's. You may also want to check out Gabriel Kahane, who has played with The National and Sufjan Stevens, who I saw mentioned above. I saw both Beach House and Wye Oak play with The National on different occasions, and while they are not exactly the same (both have female singers) I think there is a similar vibe. And I don't know their music too much but some songs by Destroyer remind me of The National as well.
posted by mlle valentine at 11:00 AM on October 6, 2011
One group that sounds a bit like them to me is Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's. You may also want to check out Gabriel Kahane, who has played with The National and Sufjan Stevens, who I saw mentioned above. I saw both Beach House and Wye Oak play with The National on different occasions, and while they are not exactly the same (both have female singers) I think there is a similar vibe. And I don't know their music too much but some songs by Destroyer remind me of The National as well.
posted by mlle valentine at 11:00 AM on October 6, 2011
Oh, great thread, I'll be watching it with interest. I'm a huge huge fan of The National and there's a few bands mentioned here I haven't heard of.
You could try The Gaslight Anthem. Their quieter stuff definitely reminds me of The National.
And if you're going down the New Order/Joy Division route, give White Lies a go.
posted by badmoonrising at 11:10 AM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
You could try The Gaslight Anthem. Their quieter stuff definitely reminds me of The National.
And if you're going down the New Order/Joy Division route, give White Lies a go.
posted by badmoonrising at 11:10 AM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
New Ruins have a midwestern tinge, but their songs travel similar paths.
French Kicks are a bit more upbeat, but sorta morose at the same time.
Wilco!
Enjoy!
posted by obscurator at 11:24 AM on October 6, 2011
French Kicks are a bit more upbeat, but sorta morose at the same time.
Wilco!
Enjoy!
posted by obscurator at 11:24 AM on October 6, 2011
check out the veils song "lavinia"
other good tracks by the veils include: the leaver's dance, calliope, it hits deep, night thoughts of a tired surgeon, sit down by the fire, talk down the girl, the tide that left and never came back, and the list goes on and on.
long story short, check out the veils because they are an amazing band.
posted by sincerely-s at 11:40 AM on October 6, 2011
other good tracks by the veils include: the leaver's dance, calliope, it hits deep, night thoughts of a tired surgeon, sit down by the fire, talk down the girl, the tide that left and never came back, and the list goes on and on.
long story short, check out the veils because they are an amazing band.
posted by sincerely-s at 11:40 AM on October 6, 2011
The National has been getting a lot of play on the current, so you could stream them for similar sounds and other music you may enjoy.
posted by kavasa at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2011
posted by kavasa at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2011
My strongest association with The National is not Matt Berninger's voice but his lyrics, which I could read all day without accompaniment and still be madly in love with them. I'm guessing that's part of what draws their fans to musicians like Andrew Bird, Josh Ritter, Iron & Wine, and Sufjan Stevens, as others mentioned (and I second). They don't sound alike, but all are similarly meticulous about their arrangements and their best songs are built like poems. Tindersticks and Turn on the Bright Lights-era Interpol are probably the closest sound/lyric matches in this thread.
Similar lyricists/mood:
- Will Sheff of Okkervil River, who also has a distinctive voice.
- Guy Garvey of Elbow, who has mellowed out since their earlier albums but was consistently elegiac and National-like on Asleep in the Back and Cast of Thousands.
- Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf
- Justin Ringle of Horse Feathers
- Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers William, if what you really want is to feel sad.
Similar musicianship:
- The Antlers. Their latest album is beautiful.
- Shearwater
- maybe DM Stith?
posted by Cue the Strings at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Similar lyricists/mood:
- Will Sheff of Okkervil River, who also has a distinctive voice.
- Guy Garvey of Elbow, who has mellowed out since their earlier albums but was consistently elegiac and National-like on Asleep in the Back and Cast of Thousands.
- Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf
- Justin Ringle of Horse Feathers
- Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers William, if what you really want is to feel sad.
Similar musicianship:
- The Antlers. Their latest album is beautiful.
- Shearwater
- maybe DM Stith?
posted by Cue the Strings at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
I think I'd need more detail on what about what you like about The National to give real recommendations. But here are some bands that evoke the same mood in me. (Fall. Roadtrip through Vermont. Aaaaah.)
Menomena
Bon Iver
Frightened Rabbit
Beirut
The Decemberists
posted by functionequalsform at 12:16 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Menomena
Bon Iver
Frightened Rabbit
Beirut
The Decemberists
posted by functionequalsform at 12:16 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I just listened to some The Tindersticks, and was surprised at how similar the vocalist's voice and phrasing are to Tim Hardin's. If you like that aspect of that particular band, give him a shot.
Part of me would really enjoy thinking that you can go from liking The National => The Tindersticks => Tim Hardin, because while each step makes sense on its own, the start and end points are not close at all.
posted by jsturgill at 12:46 PM on October 6, 2011
Part of me would really enjoy thinking that you can go from liking The National => The Tindersticks => Tim Hardin, because while each step makes sense on its own, the start and end points are not close at all.
posted by jsturgill at 12:46 PM on October 6, 2011
Maybe it's because I found them at the same time, but I always place Destroyer next to The National.
posted by The Michael The at 1:12 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by The Michael The at 1:12 PM on October 6, 2011
The National is my FAVORITE.
Bon Iver, Jónsi and Broken Social Scene come close in my heart, but none of them beats my love for The National.
As for bands/singers with a similar feeling, I suppose I'd second White Lies, The Antlers, Frightened Rabbit, and Shearwater, plus some of TV on the Radio, VAST, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Destroyer, and Passion Pit.
posted by changeling at 2:28 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bon Iver, Jónsi and Broken Social Scene come close in my heart, but none of them beats my love for The National.
As for bands/singers with a similar feeling, I suppose I'd second White Lies, The Antlers, Frightened Rabbit, and Shearwater, plus some of TV on the Radio, VAST, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Destroyer, and Passion Pit.
posted by changeling at 2:28 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Magnetic Fields. When I first heard the National, I thought it had to be a side project by the Magnetic Fields' frontman, Stephen Merrit. It doesn't have the same sonic richness, but his voice is very similar and melodically I see some similarities.
posted by lunasol at 2:56 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by lunasol at 2:56 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I agree with many of the other recommendations, so I'll just add The Editors.
posted by gatorae at 3:38 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by gatorae at 3:38 PM on October 6, 2011
You could try The Gaslight Anthem. Their quieter stuff definitely reminds me of The National.
If you just want The Gaslight Anthem's quiet stuff, the lead singer's new band The Horrible Crowes just released an album.
If you like that, I've got about 30 live versions, acoustic covers, etc.
Other connections: The National have an album called The Boxer. Gaslight have a song called Boxer. They've both worked with Springsteen, and their last albums leaked on the same day.
You might want to check out The Walkmen or maybe Bright Eyes.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:18 PM on October 6, 2011
If you just want The Gaslight Anthem's quiet stuff, the lead singer's new band The Horrible Crowes just released an album.
If you like that, I've got about 30 live versions, acoustic covers, etc.
Other connections: The National have an album called The Boxer. Gaslight have a song called Boxer. They've both worked with Springsteen, and their last albums leaked on the same day.
You might want to check out The Walkmen or maybe Bright Eyes.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:18 PM on October 6, 2011
can't believe nobody's mentioned Arcade Fire yet.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:20 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:20 PM on October 6, 2011
Sunset Rubdown, which is the side project of one of the guys from Wolf Parade; maybe now it's his main gig as I think Wolf Parade broke up.
You'd like both of them I'm sure, but SR is more.... theatrical, and more emotionally raw. 'Dragon's Lair' is easily one of my favourite albums of the last couple of years and I can't help but feel that more people would and should love it.
posted by Flashman at 5:40 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
You'd like both of them I'm sure, but SR is more.... theatrical, and more emotionally raw. 'Dragon's Lair' is easily one of my favourite albums of the last couple of years and I can't help but feel that more people would and should love it.
posted by Flashman at 5:40 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Lots of good recommendations in this thread so far (The The!). This song by B. Fleischmann is a little Nationalish. His other work, not so much.
I'll second the Frames and Beirut, as well, and maybe select David Sylvian? Maybe Eluvium? This may be straying somewhat far from the National, but there's a thread tying all of these together, I think (aside from all of them having strong male vocalists).
On the slightly darker side of things, you might like Midlake.
posted by byanyothername at 6:24 PM on October 6, 2011
I'll second the Frames and Beirut, as well, and maybe select David Sylvian? Maybe Eluvium? This may be straying somewhat far from the National, but there's a thread tying all of these together, I think (aside from all of them having strong male vocalists).
On the slightly darker side of things, you might like Midlake.
posted by byanyothername at 6:24 PM on October 6, 2011
Band Of Horses are almost as lush as The National
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:25 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:25 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Hmm, in my opinion the most distinct thing about the National is their drummer, and I'm having trouble thinking of similar acts as a result.
posted by threeants at 6:44 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by threeants at 6:44 PM on October 6, 2011
Hmm, in my opinion the most distinct thing about the National is their drummer, and I'm having trouble thinking of similar acts as a result.
Agreed, and you should give French Kicks a watch/listen.
posted by obscurator at 7:10 PM on October 6, 2011
Agreed, and you should give French Kicks a watch/listen.
posted by obscurator at 7:10 PM on October 6, 2011
I'd recommend the Czars. Another male lead singer with a lovely baritone, and while the Czars are rather less polished than The National, I think they share some similarities. If you're looking for other musicians with similarly strong lyrics and overall great arrangements, I second the recommendation for Josh Ritter. I also second the recommendation for The Antlers. I can't quite pinpoint what puts them on the same continuum as The National for me, but I adore both The National and The Antlers, so I say give them a shot. (A warning: The Antlers' Hospice is one of the most singularly crushing and heartrending albums I have ever heard. Beautiful, but it puts you through the ringer.)
posted by yasaman at 7:29 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by yasaman at 7:29 PM on October 6, 2011
The National are touring here again soon, as are Bright Eyes and Okkervil. They all share a sort of depressive sensibility, but I haven't found anything that's both widescreen/cinematic and depressing. The National have a trick of sounding sad, but also glorious...
you could go Radiohead/Coldplay
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:28 PM on October 6, 2011
you could go Radiohead/Coldplay
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:28 PM on October 6, 2011
They all share a sort of depressive sensibility, but I haven't found anything that's both widescreen/cinematic and depressing. The National have a trick of sounding sad, but also glorious...
Radiohead and Arcade Fire both can pull this off quite well, though neither sounds particularly like The National (Arcade Fire does a little, I'd guess), as Radiohead has the whole electronic experimentation thing and Arcade Fire sounds quite a bit more melodramatic.
I think the really unique thing about The National is the mood it evokes, which is sad, but in a rather grown-up, almost subdued, sort of way. It's not a woe-is-me or a nobody-understands-me sort of sadness. I absolutely love the band, and I think that's why...I really cannot come up with another group and/or musician that is so good at capturing adult angst, which different from adolescent angst, and in many ways more complicated.
posted by breakin' the law at 9:32 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Radiohead and Arcade Fire both can pull this off quite well, though neither sounds particularly like The National (Arcade Fire does a little, I'd guess), as Radiohead has the whole electronic experimentation thing and Arcade Fire sounds quite a bit more melodramatic.
I think the really unique thing about The National is the mood it evokes, which is sad, but in a rather grown-up, almost subdued, sort of way. It's not a woe-is-me or a nobody-understands-me sort of sadness. I absolutely love the band, and I think that's why...I really cannot come up with another group and/or musician that is so good at capturing adult angst, which different from adolescent angst, and in many ways more complicated.
posted by breakin' the law at 9:32 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
They all share a sort of depressive sensibility, but I haven't found anything that's both widescreen/cinematic and depressing. The National have a trick of sounding sad, but also glorious...
Here's what you do: listen to the first Glasvegas record and read along with the lyrics
posted by jbickers at 5:52 PM on October 7, 2011
Here's what you do: listen to the first Glasvegas record and read along with the lyrics
posted by jbickers at 5:52 PM on October 7, 2011
To illustrate my point about Glasvegas (who I absolutely adore, and think you will too):
It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry | Lyrics
Flowers and Football Tops | Lyrics
Daddy's Gone | Lyrics
posted by jbickers at 6:07 PM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry | Lyrics
Flowers and Football Tops | Lyrics
Daddy's Gone | Lyrics
posted by jbickers at 6:07 PM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Springsteen. Darkness at the Edge of Town
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:52 PM on October 7, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:52 PM on October 7, 2011
I can't believe it's taken me this long (because it's just so obvious... iPod shuffle helped me out): Tindersticks
posted by Flashman at 8:48 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by Flashman at 8:48 PM on October 8, 2011
(oh wait a minute that was like somebody's first suggestion...never mind)
posted by Flashman at 8:50 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by Flashman at 8:50 PM on October 8, 2011
We Were Promised Jetpacks.
posted by andrewcilento at 9:00 AM on October 15, 2011
posted by andrewcilento at 9:00 AM on October 15, 2011
I just built a Pandora station with nearly every single artist mentioned in this thread put into it. My next week at work is going to be so exciting! That is, if I can finally convince Pandora that no, I don't just want you to play entire Radiohead albums at me. Thumbs down every time. (Not Radioheadist, it's just not what I want right now.)
posted by Polyhymnia at 10:20 AM on October 21, 2011
posted by Polyhymnia at 10:20 AM on October 21, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roger ackroyd at 9:57 AM on October 6, 2011