National - Apartment Story

by Dixie Ernill

published: 22 / 11 / 2007

Label: Beggar's Banquet
Format: 7"

Fantastic second single from US Americana group the National's excellent and latest 'The Boxer' album

Review

Driven by an urgent 80’s rat-a-tat drum sound, 'Apartment Story' is the great second single to be taken from the National’s excellent 'The Boxer' long player. Like a hybrid of a less mumbled Stuart Staples (The Tindersticks’ front-man) and Interpol’s American take on Joy Division’s claustrophobic sound, it takes just a couple of spins before it becomes lodged in your brain and you find yourself singing the lyric “You’re so disarming, darling” over and over again. An ace single from an ace band, but get this, a fine cover of Bruce Springsteen’s 'Mansion On The Hill' is on the B-side too!

Track Listing:-

1 Apartment Story
2 Mansion On The Hill (Live)

Band Links:-

https://www.americanmary.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thenationalof
https://twitter.com/TheNational

Have a Listen:-

Interviews

Interview (2007)

One of the most acclaimed of the indie scene, the National return at the end of May with their fourth album, 'The Boxer'. Guitarist Aaron Dessner talks to Ben Howarth about the band's development over the last five years and why the new album is a step up for them

Interview (2004)

Live Reviews

Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, 1/7/2008

Helen Tipping is impressed by both the accessibility and stateliness of Americana band the National's unique brand of indie rock at a show at the Metropolitan University in Leeds

Academy, Manchester, 10/11/2007

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, 11/7/2007

Koko, London, 31/5/2006

Favourite Albums

A Skin, A Night (2008)

Ben Howarth looks at 'A Skin. A Night', alt rock band the National's new film and EP package, but, despite it arriving hot on the heels of their high regarded 'Boxer' album, is unconvinced by it.