I failed to make it to the Pitchfork Music Festival due to a rather bad case of the flu. I was really looking forward to seeing Iron & Wine, Cat Power and Menomena among others. Oh well, there’s always Lollapalooza (if I can come up with the money).

More importantly, The National stopped by Daytrotter last week and recorded four songs you can check out on the Daytrotter web site. They actually performed a cool version of the Psychedelic Furs 80’s hit ‘Pretty in Pink’ which you can download here.

That’s it for now… Oh, I should probably mention I pulled this photo from The National’s website.

The National came to Chicago on Thursday night to perform before a sold out audience at The Metro. I’ve seen The National before and I have to admit that this performance was ‘underwhelming’. Most of the material of the night came from their new album Boxer which I haven’t completely bought into and doubt I’ll ever view it with the same reverence as I do Alligator, their previous release.

The setlist went something like this (although I know I’m missing a song or two):

• Start a War
• Slow Show
• Secret Meeting
• Brainy
• Baby, We’ll Be Fine
• Squalor Victoria
• Lit Up
• Apartment Story
• Daughters of the Soho Riots
• Mistaken for Strangers
• Racing Like a Pro
• Ada
• Fake Empire
• Mr. November

Encore:

• Gospel
• Abel
• Green Gloves About Today (props)

I dig The National for among other reasons their ability to successfully vary the structure of their material. They have soft songs, melodic songs and even a few “yellers” all on an album (another band I would put in this category would be Modest Mouse). Unfortunately Boxer didn’t quite live up to this standard and contains mostly soft songs – pretty ones mind you – I love “Fake Empire”, “Start a War”, “Green Gloves” and “Apartment Story” – but similar in tempo and structure.

Had this performance been at the Old Town School or Lakeshore Theater I would’ve been all about it, but The Metro lacks a certain intimacy. A venue like the Old Town School affords the audience an ability to hear all the nuances of the material, but alas The Metro noticeably lacks this feature. Oh well, it’ll never be my favorite venue in Chicago.

The new National album Boxer has been leaked online. I managed to get a copy and I’m giving it my first listen – I feel no guilt since I’ve already pre-ordered the album (which doesn’t come out until 5/22). I’ll certainly let you know what my impressions are soon… For now you can check out the officially released single “Fake Empire” – amazing stuff. Don’t forget they’re coming to Chicago 6/7 to play the Metro.