The National - "Blank Slate" vs. "Keep it Upstairs"

As anyone who reads this blog with any regularity knows, I am a huge fan of almost all things The National. On April 30th (nearly a month prior to the street date of the new album), the band released a limited edition single for Boxer standout, "Mistaken for Strangers". The UK CD single featured two B-sides: "Blank Slate" and "Santa Clara". Since the new full-length was already widely available prior to the release of the single, I just recently got around to listening to these B-sides. Featuring the more traditional National sound, "Santa Clara" is stylistically closer to Boxer and would be a better fit on either of the band's last two albums than would be "Blank Slate". However, "Blank Slate" is the more interesting of the two and, in terms of quality, rivals nearly anything appearing on the new album. The song features a straightforward, driving backing beat and some of the most playful/whimsical lyrics I've heard from singer Matt Berninger. He speaks of finding love by kidnapping someone famous, fending off armies with tennis rackets, and tackling young girls off bicycles. More typical of Berninger, he also states his head is like a "buzzing three star hotel" and that he keeps all his puzzling urges at bay, i.e., "upstairs for the grand finale".

After hearing this tune a couple of times, I felt it was somehow strangely familiar. I realized soon after that "Blank Slate" is a reworking of an earlier National tune, "Keep it Upstairs"-- a B-side from the 2005 "Abel" single. While they share most of the same lyrics, the songs could not be more different. On the most basic level, it appears that someone other than Berninger is singing on "Keep it Upstairs". At the very least, he is employing a falsetto that renders him virtually unrecognizable. His distinctive baritone is unmistakable after all. "Blank Slate" is also much more upbeat than the deliberate, slow churning pop stylings of "Keep it Upstairs". While "Keep it Upstairs" is intriguing because-- for someone unfamiliar with the tune-- it is difficult to detect that is even The National, I nevertheless prefer the re-working. It would have never quite worked on Boxer, but this is one of my favorite tunes from these dudes this year.

Stream the tunes:





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Recent highlights from around the blogs:

This week, nearly every music blog in existence posted this first MP3 from The New Pornographers upcoming full length, Challengers, due 8/12-->
MP3: The New Pornographers - "My Rights Versus Yours"

While their 2005 album, Black Sheep Boy, was among the top tier albums released that year, I nearly forgot about this cool tune from Okkervil River's forthcoming LP, Stage Names, due 8/07-->
MP3: Okkervil River - "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe"

Here's a video of Sufjan Stevens performing "The Lakes of Canada" (the Innocence Mission cover) on the roof of Cincinnati's Memorial Hall, the day of the MusicNOW Festival:

Finally, Mental Floss posted this neat little album cover art quiz. The quiz features the 15 biggest-selling albums in music history and asks if the album covers have been altered in any way. I got 12/15...

Notable Album Releases This Week: 5/22

Today is a big release date in the indie world and this post is dedicated to offering a bit of info about the records I recommend you check out. This may very well become a weekly Tuesday feature here at Moroccan Role. Enjoy!

The National - Boxer

The National's much-anticipated and blog-loved Boxer finally arrives in stores today. Click here to read my post on their first single "Mistaken for Strangers". Unsurprisingly, the album has been receiving rave reviews from critics. This is another strong and cohesive album from these Brooklyn-based Cincinnati transplants.



MP3: The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"
MP3: The National - "Fake Empire"

Buy the album here.

Handsome Furs - Plague Park

Wolf Parade co-vocalist/guitarist Dan Boeckner and his fiancé release their Handsome Furs debut today via Sub Pop. Click here to read my thoughts on the album. Basically, I believe it is the best Wolf Parade spin-off yet and Plague Park is one of my favorite albums of the past couple of months.




MP3: Handsome Furs - "Cannot Get Started"
MP3: Handsome Furs - "Handsome Furs Hate This City"

Buy the album here.

Battles - Mirrored

So-called "math rockers" Battles follow a couple of EPs with their debut album, which adds vocals to the mix for the first time. I've just started giving this one some serious spins, but it is proving to be an excellent and completely original listen. Click here to see what the critics are saying. If any mostly electronic-based music can ever be accurately described as "muscular", Battles are more deserving of that descriptor than any band I've yet to hear.

MP3: Battles - "Atlas"
MP3: Battles - "Ddiamondd"

Buy the album here.

Shapes and Sizes - Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner

Last, but not least, Canadian experimental indie-popsters Shapes and Sizes released their sophomore album today via Sufjan Stevens' label Asthmatic Kitty. The band received much blog love over the past couple of months, but I've finally just stumbled upon their new album. This record may be overlooked due to today's other more high profile releases, but this blurb should serve as a reminder you may wanna pick this album up if you enjoy the tunes below.

MP3: Shapes and Sizes - "Alone/Alive"
MP3: Shapes and Sizes - "Head Movin'"

Buy the album here.

The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"

When Boxer first started trickling out, it seemed people were divided into two camps: those who instantly fell hard for the new album and those who were a bit let down by the lack of "rockers" present. "Mistaken for Strangers" is the closest the upcoming album comes to an "Abel" or a "Mr. November" and, while it is both up-tempo and energetic, it still lacks some of the intensity heard on those tunes. Forgoing the (nearly) reckless abandon of the above-mentioned Alligator highlights in favor of something a little more refined, "Mistaken for Strangers" is no less passionate and showcases many of The National's best qualities. Singer Matt Berninger's distinct baritone provides much of the color in the band's sound and sets them apart from countless other indie bands, but another element crucial in shaping the band's sound is often overlooked-- the drumming. While drummer Bryan Devendorf nearly destroys Boxer opener "Fake Empire" with his overly busy playing (from the 1:45 point to when the vocals exit), he and Berninger bring their A-game on the majority of the new album and on "Mistaken for Strangers", in particular. Instead of competing for the spotlight, they compliment each other perfectly on this track. There is something truly electric that happens when the band is plugging away at their instruments and Berninger is busy narrating his street smart tales filled with broken, stream-of-consciousness imagery. When The National hit their stride, the band is nearly impossible to deny.

Other Boxer highlights include the simple, yet gorgeous "Start a War" and "Apartment Story". There will be inevitable comparisons between Alligator and Boxer, but this is a mostly fruitless endeavor, as nearly all fans of the band will greatly enjoy both albums. However, if I had to choose one album over the other, I still have to go with Alligator. This was one of my very favorite albums of 2005 and, for me, the songs are just a bit stronger.


MP3: The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"


Buy the album here