News

December 15, 2004

The National: Album (or EP) of the Year!

Last month The National were featured in Magnet's [LINK TO COME]Magnified section, and we are even prouder to announce that their Cherry Tree EP has been named album of the year in Salon.com. They ranked right above much hyped Montreal band, The Arcade Fire. (Take that Canada!) Neither album was nominated for a Grammy, though. Bummer.

In future "record of the year" news, The National have recently completed sessions for their Beggars Banquet debut. Basic tracks were recorded at various studios and overdubs happened in large part in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, in the Brassland offices, on the Dessner family compound. The sessions were led by Paul Mahajan, who has previously worked on records by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on the Radio. Peter Katis mixed at Bridgeport, Connecticut's lovely Tarquin Studios, and it was mastered at a fancy place that had a framed, hand written note from John Lennon on the wall.

17 tracks were recorded in all, about 13 of which will be released in spring 2005 on an album titled, Alligator. A CD single and a 7", both featuring an updated version of live favorite "Abel" will be released a month or so before the album is released.


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