SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE NATIONAL – FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN

The National
First Two Pages Of Frankenstein
4AD

With its latest album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, The National continues to prove why it is one of the best alternative rock bands working today.

First Two Pages of Frankenstein features perfect storytelling that is melancholic, sombre, hopeful, and intimate. Sometimes the tracks can become a bit too cryptic and hard to understand. The nostalgia-filled acoustic folk track “New Order T-Shirt” is the most poetic from the album.

“Tropic Morning News” and “Eucalyptus” are sublime from start to finish. The former has groovy and upbeat production, bright guitars, moving lyrics, and Matt Berninger’s voice is haunting. The bittersweetness of “Eucalyptus” is exquisite. It has a short and very melodic guitar solo, a captivating chorus and the repeated questioning of “what about” in the verses perfectly captures the feeling of heartbreak.

Each song that features an artist is magnificent, with “Once Upon A Poolside”, featuring Sufjan Stevens, and “This Isn’t Helping”, featuring Phoebe Bridgers, being the highlights. The simplicity of “Once Upon A Poolside” is gorgeous. It is chilling, poignant, and a terrific way to open the album. “This Isn’t Helping” is an excellent contrast of vocals.

First Two Pages of Frankenstein is yet another terrific album from The National.

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