Boxer (album)
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Boxer | |||||
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Studio album by The National | |||||
Released | May 22, 2007 | ||||
Recorded | Tarquin Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut | ||||
Genre | Indie rock | ||||
Length | 43:24 | ||||
Label | Beggars Banquet | ||||
Producer | Peter Katis | ||||
Professional reviews | |||||
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The National chronology | |||||
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Boxer is the fourth studio album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National. It was released on May 22, 2007 by Beggars Banquet Records. The album features a guest performance by Sufjan Stevens on "Ada" and "Racing Like a Pro"[1] and backing vocals by Marla Hansen.[2] Following its release, it debuted at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 9,500 copies in its first week.[3] The song "Slow Show" contains lyrics from the band's song "29 Years," first found on their self-titled debut album.
A film by Vincent Moon documenting the creation of the album, entitled A Skin, a Night [4] was released on Beggar's Banquet on May 20, 2008.
Contents |
[edit] Artwork
The album cover is a photo of the band performing at producer Peter Katis' wedding.
[edit] Promotional television appearances
The National made their television debut on July 24, 2007, performing "Fake Empire" on the Late Show with David Letterman. The band later performed "Apartment Story" on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on September 26, 2007.
Their song, "Slow Show", appeared on an episode of Chuck, which aired October 8, 2007. Their song "Start a War" appeared on an episode of The Riches, which aired March 25, 2008.
Track 2, "Mistaken for Strangers" made an appearance in an advertisement for E4's Skins series.
[edit] Reception
In the year-end issue of Paste Magazine, Super 45 magazine and The Pop Cop music website, the album was named the best record of 2007. "Mistaken for Strangers" was #92 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[5] Popular internet publication Pitchfork Media ranked the album #17 in their annual end of the year "Top 50 Albums of 2007", as well as on Stylus Magazine's "Top 50 Albums of 2007", at #5; they also ranked "Fake Empire" at #7 on their "Top 50 Songs of 2007". "The Boxer" also garnered the #1 position on WOXY.com's "97 Best of 2007".
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by The National, except where noted.
- "Fake Empire" – 3:25
- "Mistaken for Strangers" – 3:30
- "Brainy" (The National, Carin Besser) – 3:18
- "Squalor Victoria" – 2:59
- "Green Gloves" – 3:39
- "Slow Show" – 4:08
- "Apartment Story" – 3:32
- "Start a War" – 3:16
- "Guest Room" – 3:18
- "Racing Like a Pro" – 3:24
- "Ada" (The National, Besser) – 4:03
- "Gospel" (The National, Besser) – 4:29
[edit] Singles
- "Mistaken for Strangers" (UK: CD, 7" vinyl; US: 7" vinyl) (April 30 / May 1, 2007)
- b/w "Blank Slate" and "Santa Clara"
- "Apartment Story" (UK: 7" vinyl) (November 5, 2007)
- b/w "Mansion on the Hill" (Live) (Bruce Springsteen cover)
- "Fake Empire" (TBA 2008)
- formats TBA
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ The National's Berninger Talks Boxer, Baseball, CYHSY. Pitchfork Media (2007-03-01). Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
- ^ The National Enter the Ring with Boxer. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on April 1, 2007.
- ^ Katie Hasty, "Maroon 5 Nudges Linkin Park From Atop Billboard 200", Billboard.com, May 30, 2007.
- ^ The National A Skin, a Night microsite link
- ^ No byline (December 11, 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-12-21
- Matt Berninger Interview - *Sixeyes Interview w/ Matt Berninger - BOXER 2007