Boxer (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Boxer
Boxer cover
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
The National chronology
Alligator
(2005)
Boxer
(2007)
The Virginia EP
(2008)

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.

  1. "Fake Empire" – 3:25
  2. "Mistaken for Strangers" – 3:30
  3. "Brainy" (The National, Carin Besser) – 3:18
  4. "Squalor Victoria" – 2:59
  5. "Green Gloves" – 3:39
  6. "Slow Show" – 4:08
  7. "Apartment Story" – 3:32
  8. "Start a War" – 3:16
  9. "Guest Room" – 3:18
  10. "Racing Like a Pro" – 3:24
  11. "Ada" (The National, Besser) – 4:03
  12. "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"
  • "Fake Empire" (TBA 2008)
    • formats TBA

[edit] Notes and references