The National

The National is a Brooklyn-based alternative rock band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio. The band’s lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger in a distinctive, deep baritone. The rest of the band is composed of two pairs of brothers: Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf. Aaron plays guitar, bass and piano, Bryce plays guitar, Scott plays bass and guitar, and Bryan is the drummer.

Their self-titled debut album “The National” (Brassland 2001) was recorded and released before they had played even a single show. They cut the album with engineer Nick Lloyd and formed a label with writer Alec Bemis, so those recordings could be released. Kerrang! magazine gave it four Ks, calling it “the stuff underground legends are made of.”

The National made a second album, “Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers” (Brassland/Talitres 2003). The staff was the same, though Peter Katis, who produced both Interpol records, helped produce and mix, and Australian composer Padma Newsome from Clogs collaborated on arrangements and strings.

Following the first session of several for Bernard Lenoir on France’s Radio Inter, an in-between EP was released, Cherry Tree, containing what would become the blueprint for the sound on their next record and the session of Sad Song’s standout Murder Me Rachael. After these accolades and being impressed by their live show, Roger Trust signed them to Beggars Banquet.

Boxer

Their fourth album, Boxer, was released on May 22, 2007, and has also received widespread critical praise. The album features contributions from various guest artists including Sufjan Stevens andDoveman (aka Thomas Bartlett). It received #2 best album of the year by stereogum.com and #1 album of the year by Paste Magazine. Their song "Slow Show" from Boxer was featured on NBC's new series, Chuck, and Southland, the CW's One Tree Hill in its current fifth season and "Fake Empire" in the 2008 film Battle in Seattle. In addition, their song "Start A War" was featured on the tenth episode of the international science fiction series "Defying Gravity".
On July 24, 2007, The National performed the song "Fake Empire" on the The Late Show with David Letterman.
On September 26, 2007, The National performed "Apartment Story" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

In the summer of 2008, along with Modest Mouse, they opened for R.E.M. on the promotional tour for the new R.E.M. album Accelerate. That summer they also played many festivals in North Americaand Europe, including Coachella, Sasquatch, Glastonbury, Haldern Pop, Rock Werchter, Optimus Alive!, Oxegen, Benicàssim, Lowlands, O2 Wireless, T in the Park, All Points West, and Lollapalooza.


Boxer has made numerous "album of the decade" lists including Pitchfork Media, Aquarium Drunkard, Paste, and more. Since its release, it has sold over 180,000 copies in US.

Click here for download the album

A very good recommended.

P.S : Copyright biography from The National on Last fm and Boxer's album review from Wikipedia.