The National
The National
with support from St Vincent
Anson Rooms, Bristol
Friday 9th November 2007
by Meg Rowell
Tonight's show is kicked off with an enigmatic performance from St Vincent, guitarist and singer for both The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens and sassy solo artist in her own right. The American singer-songwriter's reputation naturally precedes her, but to see her live is to really believe the hype. Both the venue and the crowd are difficult ones, but twenty-five year old Annie Clark holds her own with a defiantly experimental set incorporating sweet yet feisty vocals with sampled beats and live guitar. Like Cat Power or My Brightest Diamond before her, St Vincent has feminine alt-folk down to a T, but her real appeal is something more intangible. She's a joy to watch and, apart from the odd boozed-up-bloke at the back, no one can take their eyes off her.
St Vincent
Ending the set with the title track from her 2007 debut, Marry Me, St Vincent leaves the stage to jubilant and deserved applause.
New York alt-rockers The National have a loyal following in the UK, and it's clear from the audience's response as they take to the stage, that their arrival on British shores for their latest tour, to celebrate the release of this year's Boxer album, is very welcome indeed.
Choosing to launch the show with Start A War, one of Boxer's most distinctive tracks, proves a popular choice, the crowd revving itself up for an evening of classy rock'n'roll stylings and sing-along hits.
Moving through Secret Meeting and Baby We'll Be Fine, both tracks from 2005's Alligator, it's easy to imagine the kind of bands The National grew up listening to. The sounds of Joy Division, Lou Reed, U2 and Tindersticks soar through their music and yet they manage to remain highly original, in part thanks to Matt Berninger's unmistakable vocals.
It would be easy to say that it's Berninger who carries the band, his unique voice gliding out across the crowd as clear as highly polished glass, but it's also worth noting the sheer skill of the rest of the band, in their ability to produce record quality sound in such a cavernous, gaping space.
The National
Continuing the set with another Boxer track, the memorable Squalor Victoria, The National move with ease through the Velvet Underground-esque Abel, the epic All The Wine, and new track Racing Like A Pro, and while you can't fault them for their fluidity or competence, there's a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that there's something missing. The National are, without doubt, a great band, all shimmery, clean guitars, crisps beats and crystalline vocals, but maybe that's just it. Rock bands, in my mind, should be a little bit rough around the edges, but The National, well, they're just a little too squeaky clean.
That aside, tonight's show is, undeniably, a highly entertaining one and, if you like The National on record, go and see them live. You're more than guaranteed to get your money's worth.
For more details about The National, including any forthcoming UK tour dates, see their page here on Ents24.
