I've been at several National concerts and it feels both familiar and new the intensity Matt Berninger and the band put on stage, transforming some of their otherwise intimate songs in cathartic moments with the audience.
Albeit their recent albums may feel a bit accomodated to me, The National is still a band worth seeing live, and this is a great proof of that.
The National’s Rome is nothing short of a masterpiece. This album captures a haunting yet immersive atmosphere that draws you in right from the start. Listening to it, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a Massive Attack concert I attended in Italy some years ago—a night where the air felt heavy with emotion, and every note seemed to ripple through the crowd. The same gripping intensity can be found here, distilled into each song.
Matt Berninger’s voice is, as always, pure magic. It’s like the anchor to a stormy sea of instrumentation—steady, rich, and incredibly emotive. Nearly every track demands to be played at full volume, not just to hear but to feel… More