The National

Since emerging from Brooklyn in the early 2000s, the National have blended elements of alternative country-rock, Americana, chamber pop, and post-punk into their moody, crafted rock. Their earliest albums won a dedicated fan base and critical praise before they made an impact on the charts with their fourth LP, 2007's Boxer. It marked a gradual shift away from some of their more rustic influences as they embraced a more expansive, orchestral sound behind the literate lyrics and brooding vocals of frontman Matt Berninger. With 2010's High Violet, the National settled into an ev...