The National
Rome
4AD
Live albums have two functions. Mainly, they are a reward to the fans. A live album gives fans who have seen the band a memory prompt to relive the experience. For fans who haven’t seen the band, it gives them that vicarious thrill of experiencing the show secondhand and gives them a chance to hear how the songs evolve in a live setting. The second function of a live record is to allow the non-fan a chance to catch up. I fall into that category. I’ve had people whose opinion I trust recommend The National several times. But where does a novice dive into a 20+ year discography? (And what does it say about me that The National is still a “new” band?) Well, Rome is a good jumping on spot, as it offers something of a career retrospective with a raw (no overdubs) production.
The National are Cincinnati transplants who got together in Brooklyn, New York, in 1999. The band consists of singer Matt Berninger, guitarist and keyboardist brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner, with the brothers Bryan and Scott Devendorf making up the rhythm section. The band released two independent albums before joining Beggars Banquet for their third album, Alligator. Their last albums, The First Two Pages of Frankenstein and Laugh Track, featured guests Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, and Sufjan Stevens.
Rome was recorded live with no overdubs at Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone. The album features versions of beloved songs like “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “Don’t Swallow the Cap,” “I Need My Girl,” “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “England” and “Fake Empire.” Recent tracks “Eucalyptus,” “New Order T-Shirt,” “Tropic Morning News,” and the boundary pushing “Smoke Detector” get refocused live readings.
I can’t offer deep dives into The National’s song book. It sounds like these songs would reward repeated listening with lyric sheet in hand. The rhythmic pulse of “The System Only Dreams at Night” makes me think of The Tragically Hip. The roll call of influential but largely forgotten bands on “Eucalyptus” sort of reminds me of mid-period U2. At over two hours long, there is plenty to dig into and contemplate. Devoted fans have their moment when the set closes with the fans taking over the vocals on “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks.”
As a latecomer to the National, Rome serves as a great introduction. That closing track with all those Romans singing lead attests that the longtime fans are going to love this.
