1. The National: Trouble Will Find Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIWmRbHDhGw Without a doubt; The National can be considered heavyweights in the alternative genre. The stylish band has released five LPs which range from being a pretty decent listen (their self-titled album) to sounding so damn good that hipster folk would beat you for stating their name in vain (High Violet). So there is no reason to imagine that their latest album, Trouble Will Find Me would be anything less than reputable, right? Well, yes, their latest record does not disappoint. Fans of the band should be accustomed to Matt Berningers harmonious, baritone vocals. Trouble Will Find Me has brawny, forceful vocals throughout, and in Demons, Berninger takes full advantage of his talents by singing a stunning, calming bass melody over distantly delayed guitars. When you consider that so many singers in the alternative genre have a note range that suggests maybe their testicles have yet to drop, Berningers beautifully deep voice is an inspirational change of pace. The albums theme centres on the ways that Berningers old friendships impinge on his present day living, and even though it might be tricky to depict that subject matter, The National pulls it off remarkably well. Pink Rabbits is the main enforcer of this theme with the chorus, Am I the one you think about/ When youre sitting in your fainting chair drinking pink rabbits? Similarly, other songs, like Slipped and Heavenfaced, use equally persuasive imagery, and many of the songs have found the fundamental balance of leaving some things open to analysis while not being steeped in nauseating metaphors.