I think The National are great. This album took a long time to warm to and in truth it is still my least favorite of their albums that I know. I think it is the thick production that keeps me at arms length. This is most certainly a drummer's album. The drums are awesome...in superb playing and in the sound which is heavy and also detailed. Despite the overall heavy handed production there are still some fantastic songs. Anyone's Ghost, Afraid of Everyone and Conversation 16 are standouts. So overall not their best album but it's still The National so still damn good. 3.5 stars