Name: First Two Pages of Frankenstein
Brand: The National

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4AD0566LP

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

[r26898326]

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-04-28

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

191400056619

Total Cap

Black LP

4AD0566LPE

[r26832221]

Extended format: Yes

191400056602

Red LP

4AD0566CD

Silver

191400056626

Silver CD

Artist

The National

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

The influential 4AD label was started in 1980 by music enthusiasts Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent with financial help from Beggars Banquet, whose record store chain the pair worked for. Originally called Axis, they released an initial series of four 7" singles before finding out that the name Axis was already being used by another label. They quickly came up with a new name, 4AD, inspired by typography on a flyer announcing their releases. Under Ivo Watts-Russell's guidance, drawing influence from other UK indie labels such as Beggars Banquet, Postcard Records and Factory, 4AD quickly established a unique identity thanks to both the cover designs of Vaughan Oliver/v23 and the label's unique numbering system.

In 1992, 4AD entered a highly publicized Stateside distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records, opening offices in New York headed up by Robin Hurley. The label was largely run from California for most of the decade after Ivo Watts-Russell moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s. In November 1999 it was announced that Martin Mills had taken over as chairman and relocated its HQ to London.

Decoding their unique numbering system reveals various formats like mail-order only releases (4AD), LPs (CAD), MP3 downloads (EAD), posters (FAD), videos (VAD) and more. The numeric portion of their catalog numbers

The National is an American indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Known for their introspective lyrics and melancholic sound, The National has released numerous critically acclaimed albums over the years. Their music often explores themes of love, loss, and personal struggles, resonating with a wide audience. With their distinctive blend of alternative rock and indie folk influences, The National continues to captivate listeners worldwide.

Since their debut album "The National" in 2001, the band has gained a loyal following and received widespread recognition for their unique musical style. Their breakthrough came with the release of "Alligator" in 2005, which showcased their ability to create emotionally charged songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Subsequent albums like "Boxer" and "High Violet" further solidified their reputation as one of the most influential indie rock bands of our time.

In addition to their studio albums, The National has also collaborated with various artists and contributed to soundtracks for films such as "Win Win" and "Ex Machina." They have performed at major music festivals around the world and continue to tour extensively. With each new release, The National pushes boundaries creatively while staying true to their signature sound. Their evocative

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Anchored by evocative melodies and an enthralling lyrical narrative,&nbsp;First Two Pages of Frankenstein&nbsp;signals a thrilling new chapter in the band’s discography.&nbsp;The 11-song album was produced by The National at Long Pond Studios in upstate New York and features guest appearances by Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens.

The follow-up to 2019’s top five hit album&nbsp;I Am Easy To Find,&nbsp;First Two Pages of Frankenstein&nbsp;was initially stalled while lead singer Matt Berninger navigated “a very dark spot where I couldn’t come up with lyrics or melodies at all, and that period lasted for over a year. Even though we’d always been anxious and argued quite a lot whenever we were working on a record, this was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end.”&nbsp;Instead, The National “managed to come back together and approach everything from a different angle, and because of that we arrived at what feels like a new era for the band,” according to guitarist/pianist Bryce Dessner, whose bandmates also include his brother Aaron (guitar/piano/bass) as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

First Two Pages of Frankenstein&nbsp;channels the group’s revitalized chemistry into a body of work that beautifully balances elegant musicality with the National’s more idiosyncratic impulses. Tracks such as “Grease in Your Hair” and “Ice Machines” were road-tested in 2022 before they were recorded, allowing the band to hone the material in real time (another song, “Weird Goodbyes” featuring Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, was released as a standalone track last August). “To me the power of this record has to do with the intentionality and structure of the music meeting with a lot of accidental magic,” says Aaron Dessner.

Swift duets with Berninger on the luminous “The Alcott,” continuing her recent string of collaborations with members of The National on her chart-topping albums&nbsp;folklore&nbsp;and&nbsp;evermore&nbsp;and Aaron Dessner’s Big Red Machine project.&nbsp;The song finds Berninger and Swift inhabiting the roles of a couple attempting to resurrect a troubled relationship, forging a finely drawn story nearly novelistic in scope. “It’s about two people with a long history returning to a place and trying to relive a certain moment in time,” says Berninger. “It’s got the feeling of a last-ditch effort to hold onto the relationship, but there’s a hint of something positive where you can see the beginnings of a reconnection.”

First Two Pages of Frankenstein

Music GB