Alligator (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Alligator
Type = Album
Artist = The National


Released = April 12, 2005
Recorded = Tarquin Studios
Genre = Indie rock
Length = 48:00
Label = Beggars Banquet Records
Producer = Peter Katis
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:5c4tk6axykrd link]
*Dusted (Mixed) [http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2051 link]
*Pitchfork Media (7.9/10) [http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20312/The_National_Alligator 5 Apr 2005]
*PopMatters (2/10) [http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/national-alligator.shtml 13 Apr 2005]
*PopMatters (7/10) [http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/national-alligator2.shtml 25 Apr 2005]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thenational/albums/album/7161921/review/7234921/alligator 21 Apr 2005]
*Stylus (A-) [http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-national/alligator.htm 12 Apr 2005]
Last album = "Cherry Tree"
(2004)
This album = "Alligator"
(2005)
Next album = "Boxer" (2007)

"Alligator" is the third album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band, The National. This album was on many end of year top 10 lists. Uncut Magazine and Planet Sound had it as their No.2 album of 2005. This album was the first that brought The National real critical acclaim and led them to headline a tour, with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah opening.

Track listing

# "Secret Meeting" - 3:44
# "Karen" - 3:59
# "Lit Up" - 2:55
# "Looking for Astronauts" - 3:23
# "Daughters of the SoHo Riots" - 3:59
# "Baby, We'll Be Fine" - 3:21
# "Friend of Mine" - 3:25
# "Val Jester" - 3:00
# "All the Wine" - 3:15
# "Abel" - 3:37
# "The Geese of Beverly Road" - 4:57
# "City Middle" - 4:28
# "Mr. November" - 3:57

Bonus Disc

The album was also released with a second disc (and packaged inside a slipcase):
# "The Thrilling of Claire" - 4:32
# "Driver, Surprise Me" - 3:20
# "Lit Up" (Remix) - 3:00
# "Secret Meeting" (Remix) - 3:45
# "The Geese of Beverly Road" (Live) - 4:35
# "Abel" (Enhanced Video)
# "Lit Up" (Enhanced Video)
# "Daughters of the SoHo Riots" (Enhanced Video)

ingles

* "Abel" (March 14, 2005)
** CD single b/w: "Driver, Surprise Me" and "Keep It Upstairs"
** 7" single b/w: "Warm Singing Whores"
* "Secret Meeting" (August 29, 2005)
** Digital download: "Secret Meeting" (Remix) b/w: "The Geese of Beverly Road" (Live)
* "Lit Up" (November 14, 2005)
** CD single: "Lit Up" (Remix) b/w: "You've Done It Again, Virginia"
** Digital download: "Lit Up" (Remix) b/w: "You've Done It Again, Virginia" and "Lit Up" (Parisian Party Version)

Trivia

* The band performed the song "The Geese of Beverly Road" at the wedding of producer Peter Katis. A photo of the band on stage performing, with couples dancing in the foreground, became the album cover for the band's next album "Boxer".