Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers is the second studio album by indie rock band the National. It was released in 2003 on Brassland Records. This is the first album on which the band worked with Peter Katis, who would produce the band's next albums Alligator and Boxer.
| Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 2, 2003 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:54 | |||
| Label | Brassland | |||
| Producer |
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| The National chronology | ||||
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The album is the first to feature guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bryce Dessner (the twin brother of Aaron Dessner) as a full member.
Reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Alternative Press | 4/5[3] |
| Drowned in Sound | 9/10[4] |
| Pitchfork | 8.4/10[5] |
| Q | [6] |
| Rolling Stone | [7] |
| Uncut | [8] |
The album received very positive reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 78 based on 13 reviews, indicating 'generally positive reviews'.[1]
As of 2010 the album has sold an approximate 27,000 copies in the US.[9] The album was one of three early records that the band reissued remastered versions of in 2021.[10]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by the National
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cardinal Song" | 6:18 |
| 2. | "Slipping Husband" | 3:22 |
| 3. | "90-Mile Water Wall" | 3:44 |
| 4. | "It Never Happened" | 4:37 |
| 5. | "Murder Me Rachael" | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Thirsty" | 3:48 |
| 7. | "Available" | 3:20 |
| 8. | "Sugar Wife" | 2:21 |
| 9. | "Trophy Wife" | 3:32 |
| 10. | "Fashion Coat" | 2:02 |
| 11. | "Patterns of Fairytales" | 3:43 |
| 12. | "Lucky You" | 4:22 |
Personnel
editThe National
Additional musicians
- Padma Newsome – viola, violin
- Nick Lloyd – piano, keyboards
- Luke Hughett – vocals (on "Thirsty")
- Nate Martinez – guitar (on "Cardinal Song")
- Steve LoPresti – French horn, mellophone (on "Sugar Wife")
Technical personnel
- Nick Lloyd – production, additional recording
- Paul Heck – co-production, production (on "Murder Me Rachael")
- Peter Katis – co-production, production (on "Murder Me Rachael"), recording (on "Murder Me Rachael"), engineering (on "Murder Me Rachael"), mixing
- Hugh Pool – basic track recording
- Dan Long – additional recording
- John Loder – mastering
- Padma Newsome – orchestration
- Distant Station – design
Weekly charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[11] | 45 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Reviews for Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers by The National". Metacritic. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ DiGravina, Tim. "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers – The National". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ "The National: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Alternative Press (183): 124. October 2003.
- ^ Anonymous, Adam (November 4, 2003). "Album Review: The National – Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ Stosuy, Brandon (October 14, 2003). "The National: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ "The National: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Q (211): 104. February 2004.
- ^ Kot, Greg (October 30, 2003). "The National: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Rolling Stone (934). Archived from the original on March 5, 2004. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ "The National: Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers". Uncut (79): 133. December 2003.
- ^ Herrera, Monica (April 23, 2010). "The National: Heads Of State". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ^ Andy Von Pip. "Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers (2021 Remaster)". www.undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2021.