Wednesday, Stereogum released their list of the 10 best songs by The National, my favorite band and arguably one of the most critically-acclaimed outfits working today. I've been listening to the National since the middle of 2007, shortly after they released "Boxer," and have spent hours and hours and hours listening to their catalog over the years. I love them. They are tremendous.
What's cool about liking so much of a band's catalog - and seeing it as accessible to a fairly-sized audience - is that you operate under the impression that a top 10 list of their songs could vary wildly from person to person and still make complete sense. This is why it's completely expected and natural for me to think that Stereogum's list just isn't right.
So here's my own top 15, which is not without painful omissions of its own, and breaking my usual no-caps list style because I feel like it.
As with every National song, pay close attention to the lyrics. They're a huge part of what makes these songs so great.
15. Santa Clara
14. Available
13. All the Wine
12. Abel
11. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
10. Baby We'll Be Fine
9. Fake Empire
8. Sorrow
7. Apartment Story
6. Lit Up
5. Secret Meeting
4. Bloodbuzz Ohio
3. Mistaken For Strangers
2. Brainy
1. Mr. November
