Boxer
by The National
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 348 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 313 out of 348
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 348
  3. Negative: 21 out of 348

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ShaunB
    Jun 12, 2007
    5
    Some decent songs here and there but none of them are really great, not memorable. I still don't know how this has an 85 on metacritic, considering there's been better albums that have come out in 07 that deserve that kind of grade (Of Montreal, Feist, Field Music, Andrew Bird, to name a few).
  2. GillG
    May 23, 2007
    6
    Nothing great, but some decent tracks to to check out. The lead singer has a very strong, confident voice but other than that there's nothing that really blows me away, it's just alright. I recommend other better NY bands like Interpol and TV on the Radio who are amazing. Anyway, a 6 from me.
  3. Lucky
    Jun 12, 2007
    4
    Not my kind of album, I find it very boring. The lead singer is trying way to hard to sound like Bob Dylan and he's not good enough to sing like him.
  4. CharlieP.
    Jul 22, 2007
    6
    This album has to be the most overrated album of the year. It's boring. boring and more boring. monotony is not music people.
  5. booms.
    Oct 18, 2007
    6
    i was blown away initially by this release - on subsequent listens i find myself getting more uninterested and bored of this album. Some great songs dispersed amongst filler
  6. Busted...
    May 23, 2007
    6
    No matter how well produced, this record lacks originality. All the sounds combine to produce a band that has nothing to offer.
  7. Roco
    May 23, 2007
    5
    Average, nothing spectacular. Doesn't deserve such a high rating on this website.
  8. toddw
    May 24, 2007
    4
    I saw these guys at the Pitchfork Music Festival last summer, and just as quickly turned away to visit the recycled music tent and the bad art kiosks. And now you tell me that the Sally Field of rock, Sufjan Stevens, is somehow connected to this effort? Jeez, I guess I'm going to have to rethink my initial impulse and double-quick time it past the "N" section of the local mass music I saw these guys at the Pitchfork Music Festival last summer, and just as quickly turned away to visit the recycled music tent and the bad art kiosks. And now you tell me that the Sally Field of rock, Sufjan Stevens, is somehow connected to this effort? Jeez, I guess I'm going to have to rethink my initial impulse and double-quick time it past the "N" section of the local mass music store. Another group whose music is fine, I guess, but nothing that I'll give a second spin to or remember in a year's time.… Expand
  9. BrianA.
    Jul 14, 2007
    6
    Just not as intense as the previous release
  10. DylanS
    May 27, 2007
    4
    'Meh', defines my feeling for this CD, another disc by The National that's poorly crafted and overrated. It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it sure doesnt promote cheery memories.
  11. ChrisK
    Sep 11, 2007
    4
    Their previous album: Alligator was the band's pinnacle. I found the album quite monotonous. Definitely over-rated, and a step back if you know their earlier work.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Album of 2007
15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2007
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Hartford Courant
    70
    The National hews too closely to established formula on "Boxer," content to revisit previously explored territory without expanding its sound.
    Read full review
  2. Paste Magazine
    60
    Here, most gestures remain a bit too consciously panoramic—elegant enough for comfort but often not chancy enough to be breathtaking.
    Read full review
  3. Playlouder
    60
    A patchy, flawed effort.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »