The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein

After two albums and several busy years of touring, 'First Two Pages of Frankenstein' had initially stalled as lead singer Matt Berninger navigated "a very dark place where I couldn't think of any lyrics or melodies at all...Although we were always anxious when working on a record, this was the first time it felt like things were really coming to an end." Instead, The National "managed to get back together and approach everything from a different angle, and we've entered what feels like a new era for the band," said guitarist/pianist Bryce Dessner, whose bandmates also include his brother Aaron (guitar/piano/bass) and the brothers Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).