hmmmmm, i saw the band 'the national'(i refuse to allow them the privaledge of capital letters) last night at ULU in tropical London and i was taken aback, not literally of course as the place was heaving with excited hype fed indie kids. I had read rave reviews about 'the national' (they will never earn capitals from me!)and they had been recommended me by at least 2 real people (of some social and musical standing, i'll have you know).But when they came on stage my hopes of some cleverly morbid tindersticks type comedy gloom were dashed, as they were just a straight straight U2 crossed with Pulp (i will begrudge them capitals this time, just to smite 'the national' even more)but with only one line in each song. Maybe i missed something, but i doubt it as i am pretty much always right, but they did nothing of any interest or merritt.

One line per song may be a new form of POMO Orwellian condensed language break through, but for me it smacked of laziness and a common ailment with nearly all bands-they just have nothing to say. This expression absense could i feel be expressed just as well in a non song or non band or maybe even by them not being born. I know it's past the legal limit for a mass abortion, but they really sucked!

However, if you secretly liked U2 but were too cool to openly express it and had a passing fondness for Pulp but could not stomach all those difficult words, then this is the band for you!

Steve Lamaque was in attendance, muttering to himself something about a ring, and doing the Golum in general.