best albums of 2007: 4. the national

4. The National - Boxer
Less concerned with hope and more with the passions is this incredibly solid album by Brooklyn’s The National. More controlled and measured than any of the outburst-prone bands above, this band, and especially their incredible drummer, delivers a grounded, driving and not just sexy, but actually sex-y set of songs that are as stadium-ready as those of the Fire’s. As with the Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan, the steady, low voice of their lead-singer works its mojo best on Boxer’s slower tracks, like “Slow Show” and “Start A War” (also check out their Daytrotter session, it includes a cover of the Psychedelic Furs’ “Pretty in Pink”).