LogFAQs > #954718330

192. The National Fake Empire (2007)
from the album Boxer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuZ4Zm3QcZk

Key lyrics:
Turn the light out, say goodnight
No thinking for a little while

There is something about Fake Empire I find strangely comforting. Matt Berningers voice is deeply soothing when used in the right way, and this might be The Nationals warmest song. Thats not to say Fake Empire is light in fact, quite the opposite. This is a song about finding comfort in a failing world, an idea reinforced by the peaceful music. The National are explicitly offering up this song as an escape, which in turn suggests the situation at hand is hopeless. We cant make it through this, Berninger seems to suggest, but at least we can pretend.

But what truly impresses be about Fake Empire is the way it builds. The song begins with a piano in an unusual time signature, sparse instrumentation backing Berningers voice. After the second verse, the other instruments subtly join in, only for the drums to go rocketing off with the third verse. Suddenly, this quiet song has a propulsive force. Not happy to stop there, the song descends into a chaotic horn section. Through all these changes, Fake Empire never loses its core sound or warmth. While most songs by The National have a signature sound, these little nuances ensure nothing comes across as too similar. Fake Empire stands tall by maintaining an uncharacteristically soothing atmosphere for rock as a whole.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/