In keeping with the back-to-basics theme, The National reunites with longtime collaborator Peter Katis. Kaitis polished favorite albums such as Boxer and High Violetbut has been largely absent since 2023 The first two pages of Frankenstein and A piece of laughter in favor of fellow countryman Aaron Dessner's Long Pond Jonathan Low (Taylor Swift Folklore and Forever). Brian King of Japandroids opined that Katis' National records are often mixed like hip-hop, with drums and vocals taking precedence, and this has never been more true than Rome. Devendorf's drums overwhelm the rest of the band in the mix, as if Katis and company are overcompensating for years of synth dominance. The guitars are not just texture but an active part of the band, giving weight Frankenstein highlights 'Tropic Morning News' and the already energetic 'Alien'. Every song is so maxed out that some of the newer, quieter tracks suffer slightly: “New Order T-Shirt,” a charming '90s tribute to grown-ups Frankensteinit feels inappropriately epic.
The success of a given performance falls to Berninger, however, and his vocals are woefully inconsistent throughout. His baritone has become more nasal instead of deeper like his inspirations, sacrificing some of the gravitas. The “ahs” in the bridge of “Humiliation” sound flat, not only in tone but also in emotion. the audience sounds more in tune than on 'I Need My Girl'. When Berninger walks audibly into the crowd, it's fun to imagine his absurdly long mic cord and Matt Wrangler trailing behind—but to those unfamiliar with the stage, it's just as likely to sound like he's out of breath that he doesn't. has the keys. His looseness can hinder the band in concert the same way Aaron Dessner's slickness does in the studio, and this recording won't convince anyone not already used to Berninger's antics.
RomeHis more intimate choices only underscore the improbability this band to get this away. Cynical, misanthropic lyrics from Sad songs for dirty lovers like 'You could be a legend/But you became a father', from 'Slipping Husband' (not present here, but also played on tour) feels strange coming from someone who has seemingly managed both in the intervening years. Angst never matched National the way emotion did, so it's terrifying to hear them emerge Sad SongsThe dark, cryptic “Murder Me Rachael” after they've gotten over it. Alligator The track “Lit Up” satirically imagines the band as a ephemeral hype act with a gun-toting bodyguard, but it's not the same from the group who co-wrote a song about their tour manager. These selections are reminders of a darkness that has largely cast the band: You don't write, “It's an ordinary fetish for a man in love/On the ballerina on the coffee table, cock in hand” thinking you'll one day sell out Madison Garden Square.