The National became one of the most celebrated indie rock bands of the 2000s,
after critical acclaim with records like 2005's Alligator before reaching the
Top 10 for the first time with High Violet. The band formed in 1999 in
Cincinnati, Ohio, and released a self-titled debut album two years later. The
National collaborated with producers Paul Heck and Peter Katis on the band's
second album, 2003's Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, and reprised that partnership
with 2005's Alligator. Full of sweeping anthems, Alligator earned comparisons to
artists like Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. The ...