Artist page · 06/07/2026

The National

BrooklynFormed in 1999Alternatif14 vinyl albums
Formed in Brooklyn in 1999, The National merges alt-rock, indie, and chamber pop with emotionally resonant songwriting and atmospheric arrangements.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
14Albums on Vinyles.com
2232Discogs releases
2.5MLast.fm listeners

About

14 vinyl releases tracked with detailed pressings; prized LPs like 'High Violet' and 'Boxer' offer rich textured sound.

The National emerged from Brooklyn as a US indie rock band with strong Americana and chamber pop influences. This core quintet, fronted by Matt Berninger and the Dessner and Devendorf brothers, has developed a catalog focused on introspective lyrics and nuanced instrumental work. Since 1999, their releases span initial self-titled LPs through to recent albums emphasizing layered textures and mood-driven soundscapes.

The catalog on vinyl is extensive and varied, covering early works like "Alligator" (2005) up to the upcoming "Rome" 2024 LP. Their sound incorporates wistful baritone vocals, complex arrangements, and thematic depth, making their vinyl editions sought after by collectors for both audio quality and artistic value.

Discography

The National discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Rome4AD · 2024
2024
Rome
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
First Two Pages Of Frankenstein4AD · 2023
2023
First Two Pages Of Frankenstein
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Laugh Track4AD · 2023
2023
Laugh Track
File, AAC, Album
Studio
Juicy Sonic Magic4AD · 2019
2019
Juicy Sonic Magic
Cassette, Album, Record Store Day
Studio
I Am Easy To Find4AD · 2019
2019
I Am Easy To Find
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Boxer (Live In Brussels)4AD · 2018
2018
Boxer (Live In Brussels)
CD, Album
Live
Sleep Well Beast4AD · 2017
2017
Sleep Well Beast
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
Trouble Will Find Me4AD · 2013
2013
Trouble Will Find Me
CD, Album
Studio
High Violet4AD · 2010
2010
High Violet
CD, Album
Studio
BoxerBeggars Banquet · 2007
2007
Boxer
CD, Album
Studio
AlligatorBeggars Banquet · 2005
2005
Alligator
CD, Album
Studio
Sad Songs For Dirty LoversBrassland · 2003
2003
Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
CD, Album
Studio
The NationalBrassland · 2001
2001
The National
CD, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up The National's career.

01
Fake Empire
Fake Empire
Rome · 2024
02
Bloodbuzz Ohio
Bloodbuzz Ohio
Rome · 2024
03
I Need My Girl
I Need My Girl
Trouble Will Find Me · 2013
04
Mistaken for Strangers
·
05
Slow Show
·
06
Sorrow
·
07
Terrible Love
Terrible Love
Rome · 2024
08
Start a War
·

The essentials

The 3 The National albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2005
Vinyl LP
Alligator

Third studio album that marked growing public enthusiasm with standout tracks like "Karen" and "Secret Meeting."

12 tracksBeggars Banquet labelOriginal 2005 pressing
Discover the album
#2 · 2007
Vinyl LP
Boxer

Fourth album featuring contributions from Sufjan Stevens, solidifying their indie rock status internationally.

12 tracksBeggars Banquet labelProduced by Peter Katis
Discover the album
#3 · 2010
Vinyl LP
High Violet

Fifth album largely recorded in Brooklyn studios, noted for the single "Terrible Love," showcasing refined indie rock.

13 tracks4AD labelIncludes 'Terrible Love'
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to The National

Artists who share part of The National's musical DNA.

Matt Berninger
EL VY
Frightened Rabbit
The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs
Arcade Fire
The Walkmen
Death Cab for Cutie
Editors
Editors

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of The National

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

The band mixes rock, Americana, and chamber pop with a unique baritone vocal style.
— Music analysis
01Recording Studio

High Violet recorded in Brooklyn and Connecticut

The album "High Violet" was tracked in the band's own Brooklyn studios and producer Peter Katis' Connecticut studio, blending local and external production influences in 2010.

2010Brooklyn / Connecticut
02Producer

Peter Katis produced Boxer

The 2007 album "Boxer" was produced by Peter Katis, who had previously worked with the band and is known for his work with Interpol.

2007USA
03Band Formation

Formation in Brooklyn with Berninger and the Dessner and Devendorf brothers

The National was formed by Matt Berninger, brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner, and brothers Scott and Bryan Devendorf in Brooklyn in 1999, combining familial ties and musical collaboration.

1999Brooklyn
04Tour

Noted live performance at Zénith de Paris in 2010

On May 7, 2010, The National performed at the Zénith de Paris, opening for Pavement during their reunion tour, gaining European recognition.

2010Paris

Records by The National

See all
ROME - Front Cover

ROME

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $32.46 2 offers
LAUGH TRACK - Front Cover

LAUGH TRACK

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $34.99 3 offers
FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN - Front Cover

FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $17.99 2 offers
CHERRY TREE EP - RÉÉDITION - Front Cover CHERRY TREE EP - RÉÉDITION - Back Cover

CHERRY TREE EP - RÉÉDITION

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $24.95 1 offer
SAD SONGS FOR DIRTY LOVERS - RÉÉDITION - Front Cover SAD SONGS FOR DIRTY LOVERS - RÉÉDITION - Back Cover

SAD SONGS FOR DIRTY LOVERS - RÉÉDITION

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $19.99 2 offers
THE NATIONAL - RÉÉDITION - Front Cover THE NATIONAL - RÉÉDITION - Back Cover

THE NATIONAL - RÉÉDITION

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $14.96 1 offer
I AM EASY TO FIND DELUXE - Front Cover

I AM EASY TO FIND DELUXE

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $30.68 1 offer
I AM EASY TO FIND - Front Cover

I AM EASY TO FIND

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $20.00 1 offer
SLEEP WELL BEAST - DOUBLE VINYLE BLANC - Front Cover

SLEEP WELL BEAST - Double White Vinyl

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $22.00 1 offer
HIGH VIOLET - Front Cover

HIGH VIOLET

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $31.99 2 offers
THE VIRGINIA - Front Cover

THE VIRGINIA

The National
Indie rock Alternative
BEGGARS BANQUET
From $25.99 1 offer
ALLIGATOR - Front Cover

ALLIGATOR

The National
Indie rock Alternative
BEGGARS
From $24.99 3 offers
TROUBLE WILL FIND ME - Front Cover TROUBLE WILL FIND ME - Front Cover

TROUBLE WILL FIND ME

The National
Indie rock Alternative
4AD
From $31.99 1 offer
BOXER - Front Cover

BOXER

The National
Indie rock Alternative
BEGGARS BANQUET
From $30.68 1 offer

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What year was The National formed?

The National was formed in 1999 in Brooklyn, New York.

Which genres does The National's music belong to?

The National's music spans alternative rock, indie rock, americana, and chamber pop.

What are some essential vinyl albums by The National?

Key vinyl albums include 'Alligator' (2005), 'Boxer' (2007), and 'High Violet' (2010).

What vinyl formats has The National released?

The National's vinyl releases include LPs mostly, with limited editions and deluxe variants in some cases.

Where was 'High Violet' recorded?

'High Violet' was recorded in Brooklyn, NY, and Peter Katis' studio in Connecticut.

Are there rare or limited edition National vinyls?

Yes, releases such as 'First Two Pages Of Frankenstein' (2023) are available in limited edition LP formats.

How popular is The National in France?

The National has a solid fanbase in France, with notable performances including a 2010 concert at the Zénith de Paris.

Where can I find the best prices for The National vinyls?

Prices vary by release and condition; comparing sellers on dedicated vinyl platforms can help find competitive offers.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 06/07/2026