The National Reveal Fifth LP Due In May, World Tour Dates

Indie rock band The National, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, have become one of the most beloved independent artists in the world since they formed in 1999. Fans who have followed the group from the beginning have seen them steadily develop stronger musicianship and tighter live shows and leader Matt Berninger deliver sharper lyrics and expand his vocals. As they head toward the release of their fifth full-length album announced to drop this May via 4AD, everything points to their progression going even further. This is a monstrous task considering their last two records, 2005's Alligator and 2007's Boxer, were rated among the best albums of each year and topped several lists.

Local fans will remember that the band played a free Obama rally in 2008 at Cincinnati's Fountain Square with the Breeders and sold t-shirts with an Obama headshot above the title of one of the band's signature songs, "Mr. November". While no tour dates have been announced for Ohio yet, we can only hope one of the best bands making music this century will grace us with their enormous presence. And we'll be there to see it happen. See the band performing "Blood Buzz Ohio", one of the tracks rumored to be on the new record, below.



Here are their tour dates for 2010 so far including a stop with Pavement in Paris...

03-26-28-2010 / Tennessee Theatre (Big Ears Festival) @ Knoxville, TN
04-22-2010 / The National @ Richmond, VA
04-23-2010 / The National @ Richmond, VA
05-06-2010 / Royal Albert Hall @ London, England
05-07-2010 / Le Zenith @ Paris, France (with Pavement)
05-09-2010 / Astra @ Berlin, Germany
05-22-2010 / The Wiltern @ Los Angeles, CA (with Ramona Falls)
05-23-2010 / Spreckels Theatre @ San Diego, CA (with Ramona Falls)
05-27-2010 / Fox Theatre @ Oakland, CA (with Ramona Falls)
06-02-2010 / House of Blues @ Boston, MA
06-05-2010 / Electric Factory @ Philadelphia, PA
06-06-2010 / DAR Constitution Hall @ Washington, DC
06-08-2010 / Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall
06-16-2010 / Radio City Music Hall @ New York, NY