which came first?

The Chicken ... No, The Egg ... No, The Chicken ... No ... I think The Walls single came out Mid 2004.

Yeah, I think the walls song came first alright.

the national ripping off the walls? in their dreams, my friends, in their dreams . the walls couldnt write a song like "Lit Up" or an album like "Alligator" in a million years. well, if they spent more time working rather than moaning about been overlooked for the Meteor Awards and Choice Awards, they might come within an ass's roar.

I like Alligator. What's their earlier stuff like?

it's better - you can check it out on www.americanmary.com - there are a few free mp3s there.

Their earlier stuff is better...cool.. im off to buy some over lunch so. Ive really gotten into alligator over the last fwe weeks..and dont worry, i wasnt insinuating that they were ripping the walls off..just that they sounded similar...

I wouldn't say that it's better but it is excellent. I've spent the last 2 weeks listening to "Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers" in the kitchen (for some reason that 4th "dear we better get a drink in you before you start to bore us" is just about the most thilling piece of music I've ever heard, so incredibly visceral), and "The National" in the car. The "Cherry Tree" EP is a bit on the dear side in Tower but has 2 great songs in "Wasps Nest" and "About Today". Good interview with Matt Berringer on Pitchfork this week.

Aligator is awesome , and thanks I must check out some of the older stuff if its better ! :-D

Here's the interview link: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/interviews/n/national-06/ Anyone notice some scary Aphex Twin stuff in the photograph? Look at the brothers!