Songs that started it all: The National, Apartment Story

If there was one band that could sum up my early twenties it's The National. The song that made that possible was Apartment Story. In many ways Apartment Story is a typical song from The National: Matt Bernniger's typical warm baritone, simple but profound lyrics delivered in a laconic mood that seeps into your head like syrup into pancakes. The music is made up of driving rhythms from very rarely breaking the tempo of the drums, or guitar but it always feels like it's barrelling toward a moment of empathy, acceptance, and wry humour.

 The National have better songs than Apartment Story, in the years since its release the band have enjoyed more success with songs that have become more complex with better musicianship and equally cryptic lyrics. Yet for me Apartment Story stands together with the bands best work, and will always be the song that brings me back to them.