To Joe from Dayton:

Why would listen to Nickelback? They're garbage too. No musicianship. Just noise. Anyway, I like John Shaefer as a host, and he's let me on as a call-in twice now. He's a good guy, but what I wonder if even HE really likes the stuff that's booked on his show. We have some bands here in Staten Island that are unsigned, but much better than the National.

If you don't like it Frank, then stop listening to John S. and go buy a Nickelback cd..

Wow, a few people with really strong negative feelings about this band.

I've been getting more into this band every month since I was turned onto them a year ago. Got to love a band that elicits this kind of passion; positive and negative. I bet the people enjoying them will grow faster than the haters.

Listening to The National here was really such a gorgeous experience. Thank you!

Thank you, Ed from Brooklyn!!

It is amusing to hear so many people in the audience cheering wildly for a band that sounds depressing and off-key. And the "classical-hip/hop guy was no bargain either. Hey, just because The National opened for R.E.M. doesn't mean they're THAT great. I am sure by time R.E.M. hit the stage with their first recognizable song, the audience quickly forgot about The National.

How many times have you gone to a show and you had to sit through the opening group that you never cared about anyway? And it was torture as well? I saw groups open for P. Gabriel and the Who, and both openers were awful.

So this is what John S. is giving us to what music is considered cutting edge today. I wished he would stop this indie stuff, and play bands that have songs with good choruses. I keep asking for progressive rock, too.

Great performance. The guys sounded great as always. Cannot wait to pick up the new record.

What a dreadful sound. Very painful. "Moody baritone"? Sounds like you're try to be polite.