Alligator (The National album)

Alligator
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 12, 2005
StudioTarquin Studios; Drummerman Studios; Jess and Ole's House; Headgear Studios
Genre
Length48:00
LabelBeggars Banquet
ProducerPeter Katis and Paul Mahajan
The National chronology
Cherry Tree
(2004)
Alligator
(2005)
Boxer
(2007)
Singles from Alligator
  1. "Abel"
    Released: March 14, 2005
  2. "Secret Meeting"
    Released: August 29, 2005
  3. "Lit Up"
    Released: November 14, 2005

Alligator is the third studio album by American indie rock band the National, released on April 12, 2005 on Beggars Banquet. Recorded and produced by Peter Katis and Paul Mahajan, the album brought The National critical acclaim and increased their fanbase significantly.

The band performed album track "The Geese of Beverly Road" at the wedding of producer Peter Katis. A photo of the band performing on stage, with couples dancing in the foreground, became the cover of the band's next album Boxer.

The band supported Barack Obama's presidential candidacy in 2008. In July of that year, the band designed and sold a T-shirt featuring Obama's image above the words "Mr. November", a reference to both the closing track on the album and the month of the U.S. presidential election. All proceeds were donated to Obama's campaign. The song had been written, in part, about John Kerry's candidacy four years earlier.

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic82/100
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Alternative Press4/5
Entertainment WeeklyA−
Mojo
NME6/10
Pitchfork7.9/10
Q
Rolling Stone
Stylus MagazineA−
Uncut