The National are an indie-rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. Although they released a self-titled debut album in 2001, they didn't attract much attention until Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers (2003) which received warm praise from critics. Alligator (2005) was something of a breakthrough, garnering several glowing reviews from prominent music websites. Their fourth album, Boxer (2007) did even better, and even earned them a slot performing on the Late Show with David Letterman. At the end of 2007, several magazines and critics named Boxer as one of their favorite albums of the year.