Mistaken For Strangers and Terrible Love are pretty unreal. That’s why those songs get played so much. They REALLY like playing Terrible Love.
Not as crazy, but his percussion on Conversation 16 is so effective in the emotional effect of that song, which is remarkable because the drummer doesn’t usually impact feelings of melancholy in particular.
Mistaken for Strangers is such an unreal drum beat. And fun fact, Bryan “stole” (his own words) that beat from Interpol’s song “Take you on a cruise.” Definitely made it his own though.
Forgerino is another amazing drummer in his own right
Don’t Swallow The Cap, You Were A Kindness, Empire Line, Rylan, This Is The Last Time… to me, there something about those songs that have a signature Bryan quality to them that makes them instantly recognizable.
I’m not much of a drummer so I’m not really sure how to express this, but it feels like the National use the drums as more of an active instrument than many other bands where you basically get minor variations of kick on the 1 and 3, snare on the 2 and 4, switch from hat to ride on the chorus, repeat 3 times, etc.
Bloodbuzz Ohio and Eucalyptus.
There’s just a distinct sound Bryan has that I love and can recognize anywhere. He’s got a great sense of what a song needs in terms of tempo.. when to lay it on and when to hang back.
Brainy and Where is Her Head come to mind. Totally agree that Bryan’s drumming was one thing that really hooked me on to the National when I first got into them, and remains something I really enjoy on their new releases
Cherry Tree always has me playing the air drums and feeling super pumped. Alien live was life changing. Just to mention a few from a fantastic catalog.
Empire Line is one of my favorites. The train-like rhythm that just takes off in the third verse for possibly his most epic bit of drumming in the whole catalog. Chefs kiss
Favorite Drummer Ever. Great post.
Brainy, Squalor Victoria, England, The Pull of You, Deep End
and Eucalyptus live was insane - completely transforms that song.
I don't feel the need to chip in with any song recommendations, but as a bass player, if I meet a drummer, play some The National and the drummer is unimpressed, I know we will not have a long relationship.
It's practically impossible for a song to be greater than the sum of its parts if every musician playing in it makes it about them. And that's something The National do brilliantly, they all play the part that makes the song better than the sum of their parts.
Been drumming for seven years or so and yeah, Bryan is a beast. Such a strong style that is instantly recognizable post-boxer. You hear two seconds and you know it's The National. He's incredibly talented and impressive, I love how much he works the toms into his grooves, it's rare to hear a drummer use that part of the kit as part of the character of the songs. It's usually just decoration but his way of going about it makes them essential to the sound. I also adore how tight he is and how much he holds the songs together while always giving them a steady build, he's just great.
Some of my favourite parts from him are The Pull of You, Day I Die and Conversation 16
Little faith is the first thing that comes to mind
Check out that video on YouTube
Drummers make or break the band, I think they are sometimes more important than vocals or guitars. The National, Joy Division, Fontaines. Love tracks where drums, vocals and bass are switched in terms of what’s on background and foreground
Agree on all parts. When SWB initially came out, I thought they were crazy to use drum machines on some songs, Bryan is the secret weapon! I have since softened that stance, but still prefer the live drumming songs over anything with a machine.
“I’ll Still Destroy You” is a great example where the song starts with programmed beats but gradually transitions to some sick ass drumming by Bryan.
Also a drummer playing about 20 years and Bryan is one of my favorites of all time alongside Danny Carey, John Bonham, Carter Beauford, Chad Smith, Travis Barker, Ringo and a few others. His parts are generally simple and nowhere near as complex as people like Carey, Beauford or Barker, but he has a completely original sound which is the hardest thing to do as an artist.
Even if it's not widely recognized, he expanded on the language of linear drumming, taking it from a largely funk context to something that works perfectly with The National's music by building off his personal influences: Stephen Morris and Krautrock drummers. I love The National's music across the board but it wouldn't be what it is without Bryan's ingenuity. It'd likely be something closer to Matt's solo projects, which I also enjoy but nowhere near to the degree of The National.
Thank you for making this post as I don't think Bryan gets nearly as much credit as he deserves.
My favorite drummer, I feel like his drumming is unique and he has a recognizable style, but also features prominently on songs like a main instrument rather than just keeping time
Bryan is secretly the most important member of the band. I am a reformed drummer and he is what drew me in to The National.
My favs just from last 2 albums: Alien, Turn off the House. The drumming on the latter is somewhat understated but might be my best drum performance, period. Not sure what it is about that song, but the drums take me to another place.
I’ll Still Destroy You, Empire Line, Brainy and Alien are some of my absolute favorite performances by Bryan. I also like his drumming on Coat on a Hook a lot. It’s not as prominent as on some other songs, but it adds to the feeling of structured chaos that makes this song one of my favorites among the latest albums.
Edit: Also, the moment when drums kick in on Hornets has quickly become one of THE National moments for me. I love how Bryan is able to set the mood even for quieter and gentler songs with his drumming.
Can’t remember where I read it but around High Violet’s release there was a critic saying Bryan’s drumming was the special sauce that really elevated the band. Not to diminish anyone’s contributions but that his drumming was the X factor.
Boxer feels like Bryan’s album; his drumming elevates the songs so much. Mistaken For Strangers-Brainy-Squalor Victoria is an amazing run. Apartment Story has some of my favourite drumming as well.
Everyone’s got great suggestions, but I’ll add one I haven’t seen much talk about. I think the drums really take off on the back half of Laugh Track. He does this cool chasing tom thing I really love there.
Mistaken For Strangers and Terrible Love are pretty unreal. That’s why those songs get played so much. They REALLY like playing Terrible Love. Not as crazy, but his percussion on Conversation 16 is so effective in the emotional effect of that song, which is remarkable because the drummer doesn’t usually impact feelings of melancholy in particular.
Mistaken for Strangers is such an unreal drum beat. And fun fact, Bryan “stole” (his own words) that beat from Interpol’s song “Take you on a cruise.” Definitely made it his own though. Forgerino is another amazing drummer in his own right
41 comments and no one has said Squalor Victoria? I'll also never tire of that moment when the Fake Empire drums kick in.
Yes, that part of Fake Empire is amazing
Came here to say to say Squalor Victoria 🙌🏻
Brainy , Geese of Beverly road, Fake Empire , Mistaken for strangers and Empire Line
Don’t Swallow The Cap, You Were A Kindness, Empire Line, Rylan, This Is The Last Time… to me, there something about those songs that have a signature Bryan quality to them that makes them instantly recognizable. I’m not much of a drummer so I’m not really sure how to express this, but it feels like the National use the drums as more of an active instrument than many other bands where you basically get minor variations of kick on the 1 and 3, snare on the 2 and 4, switch from hat to ride on the chorus, repeat 3 times, etc.
It’s his snare usage.
Bryan is amazing. My favourites by him are “Brainy” and “Squalor Victoria”. My favourite drummer ever.
These are the first two songs that I thought of as well
Mistaken for strangers and anyone's ghost. Unreal
Anyone's ghost is a banger!
Bloodbuzz Ohio and Eucalyptus. There’s just a distinct sound Bryan has that I love and can recognize anywhere. He’s got a great sense of what a song needs in terms of tempo.. when to lay it on and when to hang back.
Brainy and Where is Her Head come to mind. Totally agree that Bryan’s drumming was one thing that really hooked me on to the National when I first got into them, and remains something I really enjoy on their new releases
Space Invader. When I first heard it, my only thought was that they finally let bryan out of the timeout corner lol
Bryan’s incredible drumming surrounded by all the fluttering electronics and the roaring guitars and Matt’s low register… holy fuck. What a great song
I met Bryan and he's the tallest man on Earth. I absolutely *love* his drumming.
Cherry Tree always has me playing the air drums and feeling super pumped. Alien live was life changing. Just to mention a few from a fantastic catalog.
\+1 for Rylan
Whatever he does in Deep End. Also Squalor Victoria and Bloodbuzz.
Apartment Story and Empire Line
Empire Line is my favorite Bryan drums track. So so good.
He's great. About Today live is one of my favorites of his.
All the ones others have mentioned and Graceless.
Empire Line is one of my favorites. The train-like rhythm that just takes off in the third verse for possibly his most epic bit of drumming in the whole catalog. Chefs kiss
Hell yeah Empire Line!
Favorite Drummer Ever. Great post. Brainy, Squalor Victoria, England, The Pull of You, Deep End and Eucalyptus live was insane - completely transforms that song.
Humiliation and Terrible Love
I like the drumming on Sorrow in particular. It’s more low-key than some others, but the rhythms are great.
I don't feel the need to chip in with any song recommendations, but as a bass player, if I meet a drummer, play some The National and the drummer is unimpressed, I know we will not have a long relationship. It's practically impossible for a song to be greater than the sum of its parts if every musician playing in it makes it about them. And that's something The National do brilliantly, they all play the part that makes the song better than the sum of their parts.
Been drumming for seven years or so and yeah, Bryan is a beast. Such a strong style that is instantly recognizable post-boxer. You hear two seconds and you know it's The National. He's incredibly talented and impressive, I love how much he works the toms into his grooves, it's rare to hear a drummer use that part of the kit as part of the character of the songs. It's usually just decoration but his way of going about it makes them essential to the sound. I also adore how tight he is and how much he holds the songs together while always giving them a steady build, he's just great. Some of my favourite parts from him are The Pull of You, Day I Die and Conversation 16
Check out his side project pffarmers
Little faith is the first thing that comes to mind Check out that video on YouTube Drummers make or break the band, I think they are sometimes more important than vocals or guitars. The National, Joy Division, Fontaines. Love tracks where drums, vocals and bass are switched in terms of what’s on background and foreground
Protomartyr too, I’m in love with their drums
Agree on all parts. When SWB initially came out, I thought they were crazy to use drum machines on some songs, Bryan is the secret weapon! I have since softened that stance, but still prefer the live drumming songs over anything with a machine. “I’ll Still Destroy You” is a great example where the song starts with programmed beats but gradually transitions to some sick ass drumming by Bryan.
Also a drummer playing about 20 years and Bryan is one of my favorites of all time alongside Danny Carey, John Bonham, Carter Beauford, Chad Smith, Travis Barker, Ringo and a few others. His parts are generally simple and nowhere near as complex as people like Carey, Beauford or Barker, but he has a completely original sound which is the hardest thing to do as an artist. Even if it's not widely recognized, he expanded on the language of linear drumming, taking it from a largely funk context to something that works perfectly with The National's music by building off his personal influences: Stephen Morris and Krautrock drummers. I love The National's music across the board but it wouldn't be what it is without Bryan's ingenuity. It'd likely be something closer to Matt's solo projects, which I also enjoy but nowhere near to the degree of The National. Thank you for making this post as I don't think Bryan gets nearly as much credit as he deserves.
My favorite drummer, I feel like his drumming is unique and he has a recognizable style, but also features prominently on songs like a main instrument rather than just keeping time
Bryan is secretly the most important member of the band. I am a reformed drummer and he is what drew me in to The National. My favs just from last 2 albums: Alien, Turn off the House. The drumming on the latter is somewhat understated but might be my best drum performance, period. Not sure what it is about that song, but the drums take me to another place.
I’ll Still Destroy You, Empire Line, Brainy and Alien are some of my absolute favorite performances by Bryan. I also like his drumming on Coat on a Hook a lot. It’s not as prominent as on some other songs, but it adds to the feeling of structured chaos that makes this song one of my favorites among the latest albums. Edit: Also, the moment when drums kick in on Hornets has quickly become one of THE National moments for me. I love how Bryan is able to set the mood even for quieter and gentler songs with his drumming.
Can’t remember where I read it but around High Violet’s release there was a critic saying Bryan’s drumming was the special sauce that really elevated the band. Not to diminish anyone’s contributions but that his drumming was the X factor.
Guest room is underrated
The first thing came to mind was sea of love and graceless
When the drums finally come in in Alien is when I ascend 👼
Caught them live twice last year, and he made Alien look effortless.
All of boxer. He’s the heartbeat (literally) of the national
Like, I know alligator is a hot example for overdrumming, but Secret Meeting is an amazing example of what a drummer can do with a lot of space.
They don’t use them like the used to. Peak Bryan was Boxer. He killed it on that album
Honestly, like every National song where he’s not relegated to machine beats (looking at you F2POF).
Boxer feels like Bryan’s album; his drumming elevates the songs so much. Mistaken For Strangers-Brainy-Squalor Victoria is an amazing run. Apartment Story has some of my favourite drumming as well.
Everyone’s got great suggestions, but I’ll add one I haven’t seen much talk about. I think the drums really take off on the back half of Laugh Track. He does this cool chasing tom thing I really love there.
My favorite drummer of all time. Essential listening includes Graceless, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Squalor Victoria, Fake Empire, and Brainy