The National A Skin, A Night + The Virginia EP

It’s safe to say that the National are not the Rolling Stones, and A Skin, A Night is certainly not Cocksucker Blues. While it’s at least twice as long as it should be, and borders on pretentious thanks to director Vincent Moon’s constant reliance on building drama with dead silence and background noise, this documentary on the Brooklyn-based band works as a flattering companion piece to last year’s brilliant Boxer. Comprised of studio footage from that album’s recording sessions, live performances and conversations with band members, it’s a fan’s backstage pass to witness the National at work. Singer Matt Berninger figures out his lyrics and the band wait nervously to make their big entrance, but the film would have benefited from more straight concert footage in the place of droning subway car art shots. The accompanying 12-song EP, The Virginia, though, is what will help sell this release, with 50 minutes of material most fans have never heard. Lead track "You’ve Done It Again, Virginia,” featuring Sufjan Stevens, rightfully earns highlight status, brooding like their best songs do, but with banjo and subdued horns adding warm textures. Recommended for the EP alone, but the doc is sure to satisfy anyone interested in learning more about this diffident but great band. (Beggars Banquet)

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