The National

Brooklyn favorites the National have been making music for years, but it wasn't until Alligator -- that the band hit the radar. These literary-minded rock stars shine in the live arena, where vocalist Matt Berninger unwinds his intricate story-songs over a propulsive backbeat. Their 2007 follow-up, Boxer, featured cameos from Sufjan Stevens and catapulted them to both mainstream and critical acclaim. Rhapsody caught up with Berninger and guitarist Aaron Dessner to talk about inspirations and obsessions before their set at the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan.