Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers is the second studio album by indie rock band the National. It was released in 2003 on Brassland Records. This is the first album on which the band worked with Peter Katis, who would produce the band's next albums Alligator and Boxer.

The album is the first to feature guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bryce Dessner (the twin brother of Aaron Dessner) as a full member.

Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers

Reception

The album received very positive reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 78 based on 13 reviews, indicating 'generally positive reviews'.

Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers

As of 2010 the album has sold an approximate 27,000 copies in the US. The album was one of three early records that the band reissued remastered versions of in 2021.

Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers

Track listing

Personnel

The National

Matt Berninger

Aaron Dessner

Bryce Dessner

Bryan Devendorf

Scott Devendorf

Additional musicians

Padma Newsome – viola, violin

Nick Lloyd – piano, keyboards

Luke Hughett – vocals

Nate Martinez – guitar

Steve LoPresti – French horn, mellophone

Technical personnel

Nick Lloyd – production, additional recording

Paul Heck – co-production, production

Peter Katis – co-production, production , recording , engineering , mixing

Hugh Pool – basic track recording

Dan Long – additional recording

John Loder – mastering

Padma Newsome – orchestration

Distant Station – design

Weekly charts

References

2003 albums

The National (band) albums

Albums produced by Peter Katis

Brassland Records albums