Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
# Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers

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.

## Reception

Professional ratings :

| Aggregate scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 78/100 |
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Alternative Press | 4/5 |
| Drowned in Sound | 9/10 |
| Pitchfork | 8.4/10 |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Uncut | |

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

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.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by the National.

## 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 (on "Thirsty")
* Nate Martinez – guitar (on "Cardinal Song")
* Steve LoPresti – French horn, mellophone (on "Sugar Wife")

Technical personnel

* Nick Lloyd – production, additional recording
* Paul Heck – co-production, production (on "Murder Me Rachael")
* Peter Katis – co-production, production (on "Murder Me Rachael"), recording (on "Murder Me Rachael"), engineering (on "Murder Me Rachael"), mixing
* Hugh Pool – basic track recording
* Dan Long – additional recording
* John Loder – mastering
* Padma Newsome – orchestration
* Distant Station – design

## Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers :

| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 45 |
