The Walkmen: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

The Walkmen's wiry, weary, seething rock 'n' roll has mellowed in recent years, as vein-bulging hollers have given way to a richer, more gently paced and layered sound. But it's still not exactly the stuff of campfire crooning: We'd spent the days leading up to this Tiny Desk Concert in the NPR Music offices wondering how on earth The Walkmen would downsize these songs behind Bob Boilen's desk. For one thing, Hamilton Leithauser sings with such intensity that it'd be hard to dial down the instrumentation too much - you'd never hear it.
Leithauser may wield an acoustic guitar in these three songs, but this is no awkward attempt to shoehorn booming rock anthems into meek arrangements that don't suit them. From the opening notes of "Heaven," the magnificently stirring title track of The Walkmen's recent seventh album, it became clear that these guys were making the Tiny Desk accommodate their sound rather than the other way around. Leithauser's voice soared far down the hallways at various points in all three of these songs from Heaven - "Remember, rememmmmmmmber, all we fight for!" "It's been soooooooooooooo long!" "Love is luuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" - lending them grit and grace, not to mention hair-raising intensity that feels a little jarring coming from a bunch of guys in crisp button-up shirts.
Set List:
• "Heaven"
• "We Can't Be Beat"
• "Love Is Luck"
Credits:
Producer and Editor: Bob Boilen; Videographers: Becky Lettenberger, Nick Michael and Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; photo by Blake Lipthratt/NPR

[@EmmaRoydsared]

It's a crime these guys never made it big. And so sadly missed. Much love from the UK.

[@willis8765]

Your taste is absolutely impeccable

[@willis8765]

That sounded slightly sarcastic I promise it wasn’t😂😂

[@brianeharmonjr]

Definitely check out Hamilton Leithauser's solo stuff if you haven't

[@mikadoescontent]

well my friend i have good news for you

[@rikkcampos6]

@@mikadoescontent ohhh babbbby

[@Karltron2000]

Got here by looking at what the least watched Tiny Desk concert was and even the least watched one is a gem. These guys deserve more attention.

[@andrewcattini1151]

Love his voice. Discovered them on release of The Rat, which totally blew me away. Heaven and Heartbreaker are absolute classics. Also love his solo cover of Mr Tambourine Man.

[@dnlvrlls]

7 years later and this is still one of my favorite Tiny Desk Concerts, miss these guys, I can only wonder what songs they still have to release, hopefully we will see then again some day

[@donkeybus]

They are baaaaaaaack!!!

[@IsssaKnife]

@@donkeybus and they are great as ever! saw them over the weekend

[@dylpano23]

could listen to this man sing all day

[@Ben_Mdws]

Saw Hamilton L supporting Spoon at a London gig a couple of years back. He sang the whole set A Capella. It was f’ing amazing.

[@burnlastsunday]

Dream show.

[@ryanpetti7452]

Just saw theses guys in Chicago in may. Thanks for the reunion we never thought it would happen! So much talent and im grateful to have experienced them in the flesh

[@jjj7054]

I was at one of their chicago shows too, incredible performance.

[@TheAgatabb]

Such a sublime experience their music is.

[@WCWfanboy]

Hell yeah Agata B!

[@Sebastiannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

This version of 'We can't be beat' sounds amazing !

[@matthewarcher7398]

I have seen so many bands live I stumbled upon the Walkmen at a festival in the earlish 2000’s and I can say without a doubt the singer of this band was one of the most amazing singers I have ever seen live. He projected amazingly and such a sweet clean tone. Not sure if that’s how he sounded always live (I only saw them live one other time and he was good) but that one time at the festival it blew my mind. Like he could’ve been on American idol or something.

[@davidmiranda7937]

I've seen them ten million times and yes Hamilton always sings his heart out.

[@sirfredrickeggenhauser2795]

Ugh my favorite band that i discovered too late! ! :'''(

[@LeeEvansIsAwesome]

Hamilton Leithauser is still making music that sounds similar, and they're just on an amicable hiatus doing other things. I'm sure they'll be back.

[@chinaphone]

Never too late to discover a great band. They're so good.

[@sirfredrickeggenhauser2795]

Lee Evans true, I actually have a whole playlist of Hamilton Leithauser, he’s great!

[@gcam420]

It’s ok atleast you didn’t just discover them like me

[@nustyiv616]

Too*

[@jasso.183]

@00:00 Heaven @04:40 We Can't Be Beat @09:41 Love Is Luck Also, update : The Walkmen are back together!!!!! So we can all enjoy them live again 😌✨️

[@camarillomorelosclaraisabe3253]

They are incredible, they are admirable, I found in them a pleasure and a magic that makes life beautiful. They make life a little bit lighter, their songs are like the beauty you find in the sky, in the flowers, in the peace I am very grateful to have found them

[@willis8765]

Everyone watching this video has good taste I’m blown away people of culture yo😭

[@matheusrogerio7185]

every night I put this to listen till I get sleep, it brings me peace, tnks the walkmen

[@AnassEljondy]

I came across this just by chance, and I gotta say WOAAAH!!!!

[@albuzz8]

nice to see Andy Bernard finally got his big break

[@burnlastsunday]

All he needed was instruments!

[@matheusrogerio7185]

KKKKKSKKSSKSKSKSKSKKKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKKSKSKKSSKSKSKSKS MAAAANN THIS GOT ME HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHHAAHAAHAHHHAHHHAHAA

[@EmB7CG]

I hope things turned around after posting this comment, you are the perfect combination of quantum matter to be occupying the amount of space that you are currently displacing in this exact moment in time - the universe wouldn't be the same without you, thank you for existing!

[@slinkisking]

every time get the chills when i listen to heaven because it gives me flashbacks to HIMYM

[@matheusrogerio7185]

YESSSSSS

[@indiecalms]

These guys have such a classic sound! This is music I will be proud to share with my daughter as she grows up.

[@ivan_alexander11]

that black fender jaguar with matching head stock 🔥

[@sejoguelmi947]

Se escucha demasiado precioso está interpretación...! Lo que trasmite Hamilton cuando canta es increíble..!

[@erjondividi5303]

their music is so much rock and folk together!

[@kazimierzgarshin3924]

They definitely listened to the Feelies the Good Earth. Love their sound.

[@paupau2488]

Siento mucha nostalgia con la primera canción........ Un nudo en la garganta

[@commanderstargazer686]

Powerful voice

[@happy.holiday.1905]

This make me happy and sad at the same time. Love The Walkmen!! "We can't be beat" is the best song I've ever heard. What a journey.

[@5k33k]

Since I couldn't find it anywhere else, here's who is performing Hamilton Leithauser - Vocals/Guitar Matt Barrick - Percussion Paul Maroon - Guitar Walter Martin - Bass

[@strangeandforeignca]

Such an underrated band

[@alexleahy2398]

Bob Boilen, you have the greatest job in the world. I envy you so very much. This is my dream right here.

[@davidbowra4389]

I've been listening to The Walkmen alot lately. I can't find a song I don't like from them. Sorry I never caught them live.

[@1917VIL]

Mid 2000's...trip from San Diego to LA w/ my girlfriend. Randomly went to the Queen Mary to see some music. Suddenly, this band is playing "thinking of a dream I had..." Loved them ever since! The Casbah in S.D. and the Belly Up in Solana Beach were both wonderful to witness.

[@bengalatiger]

@@1917VIL Belly Up! The best venue!!!

[@jacksmith-ks3pz]

You really missed out. They are all still very active. Im guessing there will be another tour at some point down the line. To my knowledge they are just on an “indefinite hiatus.” We can all hope🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@BOGLEYKID]

He sounds just like he does on the album here.

[@rayargyle8788]

holds up wonderfully

[@jessicap9491]

I love their sound, its simple and plain but very beautiful. :)

[@davidmancero]

wow that song really touching my heart...

[@ApriliaRacer14]

The guys are brilliant! Just heard them....been under a rock myself.

[@volrath45]

Thanks, can't un-see it now.

[@Ben_Mdws]

What a band.

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

Oh Yes

[@TheZicky94]

His vibrato is beautiful.

[@GabrielCervi]

Jesus, its only one mic recording everything?? Fantastic sound quality!! I'm amazed!!

[@matheusrogerio7185]

8 years, have you ever come back here?

[@TonicLime1]

'05 best show ever...The WALKMEN.

[@EmB7CG]

I like that you defend what you care about, thats noble. Despite the group concensus according to the comments, I know you're a good person.

[@thenoid1093]

Best live band ever...when they were in horn phase they came to Cleveland with no horn section and just plucked some local guys. The background horns were magical

[@dissenttime]

wow, fantastic recording. The room yielded some nice sounds.

[@robpallot5058]

Great band. Great songs. However, sadly, not their best performances here... But, I'll definitely keep followin' them, cause when they hit it, they really hit it!

[@EmB7CG]

I didn't understand how to read that at first glance but I get it now! You taught me to persevere, I like that about you.

[@LeoNoorValdez]

Heaven is just heaven!

[@MoisesSoareseel]

Walkmen is soooo Cool Very nice Tiny Desk, NPR.

[@ryankgrant]

lovely

[@kylemorrison82]

Fantastic.

[@Teona.aka.Maria.Tureschi]

Very beautiful music ! Thanks.

[@matsslowlander1398]

Incredibly good

[@tomtenthij5676]

🎶"stick with me, Ooh you're my best friend" 🎶

[@moiandthensomexx]

Incredible!

[@SuperNuela]

i love this channel and i love this band

[@dtomenchok]

Love this and love the walkmen!

[@EmB7CG]

You posted something positive!!!!!!!! Now, i'm amazed!

[@tokihidemasuyama8667]

reached here via stumbleupon. good music!!

[@EnggistKhan]

Might be cuz I’ve been drinking on a Oslo layover .. but this might be the best thing ever

[@charliemorgan1366]

Didn't expect to find such a recent comment lol. Best band ever!

[@dangallenti5037]

Hamilton is a powerhouse.

[@escoladebelasartespedroser8784]

On this reunion tour, why don't you come to Lisbon? Since you love our city so much! I miss seeing you live!

[@irekttv7742]

3:00 Nard Dog?

[@lemsefferzineb9628]

iRektTV YES !!!

[@ssingh2985]

Yes!!! I'm not alone in the world

[@chrisd7046]

Reunite! Please!

[@j0rge1000]

This band is very underrated.

[@Puflitoxer]

Una gran banda :(((

[@MartinColunga]

Estupendo

[@SuperNuela]

i love you too!

[@jdlunge8745]

Massively underrated absolute joke they didn’t make it.

[@fotodorapha]

Descobri a banda assitindo How I Met Your Mother musica perfeita

[@ghostrid3]

Upload more concerts, notice there is some missing from the webpage compared to here on YT channel

[@southrules]

How are these some beetches not huge, they're really good

[@wolfy138]

one of the tightest bands (was).

[@ragerats3144]

Agreed (was) I hate that I can't see them live, since they haven't toured forever. I accidentally bought "everyone who pretended to like me is gone" through a BMG deal. I never heard of them or even cared, but the CD was practically free. After sitting on my dresser for a few months, I decided to open it and listen to it. I listened to it a million times. It was the only CD I ever memorized every lyric to every song. this had to be 15 years ago

[@winkmurder]

Rage Rats There are no such things as accidents 😉

[@Dangermoose-rv6bb]

but there is definitely such a thing as bunkum

[@captainkev10]

When are you guys going to book Dirty Projectors?

[@msmales555]

Where's Pete?!

[@yoyoyoyoadrian]

immortality brought me here

[@endomusia9410]

Hamilton sounds like a better Rod Stewart.

[@OldGruetzgesicht]

Doesn't everybody, though?

[@burnlastsunday]

Really? He's always sounded like Bob Dylan to me.

@@burnlastsunday Dylan wouldnt sing a note from Hamilton

[@gutoujiao]

喜欢~

[@EmB7CG]

I love you.

[@magnus_mbc]

Can you give me the chords?

[@mauessousa]

wow

[@GaiusAsiniusPollio1]

Good band like a mix of waterboys and the strokes

[@sanderhadad]

Sargent Brody??

[@morepassionfoo]

wheres pete?

[@SebelumEsmud]

pete on camera lol

[@ekovv]

don't worry you're ok it's ok

[@bolognacow]

Walter Is the coolest MF in rock n roll ever

[@arsvivendi33]

Am i the only one who see a little bit of awkwardness on that bass and guitar players! I mean...the music it's frigging beautiful! Buut.....i love this songs!

[@curtismcphee8550]

I miss Johnathan Fire Eater.

[@LiveStreamPhx]

Rip Stewart Lupton

[@henrydover7752]

John Peel is rolling in his grave if this band doesn't get the support it desreves

[@Brunoalves-wi5bk]

Himym ending s2

[@ratpimples]

i hear a bit of johnny cash in some of their songs...

[@antoniovieira580]

Algum Br?

[@fandechicoche]

Me parece una falta de respeto lo poco valorada que fue esta Banda 😢

[@kcheverie]

play "the rat"

[@oseasgonzalez4307]

Kristin Cheverie play Salieri

[@ripelivejam]

Wonder why they broke up. Guessing Hamilton's eye candy was too distracting from the rest of the band and music. *shrug*

[@kindkidbk]

they are just on hiatus :’) hamilton and paul are still making music together !!!

[@steve45295]

He lost he’s voice didn’t he ? No surprise there Great songs missed

[@herlockkk]

!!!

[@FINN-xm9is]

This is real music now we just have stuff like justin beiber

[@ekovv]

please don't be mean to me anymore

[@acoustically9201]

Accountancy department staff band.

[@lickapotato]

Wrong.