In the shadows of The National's melancholic melodies are the ghosts of post-punk past and shades of latter-day singer/songwriters. Hints of a world-weary Tom Waits and a wistful Bruce Springsteen hide in Matt Berninger's husky baritone, while traces of Joy Division's sparse, rhythmic existentialism, The Smiths' dark and witty guitar pop and Nick Cave's smouldering piano elegies are heard throughout.