The National - High Violet Reviewed
September 19th 2010 10:16
The National are a Brooklyn, New York based suit-wearing indie-rock band who have been releasing music for nearly 10 years now. The line-up consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), twins Aaron (guitar, piano) and Bryce (guitar) Dessner, and brothers Scott (bass) and Bryan (drums) Devendorf.
Tracklist
1. Terrible Love
2. Sorrow
3. Anyone's Ghost
4. Little Faith
5. Afraid of Everyone
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio
7. Lemonworld
8. Runaway
9. Conversation 16
10. England
11. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
1. Terrible Love
2. Sorrow
3. Anyone's Ghost
4. Little Faith
5. Afraid of Everyone
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio
7. Lemonworld
8. Runaway
9. Conversation 16
10. England
11. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
High Violet, which was also produced by the band, is The National's fourth full-length studio album and was released earlier this year. It is the first album from The National that I have listened to in full, but I already think of them as one of my favourite bands in the world today. This is simply a brilliant album. The distinctive baritone singing of Matt Berninger is in full force, and while to some ears there is a monotonous bore to it, there is definitely a strain of emotion in his voice making the world of difference to my ears. Currently, The National are heavily involved in charity and awareness work, which comes out through some of these songs. Afraid of Everyone is about the shocking state of the political world, and features the phrase "the voice is swallowing my soul...". The entire album is full of amazing lyrical craftmanship rarely heard in music from any era. It's hard to pick a weak song on this album, so I'll go through the highlights instead. First single, Bloodbuzz Ohio, was the song that got me listening to The National, and is written about growing up and leaving Cincinatti, Ohio, where all members of the band grew up, Lemonworld is about the sexiness of Berninger's wife and sister-in-law, while Conversation 16 is a great song too and Sorrow ("I don't wanna get over you...") is one song that spoke to me on a personal level. Berninger's lyrics are at the forefront of the songs, supported more by piano than guitar on this record. String arrangements (written by the Dessners and the ever impressive Nico Muhly) soar in and out of most songs, and Bryan Devendorf's drumming often sets the tone for songs even before Berninger's voice.
High Violet would have to be one of the best releases this year, and personally I can't wait to see The National performing at The Falls Festival over the Aussie summer!
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