National - High Violet

by Daniel Cressey

published: 13 / 5 / 2010

Label: 4AD
Format: CD

intro

Essential fifth album from much acclaimed New York-based group the National, which despite its bleak subject matter reveals itself to be surprisingly uplifting

Sounding ever more world-weary of voice and ever more epic in song structure, the National return with 'High Violet', another triumph of an album. The lyrics on this release are just as bleak as past recordings would lead you to expect. Misery, self-loathing, and depression drip from Matt Berninger's deep voice. The arrangements never let this slip down into maudlin pity though. Deceptively simple, the music can build to something epic from the quiet ingredients of quiet pianos, almost shyly retiring guitars, and smatterings of strings. The simplicity frequently grows to something greater without the listener really noticing, especially if focus is distracted by Berninger's low-key claims of misery and woe. Despite the acclaim afforded him and his band, Berninger is eminently believable when he sings “you'd never believe the shitty thoughts i think” and “I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe”. The songs here are entrancing even when it sounds like the band are mocking their own misery singing (on 'Conversation 16'), “I was afraid, I'd eat your brains; 'cause I'm evil” and still somehow sounding compelling and even meaningful. Occasional forays into the unfathomable – “You and your sister live in a Lemonworld” for example are made more charming by their juxtaposition with everyday tales of bad days and worse nights. The downcast have rarely sounded so uplifting, and High Violet is both intensely personal and immediately relate-able. This is a truly essential album and one that is simply glorious.

Track Listing:-

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

Band Links:-

https://www.americanmary.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thenationalofficial
https://twitter.com/TheNational

Label Links:-

http://www.4ad.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fourad/
https://twitter.com/4AD_Official
https://plus.google.com/explore/4AD

Have a Listen:-

interviews

Interview (2007)

One of the most acclaimed of the indie scene, the National return at the end of May with their fourth album, 'The Boxer'. Guitarist Aaron Dessner talks to Ben Howarth about the band's development over the last five years and why the new album is a step up for them

Interview (2004)

live reviews

Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, 1/7/2008

Helen Tipping is impressed by both the accessibility and stateliness of Americana band the National's unique brand of indie rock at a show at the Metropolitan University in Leeds

Academy, Manchester, 10/11/2007

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, 11/7/2007

Koko, London, 31/5/2006

favourite album

A Skin, A Night (2008)

Ben Howarth looks at 'A Skin. A Night', alt rock band the National's new film and EP package, but, despite it arriving hot on the heels of their high regarded 'Boxer' album, is unconvinced by it.

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