National - Terrible Love

  by Tara McEvoy

published: 13 / 11 / 2010

Label: 4AD
Format: 7"

intro

Discordantly beautiful, but unnecessary alternative version of previous National single, one of the tracks from their outstanding 'High Violet' album

There is no doubt that the National’s latest release, an alternate version of previous single, ‘Terrible Love’, is something special. An epic, anthemic song that calls to mind at turns Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire and Death Cab for Cutie, ‘Terrible Love’ has a promising start which is more than supported by what follows, a rousing opening drum beat, almost military in quality melding with a gently strummed guitar, lead singer Matt Berninger’s low baritone fusing with a string section which flourishes; truly brings the track to life. Berninger’s pained refrain ("It takes an ocean not to break") builds to a cacophonous, discordantly beautiful wall of sound, that bursts with urgency and vitality, juxtaposes musical strength and vocal vulnerabilit, and ebbs away quite unexpectedly. Quite why the National felt the need to release this alterative version of 'Terrible Love', however, remains a mystery – while the original single from 'High Violet' was and remains an arresting song of almost cinematic beauty, re-releasing the same song, albeit bar a few minor instrumental changes, seems a tad like milking a dead cow. Die Hard fans may lap up the second version, but for all but the most devoted, either should suffice.

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