New Release by The National

There have almost been too many solid releases in 2010 thus far. From Thee Oh Sees to local act Hosannas, this week has been no exception. One release I'm especially excited about is the new album High Violet from The National. Unlike the last two posts, The National are most certainly not helmed by a female lead. Singer Matt Berninger's distinct, baritone delivery makes for one of the most recognizable male voices in contemporary music. Achieving major notoriety with the immense critical acclaim of their last two albums - Alligator (2005) and Boxer (2007) - this is an eagerly awaited release from both fans and critics alike. Since 2007 the band worked with director Vincent Moon (of Blogotheque fame) on a A Skin, A Night (2008) and the Virginia EP of B-sides and rarities. High Violet is the band's fifth album and the next rung in their ladder of success.


High Violet is nothing short of what we've come to expect from The National, and while progressive is sometimes what we like to see from bands, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Mostly employing the traditional array of instruments - piano, drums, guitars - the accompaniment is as tight as ever. Berninger's voice is the perfect brush for painting scenes of dark walks alone and gruesome depictions of love. In "Terrible Love" Berninger laments, "It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders." If anything is different with High Violet, it's because that it is somehow more organic, more unbridled than the savvy, sleeker imagery conjured up in previous efforts. In "Conversation 16" we hear "I was afraid I'd eat your brains/ 'cause I'm evil." These introspective and drifting vocals build with harmonic choral backing that comfortably transcend the innately pensive and evocative tones we've come to love. This comfortable scope means that whether you're giving this album a serious listen or simply have it on in the background, it's hard not to lose yourself in it. So while we've yet to quite reach the halfway mark for 2010, you can be sure that like the last two albums, High Violet will definitely be on a lot of people's year-end lists. 


Released yesterday, you can pick the album in major stores nationwide or online. Surely High Violet will be on full display when these guys play Sasquatch in a few weeks. In the meantime sample their new single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" in visual form below or preview their whole album over on Spinner and check out some of those other great releases too.

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"