The National may very well be my absolute favorite band of the moment. I fell in love with The National quickly and passionately upon hearing their “breakthrough” album, Alligator. When I bought it, I let the album play on repeat for twelve hours straight. The National is that easy to listen to. Boxer was another masterpiece. In fact, I recommend a listen to those two albums before getting High Violet. Besides hearing three amazing albums, you can listen as their sound matures.
The National consists of two sets of brothers- The Dessners and the Devendorfs- and lead singer, Matt Berninger. Their music could be described as intelligent rock. Berninger sort of talk-sings in an emotional baritone. That baritone and Bryan Devendorf’s drumming dominate the sound of the album. Occasionally, strings and piano are flawlessly incorporated such as in “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks.” The music is emotional and powerful, and somehow subtle about it.
I can’t help but compare High Violet to The Five Ghosts since I had just written about it. Thematically, they’re nearly opposite. Where Stars chooses to explore grand ideas of love and life after death, High Violet explores the mundane moments of life for the middle class American. But that doesn’t mean High Violet isn’t poignant and touching, often funny, and often very sad. Because that’s exactly how life is. I was especially impressed with how accurately they presented the fear involved with being a responsible adult. In “Runaway” they debate between running away or allowing ourselves to be led to a flood. Similarly powerful language is used in ”Bloodbuzz Ohio” as Berninger sings about how strong our attachment to our roots can be- that going home can be like being carried by a swarm of bees.
I’ve written a lot about their lyrics. I can’t help it. Lyrics that poetic and full of meaning get to me. So while the music in High Violet is fantastic and rewarding to hear even passively, the listeners who pay attention will get the most out of this album.
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