KeyCMND.com: The National
Published by: KeyCMND.com
Date: May 19, 2010
Format: Web (www.keycmnd.com)
Type: Music Review
The National – High Violet
Most people either love The National’s ability to write a song that subtly—though somewhat predictably—swells from a quiet, minimal place to a louder, busier still mostly minimal place punctuated by brass and slick drum fills or are completely bored by the sometimes lackluster crescendos, Matt Berninger’s monotone voice, and his overly melodramatic lyrics. You could belong to one of those camps, or like me, you could reside near the fence, comfortably and a bit shamefully in the middle.
There is something to be said for not conforming after being widely chastised by some with the “generally boring” criticism. The band is making the music that they want to make, whether we all love it or not. High Violet is the latest example of The National putting naysayers in a box, forgetting about them, and continuing to do what it does best. It’s a record that’s full of beautiful progressions and skillfully executed instrumentation, even if most of the songs do follow a pattern of beginning simply and building up to endings heavy with layers, textures and little bits of muted chaos.
High Violet is also a record of completely depressing lyrics that are, at times, almost moaned into the microphone by Berninger. Such is the case on “Sorrow,” as he repeats in his most sorrowful tone, “I don’t want to get over you/I don’t want to get over you.” This is also no different from The National that we have known in the past, and those who love the band might say that they knew what was coming all along and that they’re into it. Maybe they love getting totally bummed out, which is fine, but others might say that this dude needs to get out in the sun for a while and lighten up. Both sides might be on to something.
In the end, I can see where the haters are coming from, and I tend to agree with them on a lot of points, but I can’t help but like this band and this record in spite of it all. Whether it’s stronger than 2007’s Boxer—it might be. High Violet features a band that is more confident than it has ever been, which is shown in the album’s consistent and polished sound. The National is definitely getting better and better at what they do, even if what they do isn’t for everybody.
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