The National

The National - High Violet

I am a huge fan of the National. They first wow-ed me with Alligator and The Boxer is an unbelievable follow-up (even though it is a bit of a grower), so needless to say I was a little excited when High Violet was released. Snarky, downtrodden lyrics about fights, and the fear and nervousness about being a new father, High Violet runs the gamut of sadness. The National do this better than anybody in the industry and High Violet is no exception. My only knock (and not a big one) is that the album is, again a "grower". It took me three listens for the album to go from good to stellar. I do not need instant gratification from listening to an album, but it does not hurt. The real gem of High Violet is at the midway point of the album. "Bloodbuzz Ohio". A dense song that piles on a heavy, churning melody with driving keyboards, tight rhythm section, all overlain with Berninger's baritone voice, and you have not only the quintessential National song, but the makings of an indie epic.

Grade: A-