The National
High Violet
4ad Records
May 11

By Melissa Traynor

A quality unique to The National is the band’s ability to make its music perpetually teasing and escalating, yet stable. They don’t give any more than they have to, but what they offer is just right. For their latest release, High Violet, the collection of 11 songs stays largely true to this quality, with the exception of maybe one or two tracks.

Their music is simple, but very recognizable; for example, singer Matt Berninger’s voice is monotone and sounds removed, but is fully highlighted throughout the music, and also stands apart from many other bands and their lead vocals of the same genre. He sounds reluctant and maybe as if there is no effort behind his words, which keeps pace with the backing music (also simple, but so well done that it could only come from The National).

You’ll find no joyous singalongs here. High Violet is a melancholy album with an occasional chant in the chorus or small variations to provide some interesting orchestral background music. But for the most part, this record is very much the soundtrack for drinking alone, on a cloudy day, in the winter. The tone of every song for the most part is downtrodden and very raw.

One of the record’s best tracks  – a nostalgic “Bloodbuzz Ohio” – has one of the more interesting percussion parts on the album, and probably the most unusual, memorable lyrics. Drums and and two or three note piano melody share most of the emphasis aside from vocals and they make for a very steady track. Some pressure and building in the middle of the song gives way to a quick break for Berninger to sing out, “I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees/ I’ll never marry, but Ohio don’t remember me.” It’s partially about hometown reminiscing, it seems, or maybe being reminded of something from a long time ago.

Sonically, High Violet is no huge departure from what The National is usually known for. What it does do, however, is give us more of what we already love and they make it look easy.