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High Violet
The National
2010
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!An album that I have loved since I first heard it. The kind of music that either has a personal connection with people or doesn't. Not groundbreaking or earth-shattering, but has an ability to mainline emotion (even if through artifice), which is impressive. Also, will possibly be one of the last complete "albums" in the age of the album.
Amazing album from an amazing band. I could probably listen to Matt Berninger sing the phone book and be happy.
The National is good, and this album is them at their peak imo. I really have to be in a mood to listen to them though, and someone listening to them off the cuff may not be the best introduction to them.
Cookie cutter indie with absolutely no distinguishing features. Just choke the air with reverb laden guitars and chiming pianos. Make every song sound like an uphill slog with a cheap emotional payoff as your reward. Fuck this, I actively hate this kind of lazy, faux-sincere hogwash
Absolute classic. One of those albums i know every lyric to and can listen straight through at any moment.
Quintessential 2010s sound, with very interesting composition and instrument layering. Ladytron meets Arcade Fire! I listened to the live version and Squalor Victoria was splendid.
"High Violet" is absolutely, far and away, one of the best albums I've ever heard. I got into The National after "Boxer" came out and HV was the first new release I got to experience. A truly incredible work, 10/10.
Un dels nous clàssics. A l'alçada dels millors discos històrics del rock alternatiu. Una banda en un estat de forma sobrenatural. 'Boxer' ja havia deixat emprempta però no ens havia preparat per aquesta bogeria de creativitat i savoir faire. Tampoc després han pogut igualar-lo. Així que només ens queda disfrutar-lo i ser feliços per haver estat coetanis de tal obra mestra
Богоугодная хуйня, сначала понурая гуляла под дождём, а потом надежда какая-то появилась, короче, всем советую 👍🏻
A friend recommended this to me back in 2010 or 2011. I had no idea who they were but was completely blown away by this album. Nothing before or since by the National resonated the same but I listened to this one endlessly for months. I still sometimes put it on when I just need an album I can let repeat. Dark and brooding maybe, but I don't mind that. In fact I think I'm starting to see I'm quite drawn to that because the lyrics are raw and honest and really make you think. The music plays right into it - key piano and strings to punctuate the message, with some distortion (guitars or engineered?) here and there to offset it and give it a foggy feel. Highlights - Terrible Love (sets the tone for the rest), Little Faith (lyrics match a little Catholic revolt inside me?), Afraid of Everyone (love the beat and the lyrics are profound), Bloodbuzz Ohio (the vocals just carry and fit so well with the music), England (love the piano and the orchestral-like backing, as well as the crescendo in the last 100s), Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks (lyrics and music so sad but so beautiful).
Really good album, probably helped to such a high score by the fact that I listened to it a few times through. Reminds me a lot of some of my favourite bands, but in a way that doesn't feel like they are just copying anyone. For example, they sound a bit like a younger, American, version of Elbow. Terrible Love, Lemonworld, and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks stood out for me
"Boxer" was their big breakthrough, the album that led to a huge profile of The National in The New York Times containing fly-on-the-wall moments during the making of this album (an instant classic, by the way). My lone critique is that the Alternate Version of "Terrible Love" is miles better than the original that opens the album. And the band knew it, so much so that they released an expanded version of High Violet almost immediately to include the alternate version as a way of correcting the mistake. It's a minor nitpick, and that alternate version has thankfully become the standard. This is the album that firmly put The National on my Top Five list of all-time favorite bands. It's why Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran sought out the talents of Aaron Dessner to make new albums years after they became established pop stars. Anyone unfamiliar with The National should spend some time watching live performances of this album's closing track, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks. It's how they usually end their concerts. Matt Berninger will walk back on stage for the encore performance, often with a glass of wine, and turn the microphone to the audience, compelling them to sing the entire song while he stands back basking in the joy of hearing the crowd throw the words back to him. It became such a staple at National shows that a mic was no longer needed. The crowd knew exactly what their role was to close out the show. We should all be so lucky to know the happiness Berninger feels during this moment of a National concert.
It's a little hard for me to explain why I liked this so much. Upon first listen, I spent some time paying attention to lyrics, but for the most part my ears focused on the music and the vocals - and those were just very very pleasant for me to hear. This has a TON of potential to become one of my favorite albums, and I'll definitely check out more of the National...it's something I've been putting off for a while.
I used to listen to this album and Boxer back to back on road trips to and from college in the Midwest. I also have a distinct memory of listening to this album on an 18 hour train ride from Italy to Germany after missing a flight and needing to rush back to meet my girlfriend, who was flying in to visit me at the end of a study abroad program. I don’t know how it would be listening to this for the first time, probably comes off as nicely orchestrated existential whining from a baritone voiced white dude, but that was really a vibe for me during my mid-twenties. I usually reserve 5 star ratings for albums that really blow me away, or are personal favorites that I can listen to over and over (clearly this album falls into the later category).
Just a bunch of really smart songs with rich instrumentation that rewards multiple listens. I love this record. Best track: Runaway
Atmospheric, thoughtful, a clear theme that keeps through the whole album; it's a bit moody at times but overall quite enjoyable
Very slow, again not for work. Very much enjoy them, will probably listen to their other work now
I love High Violet! Such a great album! So beautiful and heartbreaking. Great instrumentation and feel.
This is a band I had never even heard of before! Interesting sounds, was great for background music while I was working.
Great album - love The National so this is well known to me. Favourite song-Afraid of Everyone
My indie cred is damaged by the fact that I've never listened to a full The National album. Heard many songs, just never got super into them. Happy to be listening through this. It's good!
Really enjoyed this album. Only the second National album I've heard. Found this one far less depressing. Reminded me of Joy Divison/New Order at times.
More enjoyable of an album than I recall it being. I know I listened a ton when it came out, but it doesn't have lasting power the same way Boxer does. Still a solid offering. Really like Conversation 16 and Bloodbuzz Ohio. 4/5
This album was new by me. It's not really something I can see myself coming back to, but it was a good listen. The music faded into the background a bit, but it was still good 4/5
I'm not too into the singer, but the lush and somber production holds this indie rock album up pretty well. Favorites: "Terrible Love", "Little Faith", "Bloodbuzz Ohio"
"I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees". Not everything here connects for me, but this is very listenable. There's some very good stuff here. Very warm production. I do like it.
Really got into this today while knocking back some yard work. Enjoyed his effortless lead vocals, almost soft conversations at times. Great producing on the tracks , really liked when they punched it up with a little blast from the horn section .
Koliko se sjećam, mislim da još do sad nije bio nijedan album ovih kraljeva. Iskreno, imaju previše dobrih albuma pa je teško to rangirati nekada. Sada se ovaj album po mojoj rang listi njihovih albuma nalazi nakon Alligatora, Boxera, TWFM i onda tu dolazi ovaj albumček, ali je svejedno jako dobar, i to puno govori. The National je stvarno jedna jako dobra grupa koju jako volim i koju sam imao priliku vidjeti na Šalati uživo, i bio sam oduševljen i...želim naravno opet ako je ikako moguće! Pjesme poput: Lemonworld, Conversation 16, Runaway, England, Bloodbuzz Ohio i naravno neizostavna pjesma Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks čini ovaj album takav kakav je u mojim ušesima. Što znači da je drugi dio albuma tako popunjen jebenim stvarima da je to čudo.
Spotify has been nudging me with songs from this LP over the last few years. I had a some of them on heavy rotation, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Anyone’s Ghost and England. It’s music for adults by adults. Matt Berninger has a great voice, writes somber lyrics and reminds me a bit of Nick Drake. The band is competent and stays out of the way so that the singing is front and center, although the drummer tends to pound away a bit Bonham-like at times, which to me means they’d be more kick-ass live.
Solid 4. Can't be a 5 because I can't figure out what he is singing about on any track. Bloodbuzz is a classic and the highlight of the album. Cover art (original cover) 5/5 you can always rely on 4ad
Not a big Indie person but this album was really good. I think the only song that I wasn't a big fan of (but that might change) was the opening track "Terrible Love." I think it was just the wall of sound that percussion created. The second half of the album from "Bloodbuzz Ohio" to the end really struck a chord though. I've had a few people recommend the National to me in the past but this is the first time I've heard any of their albums. Looking forward to checking out Alligator and Boxer as well.
Sounds really good. Still something modern but with instruments and singer, not too overly computerized music. I can listen to and enjoy this, but couldn't for example work listening to this. Sounds like 4 stars for now
My favourite of theirs is Alligator but this has lots of their best songs on. The production especially stands out to me as being the best fit for his voice and lyrics they've had
The album which got me into The National. I suspect, the album which got everyone into The National. Broody gothy romanticism.
Now I love this band so its a challenge to be objective but here goes...It's a brilliant album of obtuse lyrics and hummable tunes....some of them heartbreakingly beautiful. Alligator and Boxer are often seen as their strongest albums but this one shows s lot of maturity. Brilliant stuff. 4.
I don't listen to the National often, but enjoyed this album. They aren't super dynamic, but what they do they do it well. Bloodbuzz is obviously a standout, but also liked Anyone's Ghost and Conversation 16.
I didn’t like the national when they came out but I’m 39.5 years old now and have come around
Tough to critique but I just kinda like the sound of it and the way it creates a atmosphere with the instruments.
Pleasantly surprised. While every song is essentially the same, it’s the atmosphere and ambience of the sound and production that makes this album intriguing.
Best Song: Afraid of Everyone. In an album of excellent lyrics, this song still stands above the others. Worst Song: Can't say there was one. Everything was very cohesive, and each song felt like it belonged. Overall: Intoxicating. Between the deep and resonant vocals, the moody and melancholy lyrics, and the expansive instrumentation, the album feels very well-rounded.
A mix of talented vocals and interesting audio arrangements give a very enjoyable listen if a little modern for my tastes.
It's aight, 2.5 stars, but I'll be fair since I did want to add one song to a playlist.
Perhaps it ain't too fair to the album since I wasn't listening very attentively but I found the album a little unexciting for my tastes.
Singer's tone is monotonous. Songs all sound the same. Driving beat is a little too much. More acoustic instruments would lift the record up.
First time diving into a full album. I dig lead singers voice and lyrics are interesting/different
I've never listened to this record before, just "Boxer." Though, I do know Bloodbuzz Ohio. I like this band, just haven't listened to them a ton.
I enjoyed listening to this album, but I immediately forgot all of it as soon as I finished listening
The vocals are too cool for me. They're kind of tired and mumbly. The songs are delivered as if getting excited or passionate about the message is not cool. To me the singing feels too contrived. The music belies the singing though. The accompaniment is edgy and pulses with energy - paired with the disinterested, indistinct singing, I guess that's what makes it cool.
An album of its time. I used to listen to a lot of this kind of thing and this is a good example of the genre.
Quite earnest singing. Some refreshing alt-rock. Mostly listenable and not too much is dull. Impressive drumming and some interesting bass lines.
I do like The National, but I don't feel like this album is consistent. Bloodbuzz Ohio is an indie classic, unfortunately the rest of the tracks don't match the quality of this song though. Lyrics are on point for this song as well "I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe" is basically a Millennial anthem, lol. I do like Runaway as well, I remember being very into this song when I was super depressed. And maybe that's how the National is best enjoyed. This is probably a 3.5.
I get why some people like this band. I have always wanted to like them, but it's just so melodramatic and it's too much after two or three songs.
The National is certainly an interesting band. They've established a unique style that is instantly recognizable. However, I'm not a big fan of the muffled sound and the vocal style. I like them in small doses. 3 stars.
When I read that they played one song on repeat for several hours--and that the released the whole thing on vinyl--I prejudged that this would be pretentious as heck. Pleasantly surprised to be wrong, or at least it's also pretty darn good. Sounds great, stays interesting and varied. The singer seems effortlessly pretty. I had to work while listening, but this'll be an important candidate to return to.
Had not heard of this band and had not heard any songs by them, so this is all brand-new to me. I like their sound. Kind of droning but not in a boring monotonous way. They play with precision, which creates a cool contrast for me with the semi-morose feel of the melody and vocals. Reminds me of several bands I liked in the 80s. Good album overall. Would listen to it again and would like to hear some of their other work.
This album is not in my copy of the book. It's also not bad. Not something I'd seek out outside of this project - I'd say the production is too clean, it would benefit from being a little more lo-fi, a little more grungy - but it's much better than the inexplicably highly rated garbage album from Oasis I had to listen to yesterday.
Ah, the Nationals. Notorious sad-boy-band of the modern era. I've enjoyed a lot of their work over the years, either together or when working with others, but none of the songs I know and love are on this project, so it was all new for me. I enjoyed it, it's not the kind of music that's hard to listen to, but not a whole lot stood out to me. When the Nationals don't blow me away, they're pretty nondescript. I'll walk away with a few tracks but I'd personally rather see Boxer or Trouble Will Find Me make this list. Still, a good album. Favorite tracks: Lemonworld, Sorrow, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Afraid of Everyone. Album art: The version shown on this website is strange, some kind of deluxe rerelease. The original isn't drastically different but I do think it's better. Colored smoke scribbles coming out of a smokestack, where this one isn't much to interpret. 3.5/5
I've never been a huge fan of The National and this album stays within those boundaries. Very slow and melodic which was kind of nice but all the songs start to blend together as he shares his woes with us.
This is a very good band with some high quality output. But you have to be in the mood for them though because Matt Berninger's deep baritone voice singing very melancholic songs for an entire album can wear on you after awhile. Personally I think their previous album Boxer was better but maybe High Violet is a grower and I need to listen to it more.
I should like this, but somehow it sits the wrong side of the boring/interesting line for me
High Violet by The National (2010) These are songs that are brooding, melancholy, introspective, dark, and quite comfortable with sadness—the sort of feeling that is the effect of the world’s ubiquitous anxiety. There’s no frivolity, and the only happiness is found in a temporary and carefully limited escape (“Lemonworld”) from the angst factory of urban life. This my kind of music. Lyrically, there’s a stubborn attachment to the full experience of pain, disappointment, and the low feelings accompanying failed relationships, all set against a musical background that is richly elaborated with haunting choral vocals and keyboards/strings/horns orchestrations. One is reminded of the droning electronic colorings, heavy sustain, and slow chord progressions of U2. Brass choir with low woodwinds (“Runaway”, “Conversation 16”) never hit the anticipated strident and victorious highs. This has a halting effect. Bravo. The mix is heavy on drums, pulsing and resonant drums, with spare use of cymbals and snaring. The lead vocalist is refreshingly baritone. Rock music needs more of this. It’s somber, but it’s not a downer. It’s sorrowful, but it’s not depressing. It’s tenebrous, but it’s not hopeless. It’s why, as T.S. Eliot would reflect, “we call this Friday ‘Good’”. It’s honest mood music, best taken in small doses, but good medicine for the flippant soul. Listen to this record when you’re ready to stop being silly. 3/5
I kept listening to this album hoping it would eventually grab me. It's not bad, it just doesn't pull me in. I think the issue is, like other bands of this genre, every song is basically built around one riff that repeats over and over - maybe growing or fading, but still the same riff. The riffs are good and at least each song is somewhat unique, but individual songs don't seem to "go anywhere." It didn't help that they started with a lo-fi sound on Terrible Love and I'm not a fan of that style of recording. I liked the second track (Sorrow) much better. I like the singer's voice - reminds me of Mark Sandman from Morphine (particularly on Little Faith). Other songs I liked: Afraid of Everyone, Bloodbuzz Ohio, and England. I'll give it a 3 because I wouldn't mind hearing it again, but don't think I'll seek it out.
I liked this album more than I expected to. Maybe it was the crooning of the vocals, or the instrumentation. But there was something about it that I really kind of dug. It was really appealing to me for some reason. Probably the vocals, being a lower-voiced singer myself. Conversation 16 had some interesting lyrics to it. I think the only song that didn't stand out to me was England. The problem was there wasn't one song that was catchy. I liked the band, but there wasn't a song I was humming afterward. They were good, but forgettable. That's never good for a band "hey what's the name of that album by that band...?"
I’m having a hard time coalescing thoughts about this album. I like Berninger’s voice sometimes, but he doesn’t really sing. Other times I dislike it. I’m confused. At times, like Terrible Love, it feels like there is a lot going on in the music and it’s somehow disconnected from, or overshadowing, the vocals. I don’t know … 🤷♀️ The best summary I can give is that I liked Berninger’s vocals better on Chvrches’ My Enemy and that’s one of my three least favorite tracks on that album, which is by faaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr my least favorite Chvrches album.
When we listened to Pavement, I wrote "What is indie rock? Someone not signed to a major label? Today the term indie rock seems to have no meaning. It isn't exclusively used for independent label bands, and it doesn't refer to a specific musical style. I could tell you I like indie rock, but really that doesn't tell you much, and while I like many bands that would be classified as indie rock, I also dislike plenty of indie rock." I declared that Pavement was indie rock. In the 90s. But that indie rock today doesn't have much meaning in referring to a specific genre or musical style. That said, The National is probably as close to an indie style as you can find in the 2000s. It's not their labels (but those are independent), it's something about their sound. They're not alternative, or hard rock. They're actually indie. And they have been much buzzed about for nearly two decades now, with "Alligator" and "Boxer" and "High Violet" being a particularly strong run of critically acclaimed hits. And yet, I've never quite gotten into The National. I've never quite been able to put my finger on why, but I think most of it comes down to Matt Berninger's voice. It works ok on some songs, but I never love it, and more often I think it's too droning or something. It probably doesn't help that I generally have no idea what he's singing about. Most of the time I don't mind not understanding lyrics (whether because they're mumbled or just too obtusely poetic to bother with), but I think in those cases the voice has to be more pleasant or fitting with the music or akin to another instrument. But I rarely feel that with Berninger. The National definitely has their own very recognizable sound, consistent on all of their albums I've heard songs from. It just isn't quite my thing, despite being my thing-adjacent.
High Violet is the fifth album by the indie rock band the National. The album received widespread critical acclaim at release. It was a carefully crafted, powerfully poetic, beautifully subtle album of rock music, that grows on you and leaves you wanting more. This album was listed on many "Best Albums" list for 2010, and in 2011 it was certified diamond for sales in all of Europe. I loved the subdued nature of the rock music on this album and enjoyed listening to it in its entirety. I realized I've heard the album's single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" before, because I immediately recognized the tune and lyrics. It's a great track on an epic album. I will be putting this band on my list so I can listen to their other albums.
Terrible Love is an interesting song to put in the 1 spot. Sorrow was a single I remember fondly. Im just not really into it.
I do like the national. A lot, but i find sitting through an entire album quite hard work, whilst there is undoubtedly beauty within, and also a lightness of touch. it's a bleak listen.
Genre: Indie Rock 3/5 The National is a group that fits very neatly in the category of "Sounds like Coldplay/Arcade Fire/Morissey". Equal parts simple pop rock, equal parts alt rock, equal parts looking for that big juicy, emotional swell. However, this is rock music that my dad likes to call "constipated rock". We almost get there, and we almost get there a lot, and sometimes we do (Little Faith, Bloodbuzz Ohio), but most of the time we're left with some fairly run-of-the-mill aughts rock. There are songs here that are good, that I'm sure are staples on playlists of people who never grew out of 2010, like Lemonworld or Anyone's Ghost, but they never reach that next level that I feel separates indie rock from the rest of the rock umbrella. Artists like Arcade Fire have mastered the art of the indie rock orgasm, crafting the perfect angsty intro and verse, squeezing the tension for all its worth, where it culminates in a musical explosion of delight and/or sorrow. High Violet has some good verses and choruses, but it maintains a fairly mellow backbeat for the majority of the project. I was hoping for something a bit more lively, but I didn't get it, unfortunately. Not too bad, though.
Never heard of this one. Sort of fun. Sort of ordinary. But was ok. Did not like track 1, but whatever ... C
I always think that they have interesting lyrics and that the singers voice is unique but sometimes they just lack
Good musicians but a little boring. Went to wikipedia for more info about the band. Liked the cover artwork. The National is an American rock band of Cincinnati, Ohio natives, formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), twin brothers Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Carin Besser is not a band member, but has written lyrics for the band alongside her husband, Berninger, since its 2007 album Boxer. High Violet is the fifth studio album by the National, which was released on May 10, 2010 in Europe and on May 11, 2010 in North America via 4AD. The band produced the album themselves, assisted by Peter Katis with whom they worked on their previous albums Alligator and Boxer at their own studio in Brooklyn, New York, and at Katis' Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called The Binding Force.
3.7 - Overall, this album is a strong sample of its milieu, encapsulating the sound of Brooklyn indie rock around 2010. Pretty songs that unfold with interesting drama.
This is a great listen, but doesn't break any new ground. Lyrically, it does some interesting things, it has that great indie feel of saying something important, even if what that is isn't quite clear. Sometimes sad boring white people need sad boring white music to get them through the day and this delivers.
For me, two stars is decent music that I like, but can’t handle in large doses. Had to split the album up throughout my day, and felt like a chore to finish it
Terrible Love and some other tracks have a really interesting 'raw' feel, very intentionally messy mix with the guitar/bass/percussion. Vocals are baritone 'depressive' Morrissey-style. Overall this style of indie rock reminds me a lot of Kensington/White Lies, but the vocal style and downbeat melodies aren't really my cup of tea. Having said that, Bloodbuzz Ohio is a banger that sounds like a modern Johnny Cash song. Makes sense it's the most popular track from this album!
There were some great moments musically, but I found myself having trouble getting through it. A large part of it is the guy’s voice... at times it sounds like he’s so stoned he’s struggling to even stand in front of the mic, let alone sing. Also, I would describe his singing style as “apathetic” Favorite track(s): “Little Faith” and “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”
This is so boring and common that I don't understand why it is on this list. Anything between a piece of elevator music and an end of party music. Even the live versions have not any soul.
There are some interesting things happening with the layering of instrumentation, the production is quite good, and there are some decent moments, but overall it feels like there’s a lack of variation musically which lends the album an air of sameness and makes getting through the whole thing a chore.
Despite having origins in my hometown of Cincinnati, I somehow completely missed the boat with The National. Now, listening to them consciously for the first time, I can see why: it's very competent music but it also sort of just blends into the general milieu of the indie rock of its time. And since they seem to almost exclusively dwell in a state of heavy melancholy, the album collapses under its own weight rather quickly for me. Come to think of it, "Heavy Melancholy" should be a subgenre of indie rock. If it were used as a label it would be really useful, because it would make it so much easier for me to avoid exhausting albums like this one.
Moody without the emotion to back it up, boring. The kind of indie that's basic without knowing it's basic.
I saw these guys open for the Arcade Fire back when the Arcade Fire could sell out a theater. My one takeaway from their set was that the singer is a baritone. Having listened to this entire record, my takeaway is still that one single thing. Dude's a baritone. There's absolutely nothing else I can distinguish as a single selling point for this band. Except, perhaps, for Andy's NPR thing. Other fun fact from that show: the Arcade Fire didn't play "Wake Up." I get it, I get it. You have one anthem in the arsenal, you just released your second LP, and you don't want to play that song again. But also: fuck off with that noise. We all paid good money to hear that one song and you couldn't be bothered to do it one more time. It was a pretty frustrating night.
Who decided to record this with the singer at the bottom of a deep, deep well. Some times echo is arty! Not for me...
The first couple of songs are hard to get into. The third song (Percussion Ghosts) has percussion beats that make it interesting but I find most of this album challenging.
I used to enjoy hearing the odd song on the radio, but when I saw them live it was too much song-after-song, so I left and saw another band. Listening to the album is much the same. The one part I can get past is his vocals- a heathen light volition.
One thing I find so frustrating about this band is that they will let a song build and build and build... before just leaving it stuck in 2nd gear on a repeated refrain? There's no payoff to any of the tension built in unique arrangements and instrumentals, just kind of a dull fizzle as if the band ran out of steam halfway through writing the song.
It’s just so dreary. The whole album is tonally and sonically monotonous. I don’t get all the hype about this band. Bland. Blah.
I'm actually shocked this album has this many listens on Spotify considering how boring this is. I suppose people put this on in the background as they're trying to get to sleep? Horrendous singing and unimpressive playing. 3/10.
At first I thought it was inoffensive. But then I heard more and it got really boring.
Once, on the strength of a gushing profile of Jony Ive's production team at Apple, I went out and bought Interpol's Turn On the Bright Lights. (It's complicated, ok? Let's just accept that I was a shallow and callow young man.) Not entirely surprisingly, the album was not to my liking (I did try bloody hard, I have to say), and I eventually disposed of the evidence of my foolishness in a charity shop. Never thought about Interpol until listening to this, many years on. I didn't buy High Violet at the time (thank you, unnamed music blog. God, those were the days...). I did like the anthemic pomp pf "London" (and, turns out, I still do); and like Turn On...I tried hard to like the cool new alt-rockers on the scene. I failed better with The National. But the point is that I wasn't their constituency, and neither them mine. Sometimes, it is best to accept the natural order of things as it is.
Nowa hamerykanska banda z gatunku indyjskiego grania do kolekcji, tym razem dosc wspolczesnie, bo High Violet to krazek z 2k10, ktory jest piatym studyjnym albumem grupy, dosc braterskiej, bo dwie pary braci i random na wokalu, ale nie byle jaki random tylko Matt Berninger, ktory spiewa tak gloomersko doomersko sojakowe tresci, ze chyba sila wizualizacji wyguglowalem, ze z wygladu przypomina to co spiewa, wiec sojakowy blues, zagrany w bogatym akompanamencie, bo poza 4 braciaszami grupa podczas nagran wykorzystala dwu cyfrowa liczbe muzykow sesyjnych, wiec jest napchane do rozpuchu, a to wszystko w imie grania powaznej muzyki dla wysubimowanego sluchacza, ktory nie zadowoli sie popowym brzmieniem i nie godzi sie na kompromisy, jesli chodzi o podejscie do brzmienia, musi byc perfekcja, a do tego na dokladke jeszcze wiecej smetow i dlugich kawalkow o niczym, 47 minut materialu i 11 trakow, ktore w wiekszosci kreca sie wokol tak typowego dla nietypowego indyjskiego gatunku, czyli milosci smutnej, rozpadom zwiazkow, odrzuceniu i calemu temu bluesowi, a to podane w tak sojakowym sosiwie, ze az mnie naszla ochota na latte z mlekiem sojowym i przycinanie wasa, gdyby tylko dalo sie posluchac samego instrumentala tego albumu bez tych wymeczonych wokalnie tekstow, na plejke dodam bloodbuzz ohio, kawalek ktory wyroznia sie z plyty pomyslem na siebie, bo pijany ktos wspomina swoje dobre chwile w rodzinnym ohio, ale nie ma ich zbyt wiele, wiec raczej woli pic zeby o nim zapomniec
Hi- Anyone's Ghost, Afraid of Everyone Lo- Terrible Love, Runaway Starts off kind of droning and moody, (reminds me of The Bravery, whom I dislike) with Terrible Love. Anyone's Ghost is pretty good and catchy. Afraid of Everyone...that's a whole mood, and I enjoy it. So far this is a mixed bag, I'm not a huge fan. Runaway is back to droning mode, and it's not my favorite...the rest of the album is very much the same as the beginning and I probably won't be listening again going forward.
Downbeat, gloomy and not all that interesting on first listen, despite being fairly intricate. I suspect my rating and enjoyment would increase with repeated listens, but I can't see myself returning to this. I generally like miserable lyrics, but typically when they are accompanied by uplifting music. Miserable lyrics with miserable music is a bit too misery inducing for me, and I don't want to be miserable. Rating: 2/5 Playlist track: Bloodbuzz Ohio Date listened: 25/04/22
initial thoughts: “oh I know one song from the national” realizing I know one and like one only I think fav off album: conversation 16
Music was good, didn’t like the vocals. Appreciate the craftsmanship at work but this did nothing for me.
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