High Violet

boring??

This album was fine. This flavor of rock doesn't really do it for me. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't stand out as I listened to it, and I ultimately found it pretty boring.

🤮

far better with repeated listens. never quite hit me the way other songs by The National do

This bored the living shit out of me

Shoe gazer rock

What a great record. I listened to it on a roadtrip Greg and Lara from new concord to chicago to visit Sara and John and it was such a great trip with a stopover in rural Indiana. I still owe money to the money to the money I owe

liked this way more than I thought I would. Very enjoyable listen. 4.5/5

richtig guter indierock. kannte The National nicht, aber das album ist echt toll.

Suche noch das Highlight

Anyone's Ghost

Bajón pero chingón.

I remember where I was when I first heard "Bloodbuzz Ohio" and that isn't something that happens a lot with bands/songs. For whatever reason, the rest of this band's catalogue never hit with me. It should have and this album was top to bottom great.

Nice

i bet this hit in 2010 when it came out but it feels a little bland in 2026, a few songs started to hit but album is too long

I fucking love this album. Peak indie rock for me. I remember seeing The National at Shaky Knees 2014 and being absolutely mind-blown. I think it's their best album, and I would say that it's the best album to listen to when you want catharsis for sad feelings. I've heard it put as the best sad wine drunk music you could ask for. That's not to say that it will make you sad, it's just like comfort food for when you're feeling low. Terrible Love, Sorrow, Conversation 16, and England are all incredible songs.

This isn't really my thing. It's soft and airy... kinda. It definitely has its dark moments and has a moody atmosphere about it. It just lacks the energy and vibe I like in my music. This is the kind of "critic's choice" records that music writers shove down our throats as "important" and "artistic" when they ignore GOOD music. It's a bastion of modern mediocrity.

It’s basically shoe gaze 2010 version. It wasn’t terrible though. Just nothing really happens.

A little unsure of what to rate this, I really liked a few songs but others I was totally indifferent. Probably a 3.5/5

Some sort of elite sad music that I know goes crazy at a packed festival

Notable Textzeilen: Didn't wanna be your ghost Didn't wanna be anyone's ghost But I don't want anybody else I don't want anybody else Ganz großes Gefühlskino. Zur Releasezeit hätte mich das vermutlich nicht so bewegt wie 16 Jahre später. Aber 16 Jahre sind ne menge Holz. So viel, das die hier damit emotionale dicke Bretter bohren können. Masterpiece.

Das mittlere von The national's imperialer Phase, wo plötzlich aus einer mittleren Band eine sehr große wird. Besonders ist vor allem das Schlagzeugspiel, das total mitnimmt und einen Gegenpunkt zum eher langsamen Gesang und Songwriting bildet. Und Supersongs, natürlich.

Dieses Album schiebt und zieht die ganze Zeit. Die sehr straighten Drums und dann die Lyrics die mal vorauseilen und mal Hinterherschleife. Alles fühlt sich drängend an... Und dabei so melancholisch. Großes Kino.

Lovely Lovely Album. Quite pretty and a lot of depth to it. Definitely worth a relisten soon! Favorite Track: Anyone’s Ghost

I always seemingly enjoy what The National does, none of the songs seem to stand out though, besides Bloodbuzz Ohio. 4/5

Truly beautiful and melodic album

The National's High Violet is a masterclass in sonic clarity, boasting impeccably mixed and mastered tracks where instruments are brilliantly separated and Matt Berninger's vocals sit effortlessly in the mix. While standout cuts like "Afraid of Everyone," the folk-infused "Little Faith," and the driving "Anyone's Ghost" shine with memorable basslines and dynamic arrangements, the album ultimately suffers from a notable lack of sonic variety. Too many middle-stretch tracks blur together into a monotonous, repetitive landscape that overstays its welcome. Trimming away the redundant filler would have elevated this pleasant, easy-to-digest listen into a truly compelling, tightly paced record, perfectly balancing its gorgeous production values with a more concise and engaging runtime.

Its fine but its millennial as fuck. My mom has played half of these for me when i was a kid.

(Light 7/10) So maybe in my life at this time, this kind of music isn't immediately appealing to me? It's got everything that would make an album good, the songwriting is top notch, the instrumentation is practically perfect, and the dude's voice is somewhere between a world-wear Leonard Cohen and an absolutely defeated Morrisey. So by all means, this should be a no-brainer. It's just that, while this is a good record, I'm having a hard tike extrapolating enjoyment from it in the way that was intended. "Bloodbuzz" is peak, that song has everything that makes a song like that work. The lyrics are wonderful, the instrumentation is super appealing; especially the drums, it's just so good. "Conversation 16" and "Terrible Love" are also fantastic. Good high points in the record that definitely perk up your brain and keep the album flowing. I think if I heard this in 2014 I would have been way more into it than I am currently, but I cannot deny that this is a GOOD album, it's Just gotta click I guess.

I started appreciate the National a few years ago and find this album very good (although I would have rather chosen the Boxer to appear on this list). That said, although great, the sound and mood across the songs (and the albums -- at least those produced in this period) quite lack of variety: same (slightly) sorrowful vocals by Benninger, similar dense arrangements, frequent (slow) dramatic crescendo etc.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this as I started it. It was heading towards solid 3/5 for me, with good instrumentals but very downbeat and unclear writing/vocals. But I think after I listened more and restarted the album, I think I get it a bit more. I can see this being an album I listen to again in low moments, to help feel better. I like this, in a way I didn't expect.

Sounds pretty nice after a smoke session

These guys are one of the most indie indie bands I’ve ever heard. Pretty good but I’m reviewing this a few days after listening and I had to think about whether I actually listened to the album or not because it was so forgettable.

Knew nothing about this going in. It started out sounding like sad songs from sad boys á la The Avett Bros, but didn’t stay that way. It was aaalmost an add to my library, but didn’t quite tick over the top. Still, 3 stars.

I really do like The National but I do not believe that High Violet is representative of their best work.

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands, so I am biased.

Their high point for me. Most complete album.

This one is from a band out of Cincinnati, which seems like quite a rarity. Wikipedia mentions that the album cover is a sculpture - if that’s the case then I know lots of five-year olds who have done sculptures just like it. The music is very 1990s. After listening to it, it felt totally forgettable. However, it could be one of those albums that improves with additional listening. Therefore it goes on the three-star pile.

The National are a natural class with The Antlers, Wilco, Band of Horses, and other bafflingly popular hipster artists I never got into. Oh, and Sufjan, who's in the background on one of these tracks. Here is their one and only chance to win me over!! Nah, they didn't do it. If only they could convey one (1) emotion when singing. Otherwise they're fine. Keep 'em in the Grey's Anatomy background. Highlights: 'Sorrow', 'Afraid of Everyone'

I've loved this album since it came out. It's the pinnacle of sad music for me; the day after the 2016 election I'm pretty sure I listened to The National all day long. Luckily I can still enjoy them when I'm perfectly happy, too. Matt Berninger is one of my favorite vocalists of all time. It's been a bummer to hear him come up a few octaves on recent albums, but he was in his baritone prime here. Just lovely. He's also one of the weirdest lyricists of all time. I'm familiar with the entire canon of The National but I'm not sure I understand a single song of theirs. They're quite often fun to sing along to while also wondering "What the actual fuck am I singing about? 'I never married, but Ohio don't remember me.' Does Ohio typically only remember single people? Do states have memories? Is 'Ohio' a stand-in for a specific lady from Ohio? Is this just a poetic way to describe himself as a vagabond originally from Ohio? Is there another meaning for the word 'Ohio' other than the state? I live here, I should know that..." Anyway, this album is great when it fits the mood for something sad and/or chill.

Great album. I love the voice and the songwriting is top notch. This is one of those albums I forget how good it really is

очень интересно. сначала я подумала о оказывается я люблю группу эх нэйшнл. Потом к середине альбома я подумала, что я не помню ни одной песни и все звучит одинаково. С другой стороны очень успокаивающе и так мечтательно, что может и неплохо иметь 50 минут такой убаюкивающей песни. Какая мораль? Я не знаю. Возможно, моё внимание просто недостаточно работает и вообще это моя вина, что все для меня одинаково. Переслушать группу зэ нашиональ?

7/10

listened to this tons 16 years ago, and i'm being reminded why. it's a great record. i saw them on this tour as well, and it was a top 10 concert for me. and yep, it still slaps 16 years later

Some albums are just more than the sum of their parts. They manage to capture a moment or a place or a mood perfectly, letting the feeling come through so clearly that it allows your mind to wander the halls of the artist's mind. For Emma, Forever Ago...OK Computer...Sea Change...and this album. I would not even call myself a "fan" of The National, but I love this album. It's beautiful. It's sad. It floats on geography and whimsy, and Matt Berningers's unique voice. All I ask is that music moves me, and this album does.

It’s fine. Not bad, not wonderful

I'm liking this so far. Maybe not as much as that editor from NME who rated all their albums 1-7 or whatever, but it's good. It's a different sound, but they are in that same indie vibe as Wilco. I am really liking this album, every song is good. I should have given them a chance before now. Consider me a fan of The National, this is a revelation. Indie Rock is going to hit my favorite genre list soon. And what's up first after the album ends...Wilco. I nailed it!

Basically an album of intro's. Songs never seem to really start. Just a half-interesting riff or lyric, repeated ad nauseam, until it ends. If you jump from 30" to 3'30" in any of these tracks, you hardly notice any difference. Exactly why I hated Snow Patrol. Bland, boring. Nothing.

Хороший инди под настроение. Напомнило по вайбу Stereophon8cs

Ok

It’s pretty good but gets a little old in the second half like many of the reviews are saying.

i feel like most of this album was written by pressing the middle word when typing on an iphone. not bad just dull. terrible love i quite liked but the rest is indistinguishable from each other. unrelated to this but i actually almost saw the national at a festival in 2022 but decided their name was too boring to interest me. maybe a good decision in hindsight?

terrible love

I do like it, but the tracks all sound rather similar, almost as if it were one long song. Terrible Love - very 2010, and I cannot even say why Little Faith - really like how the beginning sounds Bloodbuzz Ohio - one of those songs that makes you feel like you heard it as a kid in the back seat of your parents' car one summer, while looking out the window

I might get roasted for this one at work, but I'm just not into it.

Incredible

A group with a great sound, but even great sounds start to wear thin if they are repeated to often. "Sorrow," "Bloodbuzz, Ohio," and "Runaway" are absolutely terrific tracks, though.

Love the National - not my favourite National album (prefer "trouble will find me" and "I am Easy to find" but still a very solid 4

Not the album I would have picked, sandwiched between their two best albums - Boxer and Trouble Will Find Me. Bloodbuzz Ohio stands out on this album, but the rest blends into The National sound without having much impact on their own. Wish this list would have had either of the above named albums instead. Both are fantastic!

3/5

I shouldn't have listened to this right after lunch. I nearly fell asleep. It's not for me.

This was fine, a little staid and monotonous every now and again but had some echoes of good stuff in there.

Terrible love - 3 Sorrow - 3 Anyone's ghost - 3 Little faith - 3 Afraid of everyone - 3 Bloodbuzz ohio - 3 Lemonworld - 3 Runaway - 3 Conversation 16 - 3 England - 3 Vanderlyle crybaby geeks - 3

Ok, but not my rhythm. ★★

Removed

A bit boring, and not even the safe kind of boring. I would have given it a 3 if it was somewhat pleasant to listen to, but I can't even remember a single song from it

Comes off as a touch pretentious, but the highs are high, and the mood is set well.

idk its not getting me really

One of my favourite bands and (while probably not their best) this is the album that sucked me in a decade ago. I’m such a fan of Beringer’s opaque songwriting - he rarely makes any literal sense but I always somehow feel like I get what he’s trying to say. That plus his baritone delivery is the obvious strength of the band, but I think they’d be pretty boring if it wasn’t for Bryan Devendorf’s propulsive drums that turn ballads into burners. My only complaint about this album is the first song, terrible love, which they often end their shows with, is one of my least favourites. I think this album gets better as it goes (Blood buzz and everything after are excellent). It’s a 4.3

2.5 I cant really get into the National, and this listen didnt do anything to help that

Sonically and emotionally narrow. Boring.

One reviewer (who gave this a 5) wrote..."probably comes off as nicely orchestrated existential whining from a baritone voiced white guy"... Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm not trying to disrespect that reviewer. He loved this. It is a major bore to me.

These guys, they're sorta bougie and dad rock for millennials but I like listening to their music. There are many other good indie rock albums that sound like this. Some are from other bands, and some are National albums (like Boxer or Alligator!) Not sure why High Violet is the one that made it on the list and I can see the urge to think these guys are overhyped, but I went to college with this music and it's pretty good!

Concise, moody, with a lead singer whose voice I love. I'm wary of indie but I like it when it sounds like this.

Absolutely adore this album. This came out during a rough patch in my life and was sort of a life boat that carried me along but also let me feel what I needed to feel through the peaks and valleys of this record. Introduced the woman that would become my wife to this and she fell in love with it. The album transformed from something dreary to something we felt together. All that to say, I am absolutely skewed by my personal nostalgia for this. I can see how this takes some time to grab the listener. This isn't a sunny day picnic album but more of a rainy day or dreary evening. Put your blind rage for "hipster" music aside and let yourself enjoy this album.

Nie so crazy daar oor nie maar dis 'n mooi album

The first word on the "Keywords from reviews" section is "Boring" lmao. I dont think its boring. Its really calm and sweet. I dont like the singer's voice but the music is really prety. Its seems like this album is really like it or hate it. Im more on the like it side but I get why some people dont like it.

Had to turn on some Cardiacs after listening to this because I needed a palate cleanser from this vocalist's extremely monotone and lethargic style, even if the instrumentals can be decently pretty at times (even if mostly they're boring as well).

I think this is the third or fourth best the National album. I'm not even going to pretend like I don't love it. Yeah, yeah yeah, it's boring, it's mid, it's white bread. I don't care.

It's doing that brooding but inspiring thing that makes the music sound deep whatever is being said. The vocalist sounds great and I think this album is good. Kind of like explosions in the sky with vocals or maybe like coldplay... Not my thing all the time but undeniably well made.

Mid as hell and completely ignorable. Production is nice I guess, but the songwriting is incredibly boring. This could've been any album by anyone; if this is their sound then their sound is the sound of boring mediocrity.

Enjoyed the whole vibe of this, and actually feel like it's something I'd listen to again, which feels rare on this list

Not quite as good as I remember, but certainly took me back to the days of the Great Recession where I applied to like 100 minimum wage jobs in a single year.

this sounded exactly like the bleachers but better lmao thoroughly enjoyed! made me a bit sad though

Groupe inconnu. Bonne musique d'ambiance, mais guère plus. L'écoute est plutôt agréable (+1) mais aucun morceau ne m'a vraiment marqué. Mais où sont passés les 26 (!) musiciens supplémentaires ? L'album m'a paru terriblement long, j'ai fini par faire autre chose en parallèle. =>2/5

Getting my mind absolutely melted by Slint yesterday isn't helping these guys. But this is a good, kinda solemn indie rock record, the drumming in particular is very nice. Have I heard Bloodbuzz, Ohio somewhere before?

“Mum can we listen to Depeche Mode?” “We have Depeche Mode at home” Depeche Mode at home:

-this was really good! has a very distinct sound, i absolutely love the vocals and sort of moody atmosphere the whole album has -did feel a little bit repetitive but i appreciate the intent of making a very consistent, one-flavor album. makes me want to check out the rest of their stuff because their only other material i’ve heard is coney island by Taylor Swift -Favorites: Little Faith, Afraid of Everyone, Lemonworld

It's good just not for me.

This isn’t my number one national album but it is close. Bloodbuzz is an all timer.

Snore

I’ve always wanted to like this band more than I do. I don’t really know why. I don’t think it will make me cooler to like them but I just feel a kinship to these older dudes who have kinda “made it” on their own terms. But I just don’t. I’ve listened to this album more than some albums I like trying to will myself to enjoy it to no avail. The closest is Afraid of Everyone but even that tune annoys me a bit. I think one major factor is I hate pretty much every choice the drummer makes. He somehow finds the most intrusive, difficult, and unpleasant take on the rhythm and plays it full blast most of the time. He literally sucks all the pleasure out of the songs with these “hey look what I can do” parts.

Just awful. I hated the vocals so much. Just a miserable, boring, waste of a record.

Nah haha, Boxer is solid tho :)

Another masterpiece!! Very underrated band in my opinion. They have such powerful songs. Their sound, his voice, the lyrics. All together it makes something very beautiful!!

fine

This is great. I suspect it’s an album I will love very soon. Great throughout. Spectacular first listen!

****A good, easy listening album. Beautiful vocals

Mumble mumble mumble...... One song at a time is okay. But an entire album of the exact same mumbling and muddy music? No thanks. How did these guys not fall asleep in the middle of every song? Ugh.

Production is great, everything is mixed super well and each instrument or effect has its own space to breath in, but holy moly this record is so boring.

There are some good lyrics and good production. But I need a few extra listens. Vanderlye is a great track

Vraiment? Ce disque est vraiment super monotone…

Okay but how kickass would England be as a closer instead? Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks is a wonderful song and a fine end to this wonderful record but England is maybeeeee my favorite National song so

Dollar Store Morrissey.

Never got The National. Sorry, nothing has changed since listening to this. Probably deserved a better score.

Dull.

God, this is dull

Have I listened to this album before No How familiar am I with this album Unfamiliar How do I feel about this artist? I recognize the name but I don’t know anything about them Pre-Listen Thoughts: Something new! Never know what to expect Favorite track(s): Sorrow Post-Listen Thoughts: This was actually pretty good. I have not been a huge fan of a lot of more contemporary stuff on here but I liked this.

This album is very bland at times, but has some nice arrangements, which make the instrumentals sometimes rich and beautiful, at least at some moments. So, it is an album I will probably never return to listen to, but, surely, it has been a pleasant experience, a delicate and very well produced one. Nonetheless, the music is more of average indie pop, with nice touches and some lovely sounds, but not much impressive or groundbreaking. It's nice, not something wonderful, but a pretty decent record.

This is ok. It would be better if there were .ore variety. I can handle instrospective and monotone music, but there needs to be some greater hook or theme. This album seems to be in neutral and overly content to be so.

Yawn. Played at work, helped me concentrate on the task and hand and was completely forgettable. Why is this here?

dreary and dull

Mellow

I always assumed that this was going to be a band who sounds just like Interpol, so I never could understand why Aaron Dessner has become one of the most in-demand pop producers. Actually listening to this, their big commercial breakthrough album, I see it a bit now? I'm not in love with this type of indie rock really, but the production is pretty cool, the way he gets good separation between all the instruments without it ever feeling too cavernous. Never going to be a favorite, but it's always cool to hear one of those albums where you can see the progression of pop music taking place!

You know, I'd normally complain about indie rock having a disproportionately high representation in the 2010s part of the list compared to the popularity of the genre during the decade, but the National are actually a pretty popular band, so I really have no reason to complain this time around. Besides, even if the National weren't popular, they're still good, so I wouldn't complain anyways. Yeah, this album is pretty great. The National are a band that I have heard of, but that I really didn't know much about prior to today. What do I know about them now? Well, I know that they're good! High Violet is a pretty good showcase of talent. I like Matt Berninger's deep vocal register. It's not every day that you get to hear a full-on baritone performance on one of these albums, so it's always neat to hear one. Good vocalist. The words he's singing are well-written. The National are really good at having singular lines that carry a lot of emotional weight behind them. Combine that with some nice imagery and you get a good batch of 11 very well-written songs, with songs like "Sorrow," "Bloodbuzz Ohio," and "Conversation 16" being highlights for me. The band's musical style is just nice. There's not a ton I can say about the music here. It's just some good, enjoyable indie rock. There's some tight drumming that I like. High Violet is a very consistent album. It's not one that you'll always be in the mood for, but it'll always be there for you when the time comes, ready to do wonders. I really like it. High 4/5.

The National are just one of those bands I know are not for me. They are one of my partner’s favorite bands, so I have heard a lot of them, but none of it is memorable to me. My partner’s favorite song by them, Bloodbuzz Ohio, is on this record, and I can see why. It was definitely the standout song on the album. It’s not that the rest of the album was bad, but I don’t think I could distinguish one song from the next. Like with all of the things I hear by The National, it just felt pretty blank

Good

The National mostly passed me by, even though they were big(ish) at the time I was listening to more contemporary music. My first introduction to them was at a festival. Along with Pulp and The Strokes they were at Reading in 2011. I didn't think much of them at the time. The songs didn't seem to go anywhere or be very distinctive. Having listened to this album, my view has not really changed. The songs are okay but they just don't grab me. I may also be influenced by my partner on this point though, her ex liked them and she thought he was pretentious. I have no reason to disagree. It's hard to say exactly why but they do come across as prouder of themselves than maybe they ought to be. I will not likely listen to this again.

Indie rock and chamber rock built from brooding guitars, slow-burning rhythms, atmospheric and orchestral arrangements, and weary baritone vocals feels like wandering through a city at night in heavy fog where every street seems to lead back to the same unresolved thought—moody, meticulous, and for me often more oppressive than affecting. The album excels at creating tension and atmosphere, but its emotional palette can feel so narrow that individual songs begin to merge together. What starts as introspective gradually risks becoming monotonous

New to me and I thought it was very good, would definitely listen again. 3.5

Interesting

My favourite was Conversation 16. It has a little more punch.

High Violet is the National at their most assured, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant — a career‑defining album that earns the highest marks for its songwriting, production, and emotional depth. I still owe money to the money I owe.

Not my vibe

Booooooriiiiiing

Indie funeral music

It's not even in my top 3 national albums and it's still pretty great

Well, that was average. Fairly standard by-the-book indie-lite album from 2010. Inoffensive, but not particularly special IMHO.

I don’t own the record, and I’ve never listened to it like this before—at least, I don’t recall doing so. The singer has a nice, deep voice. Sometimes there’s a bit too much synthesizer for my taste, but otherwise, it’s a good album to listen to. Personally, I prefer bands like Madrugada, Nick Cave, or Wilco; they offer more than just a somber, melancholic mood—you also get the occasional full-blown guitar storm.

Conversation 16 is my new fav song

🥱

They cooked with this one

not for me

Droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooone. Surely the album that actually inspired DJ Hennessy Youngman's "AWWW SAD WHITE GUY" drop in CVS Bangers. This album's only redeeming quality is that in the video for one of the songs the guy looks like annoying preppy Bryan Cranston

Pre Listen: The most modern album I've gotten so far I think. I have mixed expectations with the tracks from this list that cover the time I've been alive. On one hand cool, guess I missed this growing up. On the other hand, maybe I never heard it at any point in the past for a reason. Notable Tracks: Bloodbuzz Ohio - What does this have to do with Ohio? You could replace Ohio with anywhere else and the song wouldn't change at all. Ohio? Really? Post Listen: It's just...so boring? It feels so corporate. It feels like a band your pal at the office would recommend you, which finally convinces you they might just be an NPC. I don't know how to describe it. Maybe it's how nothing the lyrics are? Maybe it's how clean the guitar, drums, everything is? It's too clean, like going through a for-sale house under an open house, it's not lived-in. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, it was just...nothing? This is background music at a millennial café, or a car dealership, or something like that. I struggled through this album not because I hated it, but because of just how boring it was. Almost fell asleep! 2/5

WE LOVE THE NATIONAL. This is my bread and butter. Added like 3 songs from this album to the library and have listened to it quite a bit since. What a treat.

Highlights: Bloodbuzz Ohio, Afraid Of Everyone 2.7

Why would they pick this album by the National when the soundtrack to Cyrano was right there?

Never heard of or listened to these guys before but, they do seem quotes good and have a sick, dark, deep, melancholy, rock sound. It could get a bit a bit bland and unemotional and the lyrics are gibberish sometimes and got really overproduced at the end but, still pretty good! I’d recommend Terrible love, Sorrow, Afraid of everyone, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Runaway and Conversation 16.

This album is a vibe. Like the music over the closing credits of an Indie film. Not terribly melodic, but definitely moody. Great writing to boot.

I tried - I really did - but I just don't connect with the National.

5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-national/high-violet/ Casually dropping one of my all-time favorite albums right at my post-festival blue Monday is just diabolical. I fucking love The National. This album is what got me into them. Fantastic from start to end. No notes. Love it, always.

I really liked boxer and alligator, saw the National live and then was oddly put off by that dull, naval gazing experience. I've still got a nostalgic like for the earlier albums, but find there schtick pleasant but at times a bit boring and repetitive.

Average very average I can’t even remember it now

One or two on here are good, but they all sound a bit the same

Love this album

spoko ale lekki zmeczon

Повторю тейк про странный выбор релизов из 10х

Snooze fest

Standard indie album representative of its time. Nothing great, but not horrible either, just average.

Very chill start. I like their sound Initial reaction - their songs are all kinda sounding the same. I don't mind having it on in the background, but there haven't been any standout tracks so far. Amending my comment - the lead sings just about every song the same. The instrumentation does change. I can respect having a very specific, consistent sound. You get what you came for.

This album has some well-constructed songs, many of which gradually rise in tension/drama until an explosion of sound at the end.

I like the National. The lyrics are smart, the music is generally good and I don't mind his voice. It just seems like they make the same song over and over there is no differentiation

7/10 - a pleasant surprise, I knew about Bloodbuzz Ohio but the rest of the album is equally as good

Boring voice, boring everything

Grupo indie rock de los de milito

Terribly boring

Интересная музыка и вокал неплохой, хотя чего-то цепляющего не услышал.

One of those generic, absolutely formulaic bands that somehow gets popular once in a while.

Pretty ok. Some song would do pretty allright on a mix list. Will not listen to the whole album again.

Nothing life changing but that’s fine

First listen

Cincy homebrew rep

never heard of them, but i kinda liked it. mellow morning music.

This pretty much sounded like a guy singing over a white noise machine. It's wasn't terrible, just not very dynamic or memorable. I'll forget what this sounded like a month from now.

Was not expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. A Solid 3

Bland and boring, par for the course for early 2010s indie rock.

Did not love the album, but it had a good sound and stayed there the whole time. Buzzkill and Lemonworld were a great little back-to-back in the middle of the album.

I love The National.

like it!

This shit is millennial drab. It's a bunch of songs with this odd buildup that goes absolutely nowhere. Just sonic edging for about an hour. I really wanted to like it because I myself am a millennial but there are literally no redeemable qualities to any of these songs. Hate to see it.

Pretty cool but somber overall. I get the feeling that somber is kind of a common sound of this band. Seems like it was one of the early adopters of that kind of early-mid 2010s vibe type music. I enjoyed it.

Soo beautiful!!!

Boring

*2010 *I like the nationals a lot. *No standouts, but every song is solid . RATING - 7/10

Poor man's Nick Cave. Succeeds at being worse than U2. Will lull you to sleep with boredom rather than dulcet soothing tones.

One of my favorite albums of all time already.

3 stars This is enjoyable. I like the mix of post punk with a folkier sound. This album came out at the height of 00s indie. I hadn’t heard of the National and I kept hearing about this album. They were highly billed at Coachella 2011 and I had never heard of them. I gave the album a brief listen back in those days from an illegal download and couldn’t get past the opening track. I just wasn’t interested and no reason to invest. Years later I was driving Uber and I would make playlists of entire artist album catalog that I wasn’t familiar with to get into them. I got through Springsteen, Prince, and REM this way. At some point I went through the National. I liked their popular prior 2 albums of Alligator and Boxer. With context, High Violet feels very refined- they had a thing and they do it well. But that was years ago and I’ve almost never returned to their albums. Why? They’re pretty good, right? Yeah. But they don’t last in my consciousness. The emotion is nice but it just fades and feels like a brief memory. That’s how the music lands with me. I know I like it but they’d never be my favorite band, right? So it’s good. I think they deserve an album in this list and maybe this is a good representation. But I may go a few years before I think about this band again.

Muy disfrutable, me recuerda a Hurts por momentos. Nota: 3.5

eh. i love the first few albums, but after that they are all the same for me: decent.

Boring. Can I get at least one riff?

Couple good songs on here and one great one - I generally like the tone and sound of The National and their vocalist.

I had a mixed reaction. Music was a 4/5 but a lot of the lyrics made me cringe and were 2/5

Unmemorable

Tracks feel a bit samey, but I dig it nonetheless. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

I’m at a 5. Maybe just a little higher. Every now & then, a mirror can feel cathartic. The ability to look at a version of you that’s survived the worst & come out stronger is such a mental relief. I think this album is comprised of 11 tracks that are trying to be those cathartic mirrors – slightly exaggerated expressions of pressure, anxiety, stress & loneliness, meant to make certain listeners feel seen. If nothing else, I feel a little more seen, & in that sense, I think this album really worked for me. Instrumentally, I love the way it’s mixed; the very small wall of sound that gives the percussion a little more punch is done well, yet the vocals always being in the forefront of both that wall of sound & the percussion gives the album a little more intimacy that enhances the songwriting here. Like I said, it’s a little exaggerated (“Conversation 16” being the most ‘exaggerated’ example in terms of overthinking & its effect on a relationship), but taking these situations to logical semi-extremes enhances that mirroring effect a bit more. These are written in ways that can be easily visualized, for the most part, and even when the visualizations aren’t there, the instrumental tone of each track fills in those gaps. One might argue that these tracks settle into themselves at a certain point, & while that is generally true, I think the lack of a bigger release helps a lot of these tracks digest better. “Runaway” is an example of this; being forced to sit in the atmosphere of an impending struggle in that relationship without actively experiencing it makes the tension feel that much more palpable & lived in. It’s easy to think about what might come next, and thus, how to try to avoid the same scenario in your own life, or worse, relive what comes next. I never said a cathartic mirror was easy to look at. Matt Berninger’s vocals are fascinating to me; there’s not much of a natural lift to his voice & with a slight filtering / harmonization behind it, it gives it a neutral feel that definitely seems hit or miss to people. For my tastes, I think it really worked. There’s not a natural lift in terms of pitch, but there is a lift in terms of his cadence / emphasis. I think he knows exactly when to hit that lift & give some of the lines that are meant to hit harder their maximum effect. Obviously, that’s true of any competent singer, but what fascinates me about Matt Berninger is his ability to do it with more of a monotone / bassy baritone voice. There were a handful of times on this album where he went as low as that one guy from “69 Love Songs”, but I can’t remember that album having the same sense of presence on any of its tracks. Matt just feels imposing yet calm, and his narrative style works hand-in-hand with a lot of these tracks. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it really worked for me. Overall, I think it’s just a great 11 tracks, and while I understand some of the complaints here (drab/dreary tones, “artificial” conflict, etc), it just feels like those people were unable to get that sense of catharsis out of this. It’s one that either clicks or it doesn’t, and while I won’t disparage anyone if it doesn’t, I think hitting it with a 1 or 2 for that reason reflects an anger that the list just isn’t catering to their own taste. The floor here should be a 3, and the ceiling could be as high as a 10 for anyone that relates to ALL of these tracks. I’m a little higher than a 5. Make of that what you will. I’m very glad this was on the list, and I might need to seek out more of The National.

I didn't dislike this one, but it certainly wasn't a barrel of laughs either. Quiet, introspective, maybe even a little melancholy. The kind of record that makes you appreciate the silence afterward. It's not even that the tracks are poorly crafted or anything; they're well-produced and polished. But they don't exactly burst with energy either. A real Nick Cave feel, but not in the most impactful way. It's solidly mid-tier.. not amazing, not terrible. It's just there. If you're into quiet, introspective indie rock, you'll probably enjoy this one enough. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Terrible Love - Sorrow - Bloodbuzz Ohio

This was fine, but really not for me. I was just bored a lot of the time. Indie rock has always been kind of a mixed bag for me. 2/5

That was boring. I've already forgotten how it sounds and I played it Yesterday!

Really enjoyed the first track, found the middle to be a bit more forgettable then ended strong. Nice album overall.

выйти закурить. оч похоже на bleachers. альбом утомил. никакой динамики. местами звук плосковат👎 но были милые моменты хз

Enjoyed in places

Mig rekur bara til minnis að hafa heyrt Bloodbuzz Ohio áður, en þarna er eitthvað stórgott. Endurtekningarsamur texti sem virkar eins og gott drón, skemmtilegur hljóðheimur og eftirminnileg lög. Ekki fullkomið, en algjörlega mér að skapi.

i feel like i definitely heard these guys before. i couldn't name any of their songs, but i recognise the vocal style. bro sounds like he hasn't slept in weeks.... yeah idk it's like, fine? kinda makes me think of coldplay if coldplay were very slightly more musically interesting. the compositions are fairly solid i guess but it does still feel like music designed to be played in the sad moments of a tv drama, as was the style at the time for depressing rock music. it's very similar to arcade fire in that regard, with its tendency towards a dramatic sound and its overall defeated tone. although, as much as arcade fire piss me off, at least they sometimes came through with a song that stood out as being pretty good? but this album is kinda just consistently average throughout. i really wanted call the national "arcade fire but good", but the reality is closer to "arcade fire but more samey and less annoying". this is yet another album where i don't really see why its on the list. its ok, but there's better picks even within the same year. like, danger days dropped 6 months after this, and that didn't make the cut? but these 47 minutes of mids, we absolutely have to listen to these before we die?? i don't understand it at all. once again i am left wondering what the fuck we're even doing here.

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands, and indisputably the single album I have listened to the most out of the 1001+, but it's one that's kind of hard to gush about. Yeah, it's pretentious indie to many points of view, no argument here, but it resonates hard with me. Maybe it was the transcendent first listening session back in 2016 while high on the porch. I do admit I'm curious why this album was chosen over Boxer, or even Trouble Will Find me. But I am even more curious on the exact justification for its removal from the 1001 Albums book editions after 2011, and I promise I wont get defensive about it. I have some fav songs from this album, like I'm always singing "Bloodbuzz Ohio" in the shower and "Little Faith" vibrates with a melodrama I can't resist, but I also understand how on the whole for most listeners, High Violet doesn't have standouts. The lyricism sometimes comes off more shallow than the evoked mood(s), and the number of NYC callouts is at least 1:1 per song. But I do enjoy the visuals, even when they're a bit non sequitur. In spite of that, this album has some of my favorite instrumentation from The National, which is where it's a standout for me. Boxer would be miles easier to fawn over. I am going to show off my bias by giving High Violet a 5, even if I know in my heart it is closer to a 4 when compared to the rest of their discography -- but hey -- that isn't here.

fine. idk melenial bull shit tbh

Не чув цих також) Інді-рок, ну таке.

Blander than overcooked cauliflower.

Really great album. Glad I found this band!

Bra! Lyssnat på gruppen till och från genom åren och gillar mycket av det de gjort. Bloodbuzz ohio är en favorit, England och Conversation 16 likaså. Ett bra album om än inte perfekt för mig. Matt Berningers röst är fantastisk!

Absolutely beautiful, atmospheric album

This is pretty good, but I just can't get into a lot of new bands. They really don't make it like they used to.

Nachere lange allgemeine Musigpause het mer The National ganz guet pässlet. Biz zwenig für es 4i aber eig acho besser wie es durchschnitts-3.

Two early-aughts indie albums of great importance to me back to back. I know this band is not everybody’s bag and it is pretty essential dad rock. But I really love this band and I really love this album. I like bands whose songs are (deceptively) simple - because every note counts. Especially so on an album like this.

Unique sound, but a little tiring and too much same-same over almost an hour and a half.

I knew a little bit of The National (2013's Trouble Will Find Me), and always really liked their aesthetic - dude's voice is amazing too. I enjoyed that album, but this one is on another level. Fantastic production and songwriting all throughout; sombre and beautiful. I can't even list favourite tracks, the whole thing is amazing.

THE BEES NO NOT THE BEES. Ya ever get whisked away to Ohio on a swarm of Bees? If you did, would you write a better album than the first guy that "rode the yellow-black wave"? The National doing their best Kings of Leon takes us straight to the overpriced gastropub. There is an in-house tattoo artist for all the finger moustaches your fingies can handle. Do one on every finger! If you do the Hitler pinkie it's 25% off Jimmy's classic "Fuck you" peanut Butter Bacon Burger. It's going to be an EPICSAUCE XD night 2 remember. Insufferable late oughts backing track for fedora clad, suspenders wearing Neil Diamond who seems like the type of guy to feign mental illness to score with psych ward chicks. I have used the word "insufferable" repeatedly in my journey through musical hell, and it is back at front of mind as I stare into this art-less abyss. Aside from the occasional fun lyric, this is nothing. This is an empty chalkboard in an abandoned school, without any of the emotional poignance. If these dorks rented studio time and hesitated into a microphone, I would've had a better time. WHERE ARE THE INSTRUMENTS?? There is no music, and there is a truly horrible singer who sounds like he deeply kisses the mirror each morning. Get this away from me. 0 GENRE: 2011 Barn Wedding to 2026 "Ethical" Non-Monogamy Pipeline

7/10 Solid album. I've found it hard to get excited about the National, certainly to the extent that friends do, but I enjoy their brand of chugging indie.

Anhedonia, the album.

it just seems so fucking ordinary. Like, the album was made to appeal to suburban housewives that would consider it edgy. The song "England" is alright, but after the piano intro it just drones on for an eternity. Basic bitch-ass album.

New to me, nothing special but listenable. Didn't miss anything and no wiser of the listen,

Good but not memorable

I do like some ethereal instrumentation and beautiful guitars and piano melodies, but I do not like it when I feel like I'm hearing the same ideas and composition throughout the whole album. As stated, this album is quite atmospheric and sometimes delicate. All the instruments are bath in big reverb, giving the sound a lot of space, and the tone overall tone is very sad and dramatic. However, I'm not really buying its drama. The instrumentation is fine, but I believe the vocals are what truly feels unauthentic. They are incredibly one-dimensional, often hearing the same melodies, expression and tone from the singer. Maybe the lyrics are more sincere, but not his singing, or I at least believe that. Another aspect that did contribute to my negative opinion is that the progressions of the songs are not interesting. The vast majority of the tracks in here follow a linear composition. What I mean by this is that they lack a structure such as the traditional verse - chorus- verse - chorus , and instead, they focus on developing over the a singular idea by adding and subtracting layers and elements and having no real distinct parts. This is not what makes me dislike it, I think it is just another valid way of composing. My problem lays in the songs not reaching any truly captivating concept, so must of the time I'm listening to something that is nowhere and does not go anywhere. So, despite of having some decent sounding ambience, I think overall, it is very stale and boring, specially the second half as the band doesn't offer anything new.

It's like Beirut if you really narrowed the dynamic range. Soulful but almost monotone

Interesting sound, but not a lot of variety to it

This kind of sounds like Michael Gira doing karaoke over Neon Bible era Arcade Fire. If I had put out an album in 2010 and someone said that I would have probably been thrilled. Something about this makes the overall sound not work for me. I really like the textural guitar effects. There was something bugging me about the drums in a few songs that I can't articulate but maybe it was just too much toms or something. There's just a melodramatic feel to the whole thing that kind of bothered me.

I really tried to get through this album but it was just the same thing - a song with a couple riffs repeated and droning voice.

Heard a different album from them before. This is the sort of thing you hear passing by some small stage at a festival on your way to a better gig and nothing more than that. I can't believe they are so popular among indie millennials. Nothingburger 2/5

Somber tone is a bit repetitive repetitive... and a bit formulaic, but does pull you in (for better or worse). Its an album that you can definitely throw on and it fits - and has a number of decent tracks, but if you played 3 songs and gave me the names I probably wouldn't be able to pick them better than out of a hat.

When I listened to it, I wondered what I was feeling... because understood rationally that this music is emotional or sounds emotional. But I didn't feel anything, and I'm indifferent to the whole album. Even though it has everything I usually love to lose myself in... nothing grabs me or moves me

Too low and slow

Didn't hate it, but couldn't find much to like either.

So, I didn't love it. I didn't necessarily dislike anything, but it is pretty boring. It doesn't go on too long though so that is good. I feel like it wouldn't be so bad if I got to know the songs, but I just don't think that will happen any time soon.

Somehow this is incredibly boring and obnoxiously annoying at the same time. 0.5/5.0: Unlistenable

there arent many albums on the list with as little personality as this

Music for dads, this isn't a criticism. This album explores leaving your single life and settling down with a wife and kids and does it very well. The drumming especially is fantastic but also musical and lyrical excellent. Highlights -Conversation 16, England and Terrible Live

This sounded like something you'd hear at a modern church, but in a good way - it had a larger than life sound throughout.

Very nice and cozy.

High Violet is not as great as Boxer, The National’s best, but it is great nonetheless. Highlights aplenty, among them Terrible Love, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Lemonworld, Runaway, and England. Sorry but Vanderlyle is overrated, and this is coming from a fan of the band.

Not bad but in no way memorable

Kinda boring (and not in a good way).

Have heard of the national Have heard high violet I really like this Album, it's got some great songs. moody, atmospheric. but I don't think itvis strong or influential enough to belong in the list.

Another one of those bands that are in the "vaguely heard of, not sure I could name one of their songs" group. This album is what I think of as "typical indie sadboi." The instrumentation and vocals are absolutely soaked in reverb, to the point that it felt like more of a texture than a vocal. This did make it a little difficult to understand the lyrics, but the general tone of sadness, ennui, and bleakness came through. The songs do seem to be all build up to a climax that never quite arrives, but none of them outstay their welcome. The standout tracks for me were "Sorrow," "Bloodbuzz Ohio," and "England." I quite liked the album, and it definitely feels like it might grow on me with further listens.

Emotional and good

Grew on me. Stopped and listened to Runaway.

Love this album; actually heard in same year it came out; I felt caught up!

Not terrible, but just not very interesting I'm afraid

Vibe de fou

I rather enjoyed this, but it is just standard late 2000s- early 2010s indie rock at the end of the day.

Never been able to be a National fan. It all just washes out to background noise. All big swells and there is an awful lot going on for it to just sound bland. But that’s what I hear.

Sweet, sad record. Didn't change my world, but nice to know it's there

i feel like i just listened to the same song in a different font for 47 minutes

One of the first indie rock albums I got into. Bloodbuzz Ohio is one of my favorite songs.

Favorite Track: Conversation 16

Got bored. Didn’t finish

Dreary and monotonous. Difficult for me to understand how this band became so popular given how uninspiring it is. It's not that it's bad, it's just unimaginative and dull. Takes some elements from 90s grunge rock, and it does have some beautiful compositions, but this is just not a record I would listen to with regularity.

Surprisingly listenable

I don’t know why but I’m just not into this band that much, from the little bit I have heard. It feels like something I should be.

On its own, fine, whatever. But there's this musical trend of, what if we make our audio sound like it's poor quality, mumble, and say the same thing repeatedly for 5 minutes straight. I don't know if I can become convinced that it's just a new, cool, quality style.

How this group never hit my radar is a mystery to me! Wow!! Just awesome! Hardly ever notice the drumming but did on this album. I will explore their ENTIRE library! I don't have a problem, YOU have the problem.

Would have given 4 if it had "About Today".

Perfectly ok.

Imo the 4th best album by the national

3.5

Efter at have lyttet til albummet 4ish gange; aktivt, passivt, og afbrudt er dommen klar. Det er behageligt, dragende, dynamisk, og lidt tørt. Lyttet har ikke ændret min grundlæggende fornemmelse for The National.

The National er topklasse indie melodier. Matt Berningers vokal er fascinerende og drager mig ind i hans lyriske univers af selvhad og tungsind. Men det er trommerne der katapulterer The National op i en klasse hvor kun få bands/kunstnere kan være med. Mens de andre luller rundt i indie-depression, store lydflader og smukt skøbelige melodier, har Bryan Devendorf en fest på sit trommekit. Der sker så meget, og det driver musikken frem på en måde der giver åndenød.

2.5 - Might have liked this type of thing around 10 years ago. Pretty boring tbh

Kuuntelin vaan paria biisiä, ei iskenyt. 1,5/5.

calm

Loved it.

Has a Interpol feel to it but without the high highs.

Amazing album

Sorrow Little Faith Conversation 16 England

Afraid of Everyone Buzzblood Ohio Lemonworld Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Nice. 4.1

“It takes an ocean not to break.” I can’t believe that I was 13 the first time I listened to this album. I didn’t really get it at the time but enjoyed the music itself enough, but I’m old enough now to tap into the feelings it imparts. And it hurts! There’s gravity to both Berninger’s writing and his voice. Aaron Dessner’s production rises to the occasion to create an album that’s both stormy and laser-focused. Despite the middling tempos of most of these songs they make me want to take off running. I think it’s the percussion. The band is tight as a vise. It’s a heavy listen that I don’t come back to very often, but when I do it really moves me. “England” is equal parts devastating and invigorating to me.

Whilst it’s a good album technically I don’t think I was feeling mopey enough to really appreciate this

Oh, The National, never change.

Grand National, multi-National, inter-national

I owe this album for two things. First, my introduction to The National. I was slow onto the band, my discovery coming with High Violet. Second, they headlined Latitude in 2011, the year I returned to music festivals. This is a beautiful collection of songs, driven by the drums and bass of the Devendorf brothers, the guitars of the Dessner brothers, and Matt Berninger's baritone. And is there a better pop song than Bloodbuzz Ohio? Five stars for an album which is arguably not even their best.

Note to self. Listen to The National more

There's a theory that albums are like sweets: the easier they are to like, the quicker that you get sick of them. And this is where 1001 scoring needs special care, because you might only give albums you've not heard before a decent rating if they have immediate impact. But that might well mean it doesn't stay on rotation for long. And wtaf does this have to do with today's album you might ask. Well, I submit that The National's music reveals itself over multiple listens. Each occasion uncovers further nuance until you finally appreciate each song for the fragile thing of wonder that it is. And if you've stayed with the argument this far you've earned the right to know that this is why I'm going to give this album a high rating despite not having heard it before and not being quite sure what to make of it on first listen. But also because I've heard enough promise to trust that this will be a grower. 4*

I don’t fully trust The National. The tunes kind of slap, yet whenever I let my ears tune into the lyrics... Just consider the opener. “It’s a terrible love and I’m walking with spiders…it takes an ocean not to break…” This is poetry unbecoming a grown up. This is the poetry where self-pity is just self-aggrandizement in disguise. It makes me recoil in my spirit. But the tunes kind of slap. I am conflicted in my ranking, but have historically been generous when waffling. That said, The National should consider itself on notice if they pop up again: be better.

Poor man’s Interpol

AH-mazing. I love this band so much it hurts. I listened to the expanded edition and the alternate version of Terrible Love is insanely good. I immediately went online to order a vinyl copy for myself.

I felt like the National shifted a bit in their music after this album, so this is the last National album that i listened to a lot, but still probably only my third favourite National Album. It is still good though. I played bloodbuzz ohio to death at the time, but songs like little faith, Afraid of everyone, LemonWorld, anyone's ghost, Conversation 16 and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks are just as good and memorable. This is a solid album that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks is maybe my standout . 4 stars

Velvety indie rock that flows together into a nice soundscape. This isn't a flavor of music I reach for often, but I can appreciate it.

Definitely 2010s rock

Very deep voice.

Good God I love this band. I love this album. I love every song on this album so much. This album has been with me since I was a teenager and it’s beautiful and haunting and relevant and revelatory every time I listen to it. Love this shit. So happy it’s here and that I got to listen to it again.

Meh. Not horrible. But definitely forgettable/

I found this interesting. It merits further listening.

This guys voice is so fucking boring. The general public has the worst taste in music.

FAVS (top 3): terrible love, sorrow, conversation 16 mençoes honrosas: anyone's ghost, little faith, bloodbuzz ohio, runaway, england, vanderlyle crybaby geeks um OOOOOOOOOOOOOOTIMO lindo muito bom de ouvir quando vc precisa ouvir nao sei oq a letra diz mas toda a composiçao é maravilhosa e ouvi em um momento muito bom tambem, eu AMEI ouvir esse album e as primeiras tracks e umas do final KKKKKKKKKK meio q o album inteiro deu pra ouvir como se a musica tivesse saindo do meu coraçao eu amei de mais gente amei mesmo! otimo projeto pra se ouvir por inteiro! nota final: 5/5

77/100. The songwriting is so strong, and the mood sticks with you. One of those albums that feels understated at first, then slowly grows on you the more time you spend with it. Such a well written record, it really caught me off guard how much it pulled me in.

nah

Shoutout to The National who like me are from CINCINNATI OHIO... #cincinnatimentioned... Don't let "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (great track) scare you off—it's a super underrated city, tbh, and probably even nicer if you don't personally have any memories of teenaged angst or loveless homes tied to it. Stop by sometime when I'm back in town and I'll give you a tour!

Notas: Algunas canciones estaban un poco sobre saturadas de efectos pero no estuvo mal Puntaje: 6/10

Solid but nothing too impressive

(2.5) just not really my thing

Not my cup of tea. Didn't hate it. Didn't love it either.

Wish I could give 3.5. Really consistently excellent album.

Enjoyable Forgettable

Honestly,I don’t know what to say I just enjoyed the album I can’t say much more.

It’s not super unique, nor is it the most compelling music in the world… but I was in the perfect mood for this today. Maybe I’d be more critical on another day, but I liked it a lot.

Hilariously bland. If this was released today, I'd assume someone had AI generate an indie rock album for them. On the other hand, it's also completely inoffensive. Perfect music to play at a hippie coffee shop.

I listened to this one a bunch when it was new. It pairs perfectly with a grey and rainy Pacific Northwest winter. One of my favorites.

Boring indie rock that sounds the same as the hundreds of bands that came before them.

I had only heard of The National before this point. I was glad that they didn't sound like the Black Keys or Dirty Projectors, but none of the songs really excited me much. Very plain. 2.5/5 -> 3/5

Hated it, kind of depressing