High Violet

Moody and somber , it operates in a cure esque space for me but not as strong not the melodic Enjoyed the atomphere

Off the cuff remark: it's all very nice with it's understated dramatics!? but it just passes by with nothing standing out. Standout track: perhaps "England" but that's clutching at straws a bit Revisit?: I will be listening to the National again - I have several of their albums. Just not very inspiring.

Very 2010s

Hidasta tempoa, tunnelmointia, oikein mukavaa taustamusiikkia hyvällä maulla. Mieslaulaja rauhallinen

It was ok, not my favorite. Felt sort of repetitive and depressing

This was fine. The music was good. But the lead singers voice is boring. Its like he almost starts building to some kind of crescendo. But it never happens. This band has muscle to spare, but refuses to use it.

listened to this twice and both times it sort of faded into the background. solid tho. could i write poetry to this? n

As it happens I’m very much in the process of discovering The National. This was prompted would you believe by Taylor Swift. Aaron Dessner has featured in her last few albums and his contribution has led me to his own music and as a result I have bought this album so now know it quite well. It did pass me buy when released in 2010 so this proves it is never too late to discover and appreciate new talent. As many have said a lot of the tracks do merge into one another but the overall ambiance of the music is nice to have in the background. 3/5 18/6/25

I'd heard really good things about The National in the past. I was hoping for the best, but I can't say this one blew me away. It was alright, but didn't really get me. Liked: "Bloodbuzz Ohio", "England" Really didn't like: "Lemonworld"

really love some, but they all kinda blend together. personal faves are anyone’s ghost and little faith ok wait i love runaway a lot actually back half is stronger

enjoy deep voice

Nice background music but not my go to pick

Lots of songs sound the same, but they are quite enjoyable.

I've not listened to it for quite a while - but I recall it as being pretty good.

A bit generic, but well made. Not my favourite genre. It was a good listen though.

I liked this at first - slow, sad music with a deep-voiced singer is usually a winner. It felt like it never really went anywhere, though, and the album started to feel pretty mediocre in the second half. Favorite: Afraid of Everyone 3-3.5?

The singer on this album sounds like David Bowie on certain songs. Prior to yesterday, I hadn't listened to any of The National's discography. "High Violet" is too mellow for repeated listening. My favourite tracks are "Bloodbuzz Ohio" and "Sorrow". So, that's another album off the list. 3 stars for "High Violet".

New artist to me. Songs were pretty good, just a little melancholy for my music tastes.

Decent little album. I think I was expecting something a little more Americana from the artist name, and was surprised how post-punky this was. 3.2/5

I have never understood the draw of The National. I was hoping this album would convince me otherwise, but it was just ok. I don't see any reason to revisit it, and I have FOMO that I don't get it. 2.5/5

I listened and it started off well with a good build up. I listened some more hoping for a peak, but it remained at the same line. It's decent, but I was hoping for something more.

It was of the era. A solid album of melancholic rock sound that misses the certain something.

Listenable.

Helt okej att lyssna till på jobbet, men lämnade inget beständigt intryck. Trea.

Nice album that falls within the national/ Arcade fire parameters

Its not bad. Some really great tunes.

Big lyrics in here- not my every day vibe but could be in the mood every so often.

I didn't mind this, it had a very Gang Of Youths feel (or does Gang Of Youths have a very The National feel?) Bloodbuzz Ohio was the standout, it was good enough to be added to my playlist of favourites. Sometimes consistency can be a drag, but I would note that these guys had a consistency that I appreciated.

The National is always listenable and this is a solid album

Pretty good album, definitely a bit sad. Felt like their sound wasn’t crazy unique but still over all solid.

Track 1: I love when songs get really climatic and create huge and encompassing atmospheres that are both overstimulating and beautiful. Great opener. ⭐️ Track 2: I like the layering of high and low end instrumentation. Track 3: A little simpler, I like the bass. Has a more traditional pop structure/sound to it. Track 4: I love layers omg I love layers. I’m a sucker for a pretty background pad. Didn’t get as “epic” as it set up to be, still pretty good. Track 5: I really like the chords built by the background vocals and pads. Track 6: this guy needs a cough drop Track 7: Really pretty opening sequence. The rest of the song is alright, it kind of settles pretty early. Track 8: I like the horns. I wish it picked up a bit more with drums or a climax or maybe was a bit shorter. 🥀 Track 9: Drums in the second half were great. Also really pretty guitar. Track 10: Strings and drums are always a great combo. Track 11: I like the layered vocals for the climax ending. Solid: range of 3/5

Found it kind of boring tbh. Not horrible but not great. 5 or 6 /10. Listening again right now because the first listen wasn’t all in one go. First few songs weren’t bad and second listen bumped it up to a solid 6

Definitely a good album, high 3 a little too sad for my liking

Enjoyable. I’ll probably never listen to this album again, but it was good while it lasted. Classic indie rock vibes

Pretty generic.

Better than I expected.

2.5 Did someone force them to record this at 3am? And there comes the graphic designer... my man I get you, I also hate it when there's only 10 minutes to the deadline and I still haven't got anything done

son buenos pero cansinos para todo un lp

This album is not bad per se, but it sticks to the same mood and sound, and ends up feeling like one long, vaguely emo road trip with no real destination.

Why are indie “rockers” incapable of making any fucking sense? Every other genre has songs that are about things. About dancing; about relationships; about drugs; about something. But not indie music. “You and your sister live in a lemon world; I want to sit in and die.” WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!!???? Make sense! It’s not that hard. Sure, use poetic language to express yourself, but Jesus, express something other than “here are some words maybe they mean something maybe not who knows”. God I hate you Brooklyn hipster doofuses.

332/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

This album isn't bad, but it's boring asf. I really wish we had a 10 point scale instead of a 5. This would be a great candidate for a 4/10. 3/5

I struggled getting into this album. It has all the "bones" of music I like, but something just didn't click for me. Terrible Love was a strong opener and I like other songs here and there (Sorrow, Afraid Of Everyone), but there were also some songs that just sounded bad (Lemonworld, England, Vanderlye). I probably land at just a 3 here.

I've tried getting into The National in the past to no success. Here goes again. I am having the same experience here. For the most part I find the music enjoyable with solid writing, but as a whole it falls into a weirdly sleepy territory that doesn't do much for me. Honestly I think more than anything it is the deep, lazy sounding vocals that turn me off. That and an impression that the instrumentation, while decent, has a production that feels almost too polished -- as though it is trying to sound big and important. That said, there are a few songs that stood out a bit more than the rest. Anyone's Ghost has a nice quality to it -- I enjoy the thump and what sounds like an oboe used throughout. Runaway is a nicely written. Also album closer Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks was probably my favorite here. For me this exists in a middle area between fine and good. Solid 3.

We're on a folky kick and maybe I'm not in the mood for folk or I just need my head checked. This one had some spacey/shoegaziness to it that reminded me of Radiohead at times. This one will land in the forgettable list when I look back at this project. Low 3.

Some really cool music with a singer who sounds like he is crying at some times. I liked the singing on some of the songs but not on others. But overall was a nice album with the instruments. This is a high 3

actually not my type, i kinda like it tho

Love the music, love his voice. I never quite got in to The National, like many of my peers did. Not really sure why, but this album didn't grab me like I was expecting it to. It's kind of a one-note album, and while that note is solid...I think maybe I'd enjoy some of their others more than this one.

This album is fine. This kind of rock music should be right up my lley, but having listened to this effort a couple of times it just doesn't do much for me. It's not awful, but shouldn't be anywhere near this list. If you did enjoy this album, I would suggest listening to Manchester Orchestra who are in a similar vein, but make much more interesting albums.

It's fine, but not grabbing me.

77% Best: Sorrow; Anyone's Ghost; Bloodbuzz Ohio Must-Hear? Not quite

Not bad national album

3.5. may have to revisit this one in the future because i don't feel like i was in the right mood for this one.

Quite enjoyed the mellow depressing vocals alongside the chilled rock band setup but it did get a bit samey after a while

Forgetable indie stuff meh baby.

Sounds like a less happy version of Elbow. Never really listened to this band properly, I just dismissed them as yet more generic retro indie landfill, which isn't necessarily inaccurate but it's done well and pleasant enough. Just not enough spark for me to justify the hype. I wonder if they'll still be unfathomably adored the same way 20 years from now?

Fine. The one song about Ohio stands out, but I prefer the Dan Deacon about Ohio.

Perfectly fine indie. Sounded nice but didn't try to push any boundaries

This album was solid But I just felt like something was missing in every track. I'll probably listen to it again someday, but not sure when that day will be. Felt very 2010s both good and bad.

Starts off so strong but gets monotonous after a while

This wasn't too bad, but I felt like it needed more something. The basslines and drums were great most of the time, but I wish some of the tracks had more energy.

Overall I thought this album was decent. It did not blow me away but did have some decent songs in it.

Doesn’t move me at all. My life goals or worldview hasn’t changed a rather mediocre album

decent indie rock. It wore thin on me fairly quick. This particular style of music and singing is just either hit or miss for me, thankfully its pretty good throughout.A bit of a downer in terms of feel, was glad when it wrapped.

I like the National - ‘thoughtful’ comes to mind when I listen to them. Interesting, emotional heartfelt sound

I get why people like it, but not for me.

I think it would be a good fit with the right mood in autumn. Its good when the mood matches, otherwise it could be a bit boring or just doesnt feel right. Enjoyed the listen and will get a spin later this year!

i liked this more than i expected! has a really cool hazy sound that i like

6/10 Album indie rock interessante con alcune tracce che mi riascolterei, ma niente di rivoluzionario

Rock, 2010 -> 3

Not in love with it but well made

I've never been able to get excited about these guys. The songs are cool enough. But there's a sheen of meh that glosses over their sound. Maybe it's the arrangements or the performances. i don't know. Even when they were rocking out it didn't sound like anyone was terribly excited to be there. Still, giving this less than a 3 seems mean.

Dachte es wird so langweilig wie Bon Hiver, nein, es ging, die Instrumentals hatten was und der Gesang nervte nicht so extrem. War aber trotzdem etwas zu eintönig für meinen Geschmack.

Interesting but to much variance in my opinion of songs to rate higher

6.5/10

First song was pretty good, the rest did not move me.

Pretty good indie rock. Not completely blown away, but good.

Not as good as the other album I know of them, but I enjoyed it.

C'était sympa. Rien de particulièrement mémorable, mais loin d'être inécoutable.

nossa senhora, esse trouxe memórias da adolescência com força ainda assim é extremamente mediano

sutil até demais esse aqui. definitivamente pra ser escutado num humor específico. dito isso, num eh ruim nao. achei que fica faltando um salzinho, mas as vezes dá pra curtir a comida sem tempero mesmo.

It’s OK

Solid 3. Reminds me a bit of Get Well Soon.

I remember The National being a pretty popular band around this time, with a lot of DJs and producers remixing their tracks. Whenever I checked out the original versions of some of those remixes, they never left much of a lasting impression. Listening to this album now, I kind of feel the same way. It’s definitely not bad, it’s a solid product of its time, but it sounds like the average indie rock bands of that era. While it wasn’t an unpleasant listen, nothing about it really stands out, and I can already tell this will be one of those easily forgettable albums for me.

as an 00s indie music enjoyer, i'm a little particular about what i enjoy and what i don't. even though at the time, i liked a lot of music that was similar to the national, i never actually listened to them until now. the album wasn't bad, but was also not really my thing. it was pleasant enough but really didn't leave much of an impression. to me, it felt like standard indie fare for the time. not an all timer for me, but acceptable. but really, that's all it is to me, acceptable.

A pleasant enough listening experience. I am impressed by the extremely lush and uplifting arrangements throughout, but at no point does it particularly move me or go anywhere. Vocals are pretty lacklustre. Best Tracks: - Sorrow - Bloodbuzz Ohio - England Worst Tracks: - Lemonworld Rating: 6/10

Solid alternative/indie that shows qualities of what the genre was like in the late 2000's/early 2010's. My only issue is that I kept waiting for this to take that next step, but it never did.

There’s a lot to enjoy about this album, but there was nothing particularly special. I was working with my partner during it and we felt very relaxed and were singing along here and there. Signs of Coldplay, fleet foxes, bon iver, etc. I’ll probably listen to more of their work

It’s not their best. Not by a long way. When this came out I was so psyched about it I listened with a really positive ear and took away songs like Conversation 16 and of course Bloodbuzz ans said yep, this album is amazing but over the years I didn’t revisit it and now, well… I dislike way more songs than I like. Overall though, the vibe is good, very The National. And the singles from the album, basically perfect.

I usually love The National, Boxer is such a great album but this album feels repetitive and boring compared to it.

Having a hard time with this rating, I need to give it a deeper listen. I tended to like it more after some time with it.. giving it 3/5 for now

I feel like I would like this more with different, production and instrumentation and voice. Sounds ridiculous but there is a core of something in there that I really like but the way it is presented is dull. Want to give it a 3.5. I suspect it is a bit of a grower though

No começo não gostei, no final parecia que tava no começo...sério, até que gostei sim...indie low fi

better than average by a bit

Take Morrissey, add a dash of Arcade Fire, stir in just a pinch of Bruce Springsteen and you have this album. Despite that, I actually didn’t hate it. I’m in kind of a morose mood because Arsenal drew Fulham, so it fits.

Nonchalant poems Deeply sung over droning Melodic fuzzes

Never heard the band before this. Glad that I did. I like the vocalist's voice. No single song stood out to me but good album.

Very interesting. Heard of them but never listened to them. Started off mildly intrigued but the album grew on me the further I went. So much so that I listened again with headphones on. Like the arrangements and the mood. Vocals excellent too. But it just didn’t quite hit the mark overall. I will have another listen to a playlist of their other work as there’s something there. Might be a grower!

Not really listened to this band, my brother has mentioned I should listen to them on occasion, and I can now see why. There is an element of melancholy and sadness about these songs, a world weary sound. I'm sure with further listens there will be standout tracks, but on one listen, all the songs sort of went on there similar merry (or not so merry) way. Definitely something I shall listen to again, but good enough for a 3 star score

good

omg niin vibes.. tämä on niin tärkeä albumi mulle.. nuoruus.. tää tarkottaa niin paljon mulle omg.. tätä se oli.. tätä se elämä oli.. niin tärkeä albumi, koko maailmalle omg. pelkäsin, pelkäsin ennen tätä, mutta tämä pelasti minut... niin tärkee albumi mulle... mul oli iilimatoi pilis... suru. olin surunaamainen.. toi niin paljon lämpöä sydämmeen.. the lyrics are raw and honest and really make you think... mietiskelen tossa äsken kuinka raa'at ja rehelliset ja kuinka paljon pisti mietiskelemään, ehkä pohtimaan, posturoimaan pisti.... niin tärkee albumi omg mun elämän vaikeimmissa ajoissa niin tärkee... kunnes nämä pojat pinsetit kourassa kaivoi kikkelistäni ne ulos... kiitos.. terrible love

relaxing but nothing special

Really love this album, the national just have a melodic sound that becomes so easy to listen to. Though not my favourite album of theirs

Chill vibes and I saved a few songs to stay in my rotation. Very much a band that found their sound but maybe doesn’t want to stray too far from it. There were a few times you could feel more energy creeping in and it’s almost like they noticed and intentionally went back to being blasé or nonchalant about it because that’s cooler. This is a headphones on in a crowded room album so that when someone asks who you’re listening to you can say you probably haven’t heard of them. Cigarettes and black coffee and the newest iPhone.

Nice low voice. Overall sad feeling songs.

3/5. It has that stereotype of 2000s rock of quiet and intimate voice with loud guitar and drums in the background. His voice is not common, low and not quite monotone but creating that energy on purpose. It's a nice change of pace of the higher pitched vocalists. I did like a few songs on here and I could recommend this to someone I can guess could like it. Don't wanna say it's game changing but it's good and I could see myself throwing it on every now and then. Best Song: Bloodbuzz Ohio, Sorrow, Runaway

I'm always excited when newer bands show up on this list, getting recognition amongst all the legacy acts. I'm not quite sure what to make of this one though. It sounds like a post rock band decided they needed a goth singer for some reason. I've given it a couple of listens through and it isn't really growing on me.

First track wasn’t really a fan of but the album gets a better after that the next couple tracks “Sorrow” & “Anyone’s Ghost” are really good This album is pretty one note and maybe a tad hipster pretentious but if the mood is right for this type of music I’d listen again. Probably more so in if a song came on but if I had to listen to the whole album I could get into it’s feeling if I dig deep These type of vocals arnt my type of thing but there is some nice experimentation and production with the music. If this was produced a little different I think I’d dislike it more. Either way it’s a light 3

Every The National record sounds the same and is a little boring. Feels so much longer than its runtime good songs but just so samey

This one was interesting. Nothing really dragged me in, but didnt really push me away i guess? Sorta 3.6 vibes.

There was a customer at a place I used to work at that was all in with The National. He frequently went to the States to see the band play and ventured off to the UK one summer to see several of their shows. Up to that point I hadn't listened to the band, so I was curious and seeked out their music. I must say, with High Violet and their other albums, the music is fine, but wasn't overly impressed. They sounded not unlike other indie bands from the 2000's, but nothing really stood out that made me want to hear more. There isn't anything wrong or unappealing about their music and overall it's a pleasant listen. It's just that I can't hear what the hype was about or hear what could set them apart from other similar bands. Good album, just okay band.

Take the more melancholy elements of Arcade Fire and mix them with the melancholy elements of Wilco, Mercury Rev, and a bottle of cough medicine and you get this. Melancholy. The strongest feeling I took away from this was a renewed wish for a more nuanced scoring system for this project. Not bad enough for a 2 but not quite good enough for a 3. I’ll round up since the vocals were good, even if the lyrics were numbing.

I think I like this? Like Radiohead, I feel like there's something here I'm just not quite getting. Definitely got some talent and I should listen to more of them. 3.5*, but I can't quite round up to 4.

Fine

Couple songs in I was enjoying but then my god did it really start to drag. Bit depressing but not in an exhilarating way like Radiohead, just a bit exhausting by the end. Nice music for the background, but I couldn't imagine absolutely loving them and seeing them life. Jesus, of all the bands... 4* for the first bit until it wears you down to a 2*.

I had more previous with this album than I realised. Bloodbuzzzz is one of my favourite songs of all time, but I find a whole album of The National quite dreary. Fave Tracks: Terrible Love, Bloodbuzz Ohio 3.3/I had more previous with this album than I realised. Bloodbuzzzz is one of my favourite songs of all time, but I find a whole album of The National quite dreary. Fave Tracks: Terrible Love, Bloodbuzz Ohio 3.3/5

Pretty cool, kinda like Bon Iver at times and kinda like Death Cab for Cutie at times. Be prepared to get emotional. Not very engaging and exciting, pretty mundane and dreary sounding albeit the intention. Around this time the "boom stomp clap" genre of indie upbeat folk came about. This album kinda serves as the antithesis to that genre. Monotone uninviting and sad. But, still good music. The National are great at what they do.

3.5/5

3 I like The National in single song doses. A full album is too much for my tastes.

the national are great but i think this is their most overrated album, i get tired of the main guy pretty quickly. a better album would be i am easy to find

Typical 00 indie rock. Nothing special but it has some good moments.

The recipe stays the same; you order The National you get The National.

I like the national, but this just isn't one of my favorites of theirs.

The National is a great band, very instrospective, but the reason why this project is sooooo appreciated is still a mystery to me.

Meh, not my style

First time listen. I'd heard Sorrow before, which I like. The album is in a very similar vibe, with low, slow vocals. Not what you'd call an uplifting album, kind of like listening to a full Radiohead album, but it has it's merits. 3/5

Helt okej men lite småtråkigt emellanåt.

Neither good nor bad. Just......there.

3.5

This was pretty good. A bit easy to tune out though. Taylor Swift has some songs with them so I’ve heard of them before but never really listened.

唉 独立音乐 唉

Interesting album - sort of upbeat Leonard Cohen playes slowed-down Joy Divisin.

This album reminds me of another band that I can’t recall. This is going to bother me. Oh well. Worth the listen.

First time I've listened to this band. It was just ok for me. I listened to some of their other albums and I enjoyed them but nothing really grabbed me.

Not their best album but has some nice songs in there.

Very high 3, le hubiera dado un 4 si no hubieran glorificado a los asquerosos británicos en una canción

While the band is certainly competent and utilizes production techniques that compliment the songs, but something about the National comes across as dull, subdued, dispassionate. Nothing bad on this album, but nothing to rave about either.

Not a bad indie album but nothing exciting

71/100

Baritone singing from Matt Berninger is pretty good. Favorite track: Terrible Love Other picks: Little Faith, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Runaway

no surprises here, it's The National

it was mid and depressing

I enjoyed each song individually (I like folk, indie, alt rock) but as an album less of a fan. Each song was well done, deep and introspective. I also really connect with the themes of aging, change, being retrospective, and how that can manifest into anxieties, depression and sorrowful feelings. I am at 40 now and feel a lot of that emotion and ideas. But for me personally I need something with a little more energy in the music to bring me up followed by the current songs to bring me back down. Yes all the feelings he has are real, but there can be beauty in anxiety, depression and sorrow. I am sad because something was good or I can find beauty in today's world even in small parts like a sunset. As an album it left me wanting that piece.

This album was ok. I didn’t dislike it but it was a little depressing, and not in a way that emotionally moved me.

Melancholic, gentle rock

Well made and written, but most songs sound exactly the same and end up being forgettable. I enjoyed the sound of this overall and I felt it had some great mixing and production, but it never clicked with me to be more than a 3.

This one grew on me on subsequent listens, but only went from meh to just alright. Listening to this just makes me want to be listening to Arcade Fire instead. Favorite song was Bloodbuzz Ohio.

Today's album is indie rock, similar to Arcade Fire or Fleet Foxes, but more gothic maybe.... Dude sounds uninterested in singing, so he more moans than sings which is big with goths. By the end of the album, the bands style was starting to grow on me, and upon second listen I started to appreciate it a bit more. Favourite songs: Lemonworld, Anyone's Ghost, Little Faith, Conversation 16, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, Runaway Least favourite songs: Afraid of Everyone 3/5

Favourites: sorrow, little faith, afraid of everyone, bloodbuzz Ohio (lol Ohio), runaway, conversion 16, england, vanderlyle crybaby geeks. Not bad but a little monotonous for me. 3/5

Delicate album. Professionally put together by legit musicians. Best song is Bloodbuzz Ohio, but all songs are good. Liked The Nationals enough to listen to some of their other work. (3.1*s)

I like The National and what they've done but I keep waiting for their tone's equivalent of a banger (like a sorrow-banger if that can be a thing). Just anything you havvve to listen to, love to hear, play on repeat, something like that (it doesn't have to be happy). I really dig their sound but it always just ends up being mood music I put on in the background. I can't name a single song of theirs but I do think they are talented. I liked this album mainly because it's recognizable as theirs, Matt Berninger's voice is great for this. It feels well-thought out, precise, and meant for whole-album consumption. It has emotion but it just doesn't grab me as much as other bands of this ilk. I will ALWAYS go to Band of Horses and then probably Grizzly Bear but I'll be sure to give the older albums (Boxer and Alligator) an attentive listen. Bloodbuzz Ohio is the best track here. Upgrade for anything mentioning "bees."

Not a great album by a great band

I have never heard of this band before. It's atmospheric. The singer is kind of monotone. A bit too depressing. Good sounding drums on some of the tracks. I don't think I'd listen to it again. Maybe a low 3/5.

A batch of bran muffins

Er gebeurt niet genoeg voor mij. Vond het wat saai om eerlijk te zijn. Stem sprak mij ook niet echt aan. Wel goed als achtergrondmuziek I guess. Misschien heb ik gewoon iets tegen mannelijke zaagstemmen, who knows. 3

A lovely and sensitive album. The vocals really draw you in to the experience. The simple drums are hypnotic. Playlist pick: Anyone’s Ghost

A lot of people seem to think this is The National’s best album but Im not sure I agree. It doesn’t have the energy and vitality of the preceding Alligator and Boxer, or the lovely and earnest ballads of its follow-up Trouble Will Find Me. The centrepiece of the record is the stunning Bloodbuzz Ohio, which is one of their biggest songs for good reason, but otherwise this album feels a bit lifeless in places

Hört sich ein wenig nach Talkin Wire an. Oder umgekehrt. Nett anzuhören.

At first I hated this album but then I banged my knee real hard and I was like "God dammit!" "This is a lemonworld!"

A couple of interesting things, but ultimately boring like the club

3.2/5. listened 1x catchup on 5/8/24. worth another listen

Not a fan of the vocals. Otherwise, it’s fine. Nothing too crazy in either direction

First listen from a more recent decade lol. kinda whiney at times but I was a fan of a couple of the tunes. Favorite track was Anyone's Ghost.

I listened to this album while working on my car, now, it drives better. Coincidence? Yeah probably (the music was good too). 3.3

This was interesting. It has potential for me to like it but was a little slow and depressing.

Good album.

Solid late-2000s indie sound. The production is really chill. Follows the theme of a repeated lo-fi riff in each song, so it can get boring at times. It has its moments. The singer’s voice was also a bit so/so. Some songs I was digging it, others I felt like it didn’t quite fit the vibe.

Total classic.

Another album of well executed music that holds llittlethat is interesting to me. Kind of like this review may be for another reader.

No idea after listening 3 times

There's a consistent sound or feel throughout that becomes a bit repetitive. It may be a feeling of being over produced. Either way I kind of enjoyed some of the songs, but not quite.

High Violet Listen one: I wasn’t in to this much. It’s the same song 11 times. Piano, nice drumming, lots of tom toms. Takes itself quite seriously. Not keen on the singer. Listen two: I enjoyed it a bit more, I started to notice a few moments that I really liked, although it still felt a bit monotonous. Listen three: I enjoyed it a bit more. A couple of songs stood out, Conversation 16 and England in particular. I liked the consistent atmosphere across the album. It’s obviously a record that needs a few listens and is a grower. However I can’t quite shake that feeling of self importance and that they have one way of doing a song. There are lots of lovely little moments throughout but for me that doesn’t quite make up for the repetitiveness in tempo, structure and arrangement. Even the drumming, which stood out on the first listen, started to feel a bit hollow, as if being used to disguise the slightly pedestrian nature of the songs. So I guess it comes down to how much you like The National song archetype. I can appreciate the craft and skill and there are some great touches throughout, and I definitely liked it the more I listened, but I don’t think I’m quite convinced by it or them and I’m not sure if I will actually dedicate the time for it ti grow on me. 2 feels a bit low for as it’s clearly not a terrible record so I’ll go 3:
 ⭐⭐⭐️

Meh

Indie rock. Rollo. Ni fu ni fa.

I love their previous album, and enjoyed seeing them live playing songs from this album, but it doesn't quite reach those heights for me. It's good, but not great.

Not the National that I enjoy

I believe I liked the second half of the album more than the first...unless the sound just took a little to grow on me...I'll have to listen again. I would have to say parts reminded me of some of the Father John Misty stuff I've heard. Not a bad thing.

I had not previously heard of the artist or album before listening to this one. This was an interesting listen. It's very atmospheric in sound, both vocals and instruments. It certainly sets the mood. The songs were pretty decent. I liked this one enough to listen again, but not sure I am necessarily jumping up and down about it either.

Music in the record was great. It set a strong tone. Melancholy and sad at most times. I don't think I care for the dead pan Joy Division type lyrics... "looooove will tear us apart..." It got old fast. Otherwise, decent record.

Dad rock. Coldplay meets Snow Patrol. Some nice inoffensive tunes.

I quite liked this - not my usual choice but it was pretty decent.

Not bad, but not good either. Each songs have their own style but it never improves. It starts and end the same, no bridge, do drop, which makes the whole thing pretty underwhelming. The low monotone voice of the singer doesnt help their case either. indie rock is supposed to make you feel nostalgic/emotional but it felt cheap. Others have done it better

Sometimes cool but forgettable overall

Un album tout à fait banal qu'eltrapeze a bien entendu apprécié. Rien d'étonnant quand on sait que ses oreilles sont pleines de matière fécale. C'est l'occasion pour moi de vous rappeler qu'il est possible pour vous de recueillir mon avis au sujet de n'importe quel album via l'adresse courriel robertestleperedemikeladd@gmx.com une fois ce générateur de nullités arrivé à son terme.

This was just ok for me. I really liked the album artwork, though!

wel leuk ofzo, maar beetje saai

Cool and heavy blanket

Moody indie folk tunes

The National remiinded me of Death cab for cutie. Kinda downbeat and EMO. I love DCab. I definitely like The National and this is a find for me. I was not totally on board with a solid album of downbeat, but that is more a product of the timing and liiving in a place with months and months of dark grey "beep" weather. So I will put them in my EMO playlist and yeah...

some cool songs on here. really liked bloodbuzz ohio and conversation 16. not a record i will listen to frequently but decent enough.

Pretty boring.

An absolutely wonderful album for a great nap.

The national are a band I want to love. I always like their records ok, but never love them. In part I think it's because I always get the sense that writing something I think is incredible is within their grasp. I also think if they wrote lyrics that were more clear about what they wanted to say and less poetryish I'd like them better. I almost want to give this a 2 out of this frustration, but it wouldn't capture how I feel about the songs as they are, only how I wish they were. So, it's a 3.

Okay but not something I'll return to often

3.49

This was just normal

Nije lose, al mislim da mi vokal ne lezi iz nekog razloga. Mozda mi je samo predobar dan za ovakvu laganicu.

The sort of album you'd have seen advertised on TV in the UK in the early 2010s with a breathless voiceover from Zane Lowe, deeming it to be the album of the decade. It isn't. It's not bad but nothing much really stood out. Lots of layers and textures that benefit from being heard on a decent set of cans but no hooks or stand out months. I can why some people hate it.

Enjoyed that a lot. Will definitely listen to more from The National. 3.5

Album 299 of 1001 The National - High Violet Rating : 3 / 5 Good album. Reminder that a '3' is not a bad album. I wouldn't mind listening to this again or to others from them. Had never heard of them before this. Have a nice vibe to them.

Vocals weren't my thing, but I didn't hate it as a whole. Probably a 3.5 from me personally

Radio rock music, not bad but very samey. I liked the singer's deep voice. Stand-out: Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

I liked the sound of the band. The lead singer's voice was a bit too deep for me.

Not bad but not the genre I’d listen to on a regular basis.

Last 4 songs really save this form being sub mediocre melancholy bs

I like The National so this should be right up my alley but it's perfectly average. Just straight down the middle.

Enjoyable album, if a bit dreary. Rich, moody, resonant sound. The lyrics can get cryptic and comically repetitive at times. Fave Songs: Runaway, Sorrow, Conversation 16, Anyone's Ghost, Terrible Love, England

Decent.

was ok, very samey though

A band I keep hearing about but haven't actually listened to much. I liked this OK, though it seems comfortably and not very remarkably ensconced in its particular genre of gen-x generated post-grunge alt-rock.

Despite quality production and some cool instrumentation, this album is boring. I think it's because of the lead singer's bland vocals. It's fine if I'm listening to just one song, but drags when I'm listening to a whole album. Give me some emotion in the vocals because when I zone out the lyrics, I need something else to connect with.2.8.

3.3 . Smiths Esq.

I actually saw The National in concert when they were on tour promoting this album in 2010. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of them before then, but our friend group was going so we joined them. I'd just moved down from the actual, literal arctic and wasn't used to being in crowds. Long story short, standing in the packed GA section ended up causing me to have a panic attack and I had to leave. So those are the memories I went into this album with on this fine winter's morn. It did help that my brother informed me that he thinks this is a 10/10 album. Anyway, I can understand why people like The National. I think it's high quality stuff, it's just a bit dreary for me. Some of the songs seemed really familiar.

Notable Songs: Terrible Love

Good album solid indie vibes

it was ok

Some really great tracks with cool vocals, but then it all just blends into that 2010s alternative you hear everywhere. Makes a lot of sense Taylor Swift likes these guys. It is so close to being good, but ends up being bland and generic with notes of spice

Highly polished but spare music with literate lyrics. Not bad.

Not that big fan of The National, though some of my favorite songs from them come from this album

I can only handle a few songs at time from this band, a whole album is too much for me. Just maybe write one song that sounds different and not wrist slitting depressive.

Decent album, probably if I was still a depressed 15 yo I would enjoy it even more. =)

It's fall listening, cosy, akin to wearing an old jumper.

Too melodramatic for my taste

Meh - ok

It was ok

I think I liked it!? I’ll have to listen to it again and see if it grabs me.

Skemmtilegt band og fín plata. Hef ekki mikið hlustað á áður en mun líklegast skella henni á fóninn af og til í framhaldinu ef ég man eftir henni. Ekkert meistarastykki samt.

Wat Tom zei.

Lots of the same. But not bad, overall.

S’ok. Kind of like a sad colour of grey in music form.

Really good music - but I've also struggled a bit with the vocalist, he just seems bored.

Rich, atmospheric, I can tell it's good despite it not quite moving me. In the right introspective or creative mood I think I would really enjoy this journey but on the average day it was a little passive .

Boring

Not bad, just not very exciting to me, might depend on the mood when listening to something like this. I’m really giving it the rating based on music feel , not so much songwriting and lyrics…

Fine but not particularly memorable

I think this was really close to something i would really enjoy. But i just didn't emotionally connect with the vocalist

The tempo of must songs just doesn't feel right to me. I would have liked it better if it was either quite a lot faster or a couple of bpm slower. Favorite song: Bloodbuzz Ohio.

Lots of people I really rate and trust LOVE The National. *whispers* / I really don't like The National. / Maybe revisting them after a few years will help me see my error? *whispers* / Nope, I still don't like The National /

I'm not a big fan of the really deep voice. But I really like everything else with the sound.

eh, I don’t really care for bands that try to sound like U2, but end up sounds like One Republic - 6/10

Nothing memorable.

Pretty cool. Sounds like Autumn, Or maybe that's just what I think when I'm cold listening to music. VEry cool though. Cool guitar sounds. Vocals are really genuine. Great lyrics. A tooouch fatiguing at some points, but that's just the sonics. Lovely and moody.

6/10. Not bad, the lyricism is nice in a say-somehting-that-doesn't-make-any-sense-but-sounds-good-and-maybe-makes-you-think sort of way, but it felt a bit forgettable, overall.

I think this album would have benefitted greatly from having a competent singer instead of the bored deadpan delivery that persists through the whole thing. 6/10

Je l'aurais peut être plus apprécié un autre jour

I dug this album even though this kinda thing's not normally my vibe. It was Coldplay-ish (a comparison that I'm sure fans of this band would hate), but also some Tom Waits, U2, Morrisey and a smattering of other bands in there.

2 Music of lindo bardo soft indie

Great opener. So far it’s good. I wish the vocals were less restrained. They seem to lack emotion, like they’re doing a corporate 9-5 office job. Don’t get me wrong, it is probably objectively good, I just don’t fully connect. Having said that, ‘afraid of everyone’ is a top track. Overall, it’s like you diluted Nick Cave / Tindersticks in a barrel of Mumford and Sons. It’s almost a little too hipster? Yes. It’s hipster. It’s okay. If I could give half stars I would give it 2.5. But we’ll give 3 for effort. It’s what Taylor Swift probably recognizes as deep music. And we love Taylor Swift, but it gives me shallow depth. ‘Lemonworld’ is a very fun track! The writing overall is great, it’s the vocals and maybe how hard the music goes that doesn’t quite get there.

Indie rock. Rollo. Ni fu ni fa.

I like The National. I even own Boxer on CD. Even then, their albums are never stronger than 3 out of 5. Same for High Violet. No real stand out tracks here. It’s nice and Matt Berninger keeps brooding. Then I go listen to something more exciting.

This is undoubtedly a good album, it just don't excite me.

I thought that I’d already listened to an album by The National once before, but when looking at the discography there is nothing that looks familiar so I’m not sure why I remember it. I must be confusing them with somebody else, or else my brain has fallen out. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Lemonworld My brain definitely must have fallen out. I listened to this album last night with the intention of writing the review this morning, and there are no melodies that I remember. Perhaps it just wasn’t that catchy. I definitely did enjoy Lemonworld, and I really enjoyed the vocals throughout. The instrumentation was ok, but nothing too amazing or adventurous. Overall, although I did have a nice time listening to this, I can’t rate it too high if not much of it stood out.

always amazed to see this band and the war on drugs in this list. these bands don’t belong here. they’re good bands but that’s it. just good. not great, not amazing, maybe impressive in certain aspects (production, instrumental ideas, certain lyrics here and there) but after six or so songs that’s enough. this album starts off pretty good but gets pretty boring. like everything they do. “england”? jesus. british people singing about england is the most british thing ever. i genuinely hate british people. they’re like americans in that they think they are the Main World Culture. like just…get a job or something. but ya the album is fine for like six songs.

Didn't keep my interest. Nice-ish vibes but it really bored me.

Nice sentimental life-affirming type of indie rock Reminded me of Lord Huron at times

Rock Indie, il faut êtredans le mood mais c'est quand même bon. c'est pas mon style habituellement mais j'ai aimé et je réécoujterai probablement 3.75

It's not bad at all--in fact it's quite good at some points. But I don't really feel anything sweeping me up here. This form of Indie is nice since it avoids the dreamscape, moany voice type feel that is like nails on a chalkboard to me. But it feels so repetitive within each track that it cannot really grip me. Favorite track: Afraid of Everyone

is there anyone who knows and so perfectly writes about the pain and sorrow of the mundane quite like Matt Berninger? The National have carved a specific lane for themselves as brooding everyday men who are nothing, if not exhausted. you can hear that exhaustion scattered throughout the record, sharp inhales taken at every turn: on album highlight “Sorrow”, Berninger croons about a depression that threatens to wash him away. he laments the anxieties of new fatherhood on “Afraid of Everyone”, and dreams of escaping the mundanities of life in “Lemonworld”. these are such everyday worries, and the instrumentation by the rest of the band more than match the emotions Berninger displays, piling on the anxiety and dissociation. The National have never switched up their style, and for good reason, i guess, because why fix what’s not broken? the brilliance of High Violet, then, is in how they make small variations to their signature sound to keep it sounding alive and agile — they bring in friends such as Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver, who color The National’s typical sad-guy somberness with something sweet and ethereal. but the problem of High Violet, in the same breath, is how quick the music falls to monotony once removed from the tiny little, sometimes missable flairs of variety. a lot of the tension the songs build dissipate with no real pay off, and soon enough the whole thing feels like it’s crumbling into a singular dirge. but gosh when the songs soar (see: “Sorrow”, “England”, “Bloodbuzz Ohio”), they soar.

The National cultivated a dissonant atmosphere throughout the album with intimate moments resulting from the dark and desperate feelings expressed throughout. The lyricism and musicianship were captivating, on the other hand - I found the vocals to be something of an acquired taste that I don’t possess. Much of the record feels like falling murmurs over a background of white noise which coincides with the presence of fear, isolation, and anxieties at the heart of the album. Overall, not my favourite record, but I found some high points in the tracks: Anyone’s Ghost and Bloodbuzz Ohio.

Listened to this album a couple of times in the past year. It's nice. Terrible Love is the stand out. I think its the sort of album I could get more into if I kept going back to it. I'd have to go with an extremely high 3, touching a 4 but not quite

Mid

Individually the songs aren't that bad but overall as an album it's monotonous with similar songs on it. The structure of the songs is that it builds until a point but then they don't have a highlight which is quite frustrating and it makes the album dreary. The singer's voice is also quite tired/bored. It's not an unlistenable album but despite of its hype I wouldn't like to listen to it many times in the future.

The National is a band I’ve had on my list of bands to check out one day for a while. I can see why they’re well-reviewed and popular. Smart and interesting lyrics, tasteful production and excellent playing. The drumming is very dynamic; there are a lot of little details that add energy to the songs. But overall I don’t connect much with their sound. It’s a bit melancholy for me. And Matt Berninger’s vocals are a little too low-key. The band has a lot of U2 in their style but without Bono’s soaring drama, I wasn’t as swept away by the songs. It’s a question of taste though. There was still plenty I found interesting about this album, particularly the lyrics. They’re really well written.

National vähän sama kuin Elliott Smith. Tykkään tyylistä ja haluaisin tykätä bändin kappaleista enemmän, mutta ei ole vielä kuiteskaan täysin iskenyt. Levy oli hyvä ja Runaway sekä England ainakin iski ekalla kuuntelulla mutta muuten levy ei vielä niin säväyttänyt. Kuuntele lisää

An alright album that perfectly fits into the 2010 era of indie rock. In certain sections the melodies and overall sound was very Arcade Fire-esque. l really enjoyed the listen and would probably have it on a background music playlist. Best: Terrible Love Worst: Lemonworld 3.5 stars

Pop sin estridencias y sin demasiados alardes de nada. Poco sustancial, quizás por eso no se escuche mal. Demasiado plano

A good album - nothing stands out. 3/5

Eh

Def a cool record. Maybe too cool for me? Didn't grab my attention the way I'd hoped but I feel I did give it a fair shake. I appreciate the unconventional-ness of this music, esp the vocal delivery, but it does wear out a bit.

3.75

It feels very 2011, but in a good way Favourite track: Bloodbuzz Ohio

I liked it a lot more than I expected but it sort of drifted nowhere. Repetitive phrases sometimes works but isn't particularly ground-breaking

this style of music seems to be a trend that has been going on for a while now. dreamlike vocals with guitar and drums often drowned out by atmospheric synths. while i have heard this style of music before (my wife likes it and i am admittedly not really a fan), i liked it better than the tunes she normally gravitates toward. to me the music almost sounds like sort of a cross between radiohead and depeche mode. the singer has a somber tone that’s not really monotone, but definitely has a limited range (that’s not a slight at him, it works for this type of music). so, in short, i didn’t love it. i didn’t hate it. it was enjoyable enough when i listened to it, but i probably wouldn’t revisit this album. highlights: “terrible love”, “little faith”, “bloodbuzz ohio”.

I listened to this twice and while there’s nothing bad on it, there wasn’t anything that really grabbed me, either. It’s like a boring Interpol album. Just didn’t hook me but I didn’t hate it, either. It was just sorta there.

The national try to do the birds. They try to do creedence. They try to do the band. There’s a little eagles in there. But they don’t, at least for me quite get there. They’re good players and the songs are ok. But I always thought they should have tried a bit more risk taking.

After the opening track, which I couldn’t get into while driving, I quite liked the rest of this. Unlikely to play it again though.

I was kind of excited when I saw The National come up. They're definitely well known in the indie music scene for their moody, punk- and folky-adjacent vibes and very distinctive vocals. The lead singer, Matt Berninger, has a very rich, deep, velvety voice, and in most of what I had heard from The National, he is really good at putting it to use to give the band a somewhat melancholy, moody, morose vibe. That sound is still somewhat present on this album, but generally, this album seems to steer away from that vocal sound and to my ear, just sounds more like your typical indie music. That extra rich voice is most on display in songs like "Terrible Love" and "Bloodbuzz Ohio"; I don't think it's any coincidence that the aforementioned songs are the most popular on the album. People listening to The National clearly crave THAT aspect of The National. All things considered, I thought the album was average, but I really DO enjoy what The National brings. I would have thought an album by The National that shows more of the richer side of Berninger's vocals would have been a better choice for this project, though (see their previous album "Boxer"). Nonetheless, a good inclusion of a unique indie band among a sea of a lot of indie bands that sound the same.

brooding folk

I like these guys in theory, but in practice they kind of bore me.

Doesn't quite do it for me. It's a lovely album, well put-together, flows nicely, and it's never bad, but it never really elevates itself above that. The alternate version of the opener (which is miles better) and Bloodbuzz Ohio are the closest they get to doing that, but not convinced that this deserves better than a 3. I'm sure there are other National albums on the list that will warrant a higher score, but this doesn't.

Good!

Pleasant enough

Not bad, but kind of generic.

Interviewed someone who worked with them recently and never heard of them. So kinda interesting I'm now listening. Ok?

It’s very “backgroundish”, wouldn’t mind listening to it again, but I doubt I’ll seek it out

I am not sure I feel about the lead’s voice. It was okay

Muziek waar je voor in de stemming moet zijn. Een beetje dromerige artrock met invloeden uit het depressieve deel van de 80s en 90s. Het hitje Bloodbuzz Ohio komt nog wel eens voorbij op de alternatieve radiostations en dan is 1 zo'n nummer helemaal prima tussen de rest, maar zet 11 nummers op rij en het mist wel wat variatie en energie. Iets wat generatiegenoten of eerdere voorbeelden in dit genre wel hadden. Typisch van die festivalmuziek, waar best veel mensen naar gingen kijken, maar wanneer ik dan gewoon even wat te eten kon gaan halen. Op een festival ben ik namelijk niet in de stemming voor dit soort muziek. Dit laat zich het best beluisteren laat in de avond, met als enig gezelschap een goed glas. En dan is het best aardig.

I've been meaning to give The National another shot for a while now, so this worked out nicely in that regard. Unfortunately, I still don't get why they seem so beloved. Fine enough stuff, but it never really grabbed me at all. "Runaway" seemed vaguely familiar and would be the closest I had to a favourite song on here. Otherwise, it felt pretty unremarkable.

It was fine

I bet this is really good music for people that experimented with cigarettes in college (like 2 times).

If My Morning Jacket and Murder by Death had a baby.

I found this a little dry for most of the runtime unfortunately. I liked some of the melodic elements throughout the record but it wasn't really enough to bring me back to it. I enjoyed "Anyone's Ghost" which I have heard before either on the radio or elsewhere but nothing else stuck out to me. I didn't find the record very exciting or deep or anything. Personal Enjoyment - 6.5 Songwriting - 7 Lyrics - 8.5 Originality - 7.5 Production Value - 9 Artwork - 9 Overall - 7.6

Sympathiek en best mooi, maar ik mis een scherp randje.

Yep, sounds like The National.

This one is alright. There are songs I like but some I don’t and others I’d need to be in the mood for. It’s just a little too much monotone and sad boi.

One if the nationals weaker albums some good stuff but mixed

when I'm in the mood to listen to this its very enjoyable, when I'm not it's not. not a fault of the album really, songwriting is good for the most part and sometimes great! best tracks: bloodbuzz ohio, conversation 16, anyone's ghost

It is like hearing The Smiths with a modern vibe, not my cup of tea, in general I would use it as a background music, I would never look for it but if it comes in the radio I might leave it.

Matt Beringer utilizes his unique vocal style to great success, giving the album a type of beauty that opens up the longer one listens. Favorite Track: Runaway Rating: 7/10

Not something I'd choose to listen to, but it wasn't overly offensive.