High Violet

Finally, after all these year got the opportunity to sit with the National - and well I'm a bit disappointed. This record wavers from being interesting to being a high-brow Coldplay - the later is not a good look. A middling album - although maybe a grower in the long run - we shall see.

This album's biggest selling point is how melancholy and depressing it is, but that does end up making it feel a bit one-note. Overall, some good songs, some bland songs, it sure was an indie album.

a bit meh

Good but a little slow and too long

Didn't get to listen to it all ( travelling all day). What I heard was alright. Did wonder if it would get a bit samey as it played through. 3*

A 2.5 album if there ever was one...

Okay so I have a tough time listening to The National because I saw them at rock the garden a few years ago and the lead singer was an asshole. It kinda ruined all of their music for me.

Favorites: Afraid of Everyone, England, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks. Enjoyable album, though nothing really jumped out about it. Just … enjoyable.

Album came off as very same. None of the tracks had any energy. Didn’t dislike it but didn’t enjoy it either.

The National is a band I’m supposed to like, one that it would make more sense than not for me to like, but…I do not. On previous records, Matt Berninger‘s disaffected baritone, for me, read as bored, and completely pulled me out of the music. With that in mind, I tried to approach this record with fresh ears, and while I still can’t say I’m a fan of The National, I found this record to be my favorite of theirs to date.

Don’t know these guys. They have an interesting sound that reminds me of some of the late 80s alternative bands. First impression: thumbs up. Great voice.

чё-то не моё этот ваш зе нешнл

Me gustó algunas partes de la instrumental que le dieron algo más de profundidad

IDK, it was kinda boring? There are some great tracks here but Berninger mostly sounds like he just can't be bothered by these songs. Maybe he thinks it sounds cool? I don't know. I think the guy's listened to too much Morrissey, personally. The music behind the lackluster vocals is solid, though. This one was hard to rate. I kept going back and forth between "this is pretty good" and completely zoning out because nothing interesting was happening on the track. I'm giving it a 3... but it was almost a 4.

Terrible Love- 6 Sorrow- 5 Anyone's Ghost- 7 Little Faith- 7 Afraid of Everyone- 6 Blood buzz Ohio- 6.5 Lemonworld- 7 Runaway- 7.5 Conversation 16- 8 England- 6 Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks- 8

Indierock, moderne, melankolsk, udmærket

Great production, vocals are good but make a lot of the album feel like 1 long song

Brilliantly produced indie rock with emotional heft and some stunning tracks (Bloodbuzz Ohio, Terrible Love) although it does tend to blur into indistinctness after a while and loses some of its impact.

good vibe

I think The National are great. This album took a long time to warm to and in truth it is still my least favorite of their albums that I know. I think it is the thick production that keeps me at arms length. This is most certainly a drummer's album. The drums are awesome...in superb playing and in the sound which is heavy and also detailed. Despite the overall heavy handed production there are still some fantastic songs. Anyone's Ghost, Afraid of Everyone and Conversation 16 are standouts. So overall not their best album but it's still The National so still damn good. 3.5 stars

I can't say this is very very good but it's where I want to be at this point in time so it really strikes a chord in me. Berninger voice resonates. The low-key music style is perfect. It's the same with Bon Iver and suprise suprise there's a connection there so i'm going to keep on going down that road for now. Like I said it's not top 10 of all time but it's where I need to be.

Good, but a bit slow and arty

I can't read about why this was chosen because as an album made in the 2000s, it's not allowed to stay in the book. The National have always been a blind spot for me, failing to understand what's so great about them - also was late to them, but this is the one album of theirs I tried to get into when it came out. I gave it several listens at the time, but just bounced off. Don't know what it is. First track fills me with hope that I'm going to finally GET IT, genuinely very good, uplifting and driving. Then the album goes on, and it just... doesn't really go anywhere? Most of these other tracks just don't grab me, so I'm left just drifting in and out of it. Later highlights that at least held my attention, Bloodbuzz Ohio, England and Runaway. I keep being told to go listen to Alligator, maybe one day I will, but people also say High Violet is one of their best so I don't hold out much hope.

I enjoy the National. Just not 1001 albums enjoy it.

Quite good, not my style but enjoiable

My sister is obsessed with the song "England" and insists on playing it multiple times whenever we get drunk. It's not a bad song tbh, although the album as a whole isn't really my cup of tea. It's somewhere between standard indie and dream pop - songs tend to build around just one idea - and I need more oomph/variety in music. Still, I can respect a bit of talent. 3/5.

Solid alt-rock album, but quite gloomy throughout - this record lacks variation. 3/5

meh

Nothing that really stood out as particularly good or bad.

Wow. Who are these guys. Really liked it. Need to hear more.

Ganske kjedelig men ikkje dårlig heller

notes - im a big fan of trouble will find me and sleep well beast - never gotten into their older stuff - the national has a way of taking really simple songs and making them hit harder than they have any right to - matt doesnt sound as confident or developed in his voice here as he does on later albums - love their drummers style of moving 16ths around the whole kit and avoiding the snare - the piano playing shines fav - little faith - love the bass and drums least fav - runaway - beautiful instrumental with a miss on vocals and lyrics 3.5/5 if this was the first album i heard from them i probably wouldve liked it more, but i know how good they can get

Ah its tough with The National as the songs I do like (like Bloodbuzz Ohio) - I love! But the tempo is the same isn't throughout the whole album, there's not much variation and I get the 'depressing' criticism. some are a bit dreary...

A pleasant listen, not much stands out but would be a nice soundtrack to an afternoon

The next 2 songs that kicked in after the album were VCR by Xx and Sometime around midnight. Two great songs. Anyway, this album was pretty good. Played again for Mindy having a few beers and it went from good to really good. From first song through the end. Been awhile since I've heard surprise band/album. 3.5

This guy's voice is boring AF... but the music part was decent.

I liked this album more than I expected to honestly. There are some very interesting musical elements at times, but ultimately it can't overcome what always happens to me with Indie music: it starts to all sound the same, and I get bored. Still, overall a decent album. Favorite track: Afraid of Everyone

I've tried to get into this album many times over the past decade or so, but apart from 'Terrible Love' and 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', I've always found it dull and melodramatic. This time around I did hear some instrumentation on 'Conversation 16'and 'England' that I really liked. But apart from that I wasn't moved. Maybe someday this will click with me the way 'Boxer' did - I love that album but I've always been fairly lukewarm on the rest of their stuff.

This album started to hit me halfway through. Great one for the season; I only regret that my only knowledge of them comes from their Taylor Swift songwriting collaborations.

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yes, it’s got a wonderful mixture of power and indies of the 90’s aura to it, very enjoyable Favourite song: Track 10 - England

This is a remnant of the mid-2000s alt-rock. It's also a transition into the early 2010s indie-rock scene. I can see it's influence it had on bands like Alt-J, Portugal. the Man, and others. It's not bad, but I don't think I'll try to listen to it again. Best Songs: Anyone's Ghost, Conversation 16, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks Worst Songs: Terrible Love, Runaway

Hadn’t listened to a full nationals project before despite hearing a lot abt them. I was pleasantly surprised

This is a fine album that sets it stall out from the start and just continues unwaveringly without much deviation. It suits a mood but doesn't achieve lift off.

One more band trying the footsteps of Joy Division. They have some elegance in their songs but also a lot of foreseeable changes. Not the worst album.

When this album started I thought I might really enjoy it, but then it just went further and further downhill. It’s just a bit boring and the songs aren’t well differentiated

disappointed in this. i like some songs from the national, so i expected to like this, but it just felt so disconnected, and the individual songs didnt really stand out

not my vibe - but better than I expected. 3.5

Back and forth between a three and a four on this one. Didn’t really catch me until Runaway, then there were a few others I also liked. In the end, enough of it was unremarkable for me that I’m going with a three.

I have always felt like this is a band I should like. I wanted to really like this album, but it's giving me Morrissey vibes, and it's SO depressing it's just not sitting with me very well.

When I read that they played one song on repeat for several hours--and that the released the whole thing on vinyl--I prejudged that this would be pretentious as heck. Pleasantly surprised to be wrong, or at least it's also pretty darn good. Sounds great, stays interesting and varied. The singer seems effortlessly pretty. I had to work while listening, but this'll be an important candidate to return to. (prior listen)

The national… yawn. How can a band that actually have a rather distinctive sound to them sound so generic and boring, looking at other reviews maybe it’s his voice the guy just doesn’t sound very invested into the music stoned and tired at the same time, like I would definitely give the guy a chance if he was invented but not a good vocalist but this guy sounds like he could sing if he wanted to. I can see the appeal for his voice though as it’s the kinda voice that’s all over the 2010’s “indie rock” albums that people somehow see as passionate but for me they make it join the same sonic plane as imagine dragons (ok maybe that’s too far but you get my point). In comparison to other albums on the list and their scores this is a tad overrated in my opinion especially seeing that this is like a 3.3 and most britpop albums all exist at the 3.1 mark. Now to the positives: I actually think lyrically he’s very good and the other musicians definitely can play their instruments to a good level. I guess it’s a 3 overall I just kinda felt like ranting over this band.

Didnt listen very thoroughly but liked the raw and authentic sound. Very chill too, really made me feel relaxed.

I can see why some like it, but it was too mellow and vibe-y for me. At the moment I’m not into it, but I’d have to come back and re-listen to see if that changes at all. I’d likely give it 3.5 stars if I had the chance

Soothing and easy. Could be nice background music, but nothing I would listen to directly.

Jo men rätt trevligt ändå

Runaway dejansko poznam (iz filma Dead Bodies se mi zdi) in mi je všeč. Pri ostalih pesmih iz albuma mi ni všeč, da ne razumem večine besedila. Drugače pa mi je album kar všeč, v smislu da je lepo umirjen, ampak mi nobena druga pesem ne izstopa.

The National is a must like if your're a millennial, I've been to a couple of their shows and the were ok, I get tired of their sound after a while but it is good music

Liked this more then I thought I would. Was expecting bland hipster rock. But this has a great sound, good mix, relaxing vibe.

I remember listening to this when it first came out and I HATED it. It probably didn't help that I associated it with your typical hipster C.H.U.D. When this popped up I groaned. This was a band I got off on not liking. Things change. I actually dug it. I don't love it and there are a couple tracks that don't really do much for me, but I can't say this is a bad album. I actually might listen to it again and (sweet baby Jesus) check out some of their other albums. I think I'm going to be sick but I'll be okay; but If I develop a taste for IPA I demand to be euthanized.

I thought that this might be better than the others i’ve listened to so far since it was so recent… but really it was more meh.

Really enjoyable album, light music, I'd consider listening to more of the national

Rich, storyteller voice. Sometimes a bit musically bland for my taste but I love the syncopated rhythms. Fantastic drumming.

Not much to say about this album. Nice enough 2010s indie music. I had never heard of this band but apparently Chloe really likes them

Bloodbuzz Ohio is still one of my faves.

What it sounds like in my brain to hit the snooze button

Сегодня весь день шёл дождь. Данный релиз неплохо вписался в картину происходящего

You're turing Violet, Violet!

post dad-rock

I feel slightly disappointed with this one. I mildly enjoyed a lot of the songs but it felt like there was no payoff to any of them. Everything seems to stay confine in a melancholic box from which the vocals or the instruments don’t leave. It lacks some sort of emotional release and comes out a little bland because of it. 5/10

2010 indie mood

This is a great listen, but doesn't break any new ground. Lyrically, it does some interesting things, it has that great indie feel of saying something important, even if what that is isn't quite clear. Sometimes sad boring white people need sad boring white music to get them through the day and this delivers.

3.7 - Overall, this album is a strong sample of its milieu, encapsulating the sound of Brooklyn indie rock around 2010. Pretty songs that unfold with interesting drama.

Good musicians but a little boring. Went to wikipedia for more info about the band. Liked the cover artwork. The National is an American rock band of Cincinnati, Ohio natives, formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), twin brothers Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Carin Besser is not a band member, but has written lyrics for the band alongside her husband, Berninger, since its 2007 album Boxer. High Violet is the fifth studio album by the National, which was released on May 10, 2010 in Europe and on May 11, 2010 in North America via 4AD. The band produced the album themselves, assisted by Peter Katis with whom they worked on their previous albums Alligator and Boxer at their own studio in Brooklyn, New York, and at Katis' Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called The Binding Force.

I always think that they have interesting lyrics and that the singers voice is unique but sometimes they just lack

3.2

Wikipedia described this as "post-punk revival", but it sounds more like dream pop or noise music. Hell, I even think shoegaze is a more appropriate genre for this. But while it doesn't really matter, I think it reiterates my observation that post-punk, shoegaze, or noise pop are lying in the same dank territory of music. But perhaps the reason it's so wooooooshy is the weird obsession of modern indie rock bands to replicate the sound of TV static. It's... ok. Most of the time it felt like it's about to achieve something, something that will at least poke my bored ass, but it never reached anything worth listening. The whole project sounds... weak. It felt like a timid little noise pop wannabee that tries and fails to make great sounds. The wooshy attempts are interesting sometimes, enjoyable even. But this isn't the harsh and otherworldly dreamy music that they strive to be. It has a lot of potential, but it has a weak sound, and it is therefore boring.

Never heard of this one. Sort of fun. Sort of ordinary. But was ok. Did not like track 1, but whatever ... C

So torn on this one. I like the chill vibe but it feels so aimed at I don’t know male millennials and it doesn’t “speak to me” (old gen-X) but I do appreciate its chill alt vibe. I just wouldn’t choose to listen again.

Genre: Indie Rock 3/5 The National is a group that fits very neatly in the category of "Sounds like Coldplay/Arcade Fire/Morissey". Equal parts simple pop rock, equal parts alt rock, equal parts looking for that big juicy, emotional swell. However, this is rock music that my dad likes to call "constipated rock". We almost get there, and we almost get there a lot, and sometimes we do (Little Faith, Bloodbuzz Ohio), but most of the time we're left with some fairly run-of-the-mill aughts rock. There are songs here that are good, that I'm sure are staples on playlists of people who never grew out of 2010, like Lemonworld or Anyone's Ghost, but they never reach that next level that I feel separates indie rock from the rest of the rock umbrella. Artists like Arcade Fire have mastered the art of the indie rock orgasm, crafting the perfect angsty intro and verse, squeezing the tension for all its worth, where it culminates in a musical explosion of delight and/or sorrow. High Violet has some good verses and choruses, but it maintains a fairly mellow backbeat for the majority of the project. I was hoping for something a bit more lively, but I didn't get it, unfortunately. Not too bad, though.

I do like the national. A lot, but i find sitting through an entire album quite hard work, whilst there is undoubtedly beauty within, and also a lightness of touch. it's a bleak listen.

Terrible Love is an interesting song to put in the 1 spot. Sorrow was a single I remember fondly. Im just not really into it.

Yeah.

High Violet is the fifth album by the indie rock band the National. The album received widespread critical acclaim at release. It was a carefully crafted, powerfully poetic, beautifully subtle album of rock music, that grows on you and leaves you wanting more. This album was listed on many "Best Albums" list for 2010, and in 2011 it was certified diamond for sales in all of Europe. I loved the subdued nature of the rock music on this album and enjoyed listening to it in its entirety. I realized I've heard the album's single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" before, because I immediately recognized the tune and lyrics. It's a great track on an epic album. I will be putting this band on my list so I can listen to their other albums.

Good kickoff to the week. Very decent lyrically and musically

I like runaway but the album as a whole is kinda bleh

não é ruim mas é a cara dos hipster acéfalo da pitchfork

Not too bad, enjoyed it.

When we listened to Pavement, I wrote "What is indie rock? Someone not signed to a major label? Today the term indie rock seems to have no meaning. It isn't exclusively used for independent label bands, and it doesn't refer to a specific musical style. I could tell you I like indie rock, but really that doesn't tell you much, and while I like many bands that would be classified as indie rock, I also dislike plenty of indie rock." I declared that Pavement was indie rock. In the 90s. But that indie rock today doesn't have much meaning in referring to a specific genre or musical style. That said, The National is probably as close to an indie style as you can find in the 2000s. It's not their labels (but those are independent), it's something about their sound. They're not alternative, or hard rock. They're actually indie. And they have been much buzzed about for nearly two decades now, with "Alligator" and "Boxer" and "High Violet" being a particularly strong run of critically acclaimed hits. And yet, I've never quite gotten into The National. I've never quite been able to put my finger on why, but I think most of it comes down to Matt Berninger's voice. It works ok on some songs, but I never love it, and more often I think it's too droning or something. It probably doesn't help that I generally have no idea what he's singing about. Most of the time I don't mind not understanding lyrics (whether because they're mumbled or just too obtusely poetic to bother with), but I think in those cases the voice has to be more pleasant or fitting with the music or akin to another instrument. But I rarely feel that with Berninger. The National definitely has their own very recognizable sound, consistent on all of their albums I've heard songs from. It just isn't quite my thing, despite being my thing-adjacent.

I’m having a hard time coalescing thoughts about this album. I like Berninger’s voice sometimes, but he doesn’t really sing. Other times I dislike it. I’m confused. At times, like Terrible Love, it feels like there is a lot going on in the music and it’s somehow disconnected from, or overshadowing, the vocals. I don’t know … 🤷‍♀️ The best summary I can give is that I liked Berninger’s vocals better on Chvrches’ My Enemy and that’s one of my three least favorite tracks on that album, which is by faaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr my least favorite Chvrches album.

I liked this album more than I expected to. Maybe it was the crooning of the vocals, or the instrumentation. But there was something about it that I really kind of dug. It was really appealing to me for some reason. Probably the vocals, being a lower-voiced singer myself. Conversation 16 had some interesting lyrics to it. I think the only song that didn't stand out to me was England. The problem was there wasn't one song that was catchy. I liked the band, but there wasn't a song I was humming afterward. They were good, but forgettable. That's never good for a band "hey what's the name of that album by that band...?"

Decent album, but I found its interest fading after each listen.

High Violet by The National (2010) These are songs that are brooding, melancholy, introspective, dark, and quite comfortable with sadness—the sort of feeling that is the effect of the world’s ubiquitous anxiety. There’s no frivolity, and the only happiness is found in a temporary and carefully limited escape (“Lemonworld”) from the angst factory of urban life. This my kind of music. Lyrically, there’s a stubborn attachment to the full experience of pain, disappointment, and the low feelings accompanying failed relationships, all set against a musical background that is richly elaborated with haunting choral vocals and keyboards/strings/horns orchestrations. One is reminded of the droning electronic colorings, heavy sustain, and slow chord progressions of U2. Brass choir with low woodwinds (“Runaway”, “Conversation 16”) never hit the anticipated strident and victorious highs. This has a halting effect. Bravo. The mix is heavy on drums, pulsing and resonant drums, with spare use of cymbals and snaring. The lead vocalist is refreshingly baritone. Rock music needs more of this. It’s somber, but it’s not a downer. It’s sorrowful, but it’s not depressing. It’s tenebrous, but it’s not hopeless. It’s why, as T.S. Eliot would reflect, “we call this Friday ‘Good’”. It’s honest mood music, best taken in small doses, but good medicine for the flippant soul. Listen to this record when you’re ready to stop being silly. 3/5

Enjoyed it, did make me want to check out more of their stuff

I should like this, but somehow it sits the wrong side of the boring/interesting line for me

Fav Song: Bloodbuzz Ohio

Too monotone for my liking

Pretty good, but nothing memorable.

Pretty good!

Meh never really been a National fan. I appreciate what they do it's just not for me

This is a very good band with some high quality output. But you have to be in the mood for them though because Matt Berninger's deep baritone voice singing very melancholic songs for an entire album can wear on you after awhile. Personally I think their previous album Boxer was better but maybe High Violet is a grower and I need to listen to it more.

Some good today songs

I've never been a huge fan of The National and this album stays within those boundaries. Very slow and melodic which was kind of nice but all the songs start to blend together as he shares his woes with us.

Ah, the Nationals. Notorious sad-boy-band of the modern era. I've enjoyed a lot of their work over the years, either together or when working with others, but none of the songs I know and love are on this project, so it was all new for me. I enjoyed it, it's not the kind of music that's hard to listen to, but not a whole lot stood out to me. When the Nationals don't blow me away, they're pretty nondescript. I'll walk away with a few tracks but I'd personally rather see Boxer or Trouble Will Find Me make this list. Still, a good album. Favorite tracks: Lemonworld, Sorrow, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Afraid of Everyone. Album art: The version shown on this website is strange, some kind of deluxe rerelease. The original isn't drastically different but I do think it's better. Colored smoke scribbles coming out of a smokestack, where this one isn't much to interpret. 3.5/5

This album is not in my copy of the book. It's also not bad. Not something I'd seek out outside of this project - I'd say the production is too clean, it would benefit from being a little more lo-fi, a little more grungy - but it's much better than the inexplicably highly rated garbage album from Oasis I had to listen to yesterday.

Had not heard of this band and had not heard any songs by them, so this is all brand-new to me. I like their sound. Kind of droning but not in a boring monotonous way. They play with precision, which creates a cool contrast for me with the semi-morose feel of the melody and vocals. Reminds me of several bands I liked in the 80s. Good album overall. Would listen to it again and would like to hear some of their other work.

When I read that they played one song on repeat for several hours--and that the released the whole thing on vinyl--I prejudged that this would be pretentious as heck. Pleasantly surprised to be wrong, or at least it's also pretty darn good. Sounds great, stays interesting and varied. The singer seems effortlessly pretty. I had to work while listening, but this'll be an important candidate to return to.

It's good. But I don't know. Feels kind of much of muchness.

The National is certainly an interesting band. They've established a unique style that is instantly recognizable. However, I'm not a big fan of the muffled sound and the vocal style. I like them in small doses. 3 stars.

I get why some people like this band. I have always wanted to like them, but it's just so melodramatic and it's too much after two or three songs.

I do like The National, but I don't feel like this album is consistent. Bloodbuzz Ohio is an indie classic, unfortunately the rest of the tracks don't match the quality of this song though. Lyrics are on point for this song as well "I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe" is basically a Millennial anthem, lol. I do like Runaway as well, I remember being very into this song when I was super depressed. And maybe that's how the National is best enjoyed. This is probably a 3.5.

Arcade Fire meets Johnny Cash vocals and a bit of emo sensibilities.

Quite earnest singing. Some refreshing alt-rock. Mostly listenable and not too much is dull. Impressive drumming and some interesting bass lines.

Sad white male

An album of its time. I used to listen to a lot of this kind of thing and this is a good example of the genre.

Not bad, mildly boring.

The vocals are too cool for me. They're kind of tired and mumbly. The songs are delivered as if getting excited or passionate about the message is not cool. To me the singing feels too contrived. The music belies the singing though. The accompaniment is edgy and pulses with energy - paired with the disinterested, indistinct singing, I guess that's what makes it cool.

I enjoyed listening to this album, but I immediately forgot all of it as soon as I finished listening

First half was solid indie rock 4/5, second half was forgettable ballads 2/5.

Rock blandito, moderno. Aburrido.

boff

I've never listened to this record before, just "Boxer." Though, I do know Bloodbuzz Ohio. I like this band, just haven't listened to them a ton.

Nostalgiaaaaaaa

First time diving into a full album. I dig lead singers voice and lyrics are interesting/different

Singer's tone is monotonous. Songs all sound the same. Driving beat is a little too much. More acoustic instruments would lift the record up.

Good album but not my favorite by The National

Mostly meh - but got quite good towards the end

Perhaps it ain't too fair to the album since I wasn't listening very attentively but I found the album a little unexciting for my tastes.

Easy listen

Great album from a band I haven't really sat down and listened to.

Solid background music, not what I'd normally listen to but it was decent enough.

It's aight, 2.5 stars, but I'll be fair since I did want to add one song to a playlist.

@@@½. Nice indie rock.

Surprisingly great album to run to.

A mix of talented vocals and interesting audio arrangements give a very enjoyable listen if a little modern for my tastes.

alright!

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.

Vraiment? Ce disque est vraiment super monotone…

Dollar Store Morrissey.

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

Dull.

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.

dreary and dull

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

Not my vibe

Booooooriiiiiing

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

Highlights: Bloodbuzz Ohio, Afraid Of Everyone 2.7

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

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

Повторю тейк про странный выбор релизов из 10х

Snooze fest

Terribly boring

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.

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

Boring

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

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?

Unmemorable

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!

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

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.

fine. idk melenial bull shit tbh

Blander than overcooked cauliflower.

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.

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.

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

Too low and slow

Kinda boring (and not in a good way).

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.

Got bored. Didn’t finish

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.

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

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

Meh. Not horrible. But definitely forgettable/

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

(2.5) just not really my thing

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

Enjoyable Forgettable

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.

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

Sounds like no one in the band had any enthusiasm to be making music.

Just so darn bland with absolutely no personality. Each track alone might stand as a fair example of the bands music, but together they form a never ending resonance of whinny 2010s production

too sad girl for me, never got into this band and this reminded why. their top hit from this album is like a 4, but the rest of it is kinda meh

Pretty Meh

I've tried these guys a few times and found them kinda boring each time. That stands true with this album as well. The songs are ok, but there's nothing that jumps out as essential listening and there's no innovation or radio hits to point too. The vocals are average at best, the musicianship is ok too. "BLAH" is how I'd describe this and all their music. Solid listener counts, but I've learned that means nothing anymore. People will consume what's there or what someone tells them is good. This is average stuff for someone who's likely down in the dumps or seriously depressed ("Sorrow", "Terrible Love", "Little Faith", "Afraid Of Everyone", come on!). I didn't connect to a single song. Another total headscratcher. I was damn near asleep by track 11. There is nothing on this album that justifies a place on the Top 1001. 2 stars, maybe, it's so vanilla.

3/10

Had hoge verwachtingen. De beschrijving klonk leuk. Wat nieuwere muziek. Maar t is echt ongelooflijk saai. Alles lijkt op elkaar. DNF

boring

Bland

Was initially excited to finally listen to some of The National on their own as I only knew some of their work as features on other tracks. First listen was a tad underwhelming but will try again to see if I have perhaps missed something that would help distinguish one song from another. Second listen has not revealed anything especially groundbreaking…fairly monotonous record, shame.

Maso

This is a deep dark indie rock album. It is full of very emotionally charged melancholy songs. It is beautifully arranged and Matt Berninger's vocals are deep, slightly monotone and full of sorrow and regret. His voice sounds not entirely unlike Tom Smith of The Editors or Johnny Cash without the deep south drawl. Their sound is really quite polished and enigmatic. But its not for me. I found it hard going listening to 43 minutes of heartbreak and grief. Individual songs would probably be pretty well received. But a whole album is just a bit much for me. It felt like the musical equivalent of a month of grey, cloudy, cold days. And as I live in the north of England, I need all the sun I can get. (2.125)

Almost every song on this album feels very repetitive and there were barely any moments throughout my listening experience where I wasn't feeling bored. High Violet isn't a terrible album in my opinion, but there really isn't anything that stands out about it. 2.1/5

5/10

Groupe inconnu pour moi. Album agréable à écouter, un peu longuet sur la fin, dommage. Pas mauvais du tout. 2.5+/5

langweilig

Didn't hate it but I don't love it

Boring.

Meh!

I was kind of looking forward to this as I like a few songs and some of guest appearances by the singer on other artists’ work but had never dug into the discography. Was a bit of a letdown though. Not that it’s bad or anything but just nothing that stood out

++: Little Faith, Lemonworld, England +: Sorrow, Afraid of Everyone, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Runaway +-: Terrible Love, Anyone's Ghost, Conversation 16, Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks 4,9/10

This record is going into the “not rly sure this needed to be on this list” pile. Is it bad? No. But it’s not super impressive to me personally. It’s giving I graduated college in 2009 and immediately moved to Williamsburg, and this was the soundtrack to my early 20s. -Ruby This album is so murderously drab I was angry by the time I finished it. The production is great but that alone is not enough to save such uninspired and insincere compositions and arrangements from themselves. Millennials really did not know how to rock — it’s as if the Great Recession affected their psychology such that they were never courageous enough to take any sort of artistic risk. This album is exemplary of that particular Millennial cultural deficit. —Noah

Treads close to good without ever quite making it IMO. Singer has zero enthusiasm.

If the singer sounds like he can’t be bothered to wake up from a nap to preform, then I can’t be bothered to care about the music, which by the way all sounds like mopey, depression riddled sameness. There’s no variety on this album anywhere and I hate this band for not sounding like they gave a shit while writing these songs.

Not for me

problems of national concern...

Boring and self-serious

20/01/2026 A boring album, a boring listen. I have never heard of these guys before and I'm happy not to hear them again. Spotify listeners: 3.3 million

Kind of like a duller Nick Cave. Don’t really understand the hype behind this album. No really memorable songs. Not terrible but just meh.

idk also mixed and got very boring and repetitive 5/10

Dull dad indie. It is very hard to separate the tracks as they sound all so similar. Most of them sound like they are building up towards something before they end out of nowhere. The vocalist sounds like he's bored of his own songs. Sure, the instrumentation on here can be lush, but they doesn't mean much when everything else is so uninspiring.

Dirgecore drivel.

I have always thought of The National as Walmart brand Bon Iver. But The National came first?! I don't know what I believe anymore.

This wasn’t a bad listen but for me it just felt a bit boring, I think if you were to listen to some of the songs by themselves then they can have their moment but in a full album of songs where they all sort of sound the same it gets a bit repetitive. Also, as the songs have a lower tone to them, when complied together the album can become a bit dreary. The production was good and I feel like The National could have made more from this album with some variations of mood in the songs, with all that being said my favourite song was ‘Anyone’s Ghost’ and my rating is a high end 2 star.

What was the purpose of me listening to that, it evoked zero emotion in me.

Eindruck: Joah klingt halt alles gleich, langweilig Rating: 4/10 Favourite: könnt ich jetzt garnicht so sagen weil…. Klingt alles gleich

A few bright spots, but overall I found it repetitive and droning. It was a slog to get through.

I was bored.

Great music to help cure insomnia

First song starts off walking with spiders. Spooky. Now he’s talking about going to Ohio in a swarm of bees. Dude’s got a thing for bugs. I’m with it. It wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t terribly interesting.

kinda boring

2/5 Halfway through I started losing it because it all felt very same-sy and it just made me want to pull my hair out. Nice mellow tunes, though. But yeah, some variation would've been nice.

This sounds like an album of potentially good songs that's had all of the energy drained from it, like an indie-rock-flavored LaCroix. Even the songs with more energetic rhythm sections ("Little Faith", "Bloodbuzz Ohio") have them buried in the back of the mix, as if the engineer was afraid that someone might start nodding their head in time with the drums. The composition and production are all well executed, and the lyrics are interesting (if incomprehensible), but most of the songs have no dynamics at all. They start and end at the same level of energy - which I'd call "more or less awake" - and don't seem to go anywhere interesting along the way. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" and "England" are the closest to being interesting to me, but they don't quite get there. Still, if anyone ever wants to make a Disco Elysium musical and Sea Power isn't available, this might be the band for the job.

High Violet has been in my collection for a couple of years - I bought it whilst on my travels on a complete whim, as similarly to the Pixies record, The National were a band I'd seen being praised widely and that had been recommended to me incessantly by friends and pub-goers alike. When I got home from my staycation, I gave it a spin and ultimately was left wishing I'd asked the cashier for a receipt. I thought it was moribund and one of the most thoroughly dull albums I'd ever heard, so it sat on my shelves collecting dust until fairly recently. From what I can remember, I'd had a bit of a crap day and wanted to see if an album that I'd dismissed as being too morose for me would reveal itself further whilst I was in a more compatible headspace. In some ways, it did provide a suitable soundtrack for my woes, but I still wouldn't be able to reel off too many discernible, standout features about it. Vocally, Matt Berninger has that somewhat "apathetic" style which doesn't allow his vocal passages or lyrics to really endear themselves to me. The music very much follows a similar vein - the album kind of just floats around and fills a hole whilst it's on, without being particularly memorable. High Violet will most likely be joining my clearout pile and collecting copious amounts of dust again for the foreseeable future.

Not so much for me, Bon Iver precursor which is cool

Nothing special, unique, important or ground breaking. It's not bad not worthy of "must hear" statues

The singer put in less effort into singing on this as I did listening to it. Musically fine but I’ve heard more uplifting Doom Metal

Didn't really hold my interest, just ok I suppose

Very dull album, this isn't my type of music. I found the songs to be repetitive in structure, and not super interesting musically. Part of this is because of the monotone singing on almost every track. The best songs were the ones most dissimilar from the rest. Standout Tracks: Little Faith, Lemonworld.

zzz

Voz do cara é boa, mas meio morta. É, nada me passou a cabeça do início ao fim. Ok, mas esquecível. 2*

Jesus cristo que álbum boooooooooring. Que soneira que deu mano. Definitivamente não é meu estilo. Não foi o pior álbum até agora, mas é um fortíssimo concorrente ao mais chato. As músicas não são ruuuins ruins, ma é chato demais. Só queria que acabasse logo kkkkk

I am really conflicted about this one. I did enjoy some moments, but most of it was really boring, and towards the end it screamed for being over already. I am gonna give it a 2 because of that fact but it's a strong 2, could be 3 if it had more. Something was missing. It's a pity cause it had potential, which was washed down the drain. Damn.

The cover perfectly reflects the music a mash of different elements that blur eachother, it is so damn hard to hear the instruments isolated from eachother with the echoes. The vocals are nice, but I cant understand half of the time

Aldrig gillat National direkt, för tråkigt och pompöst.

snark

Indiens motsvarighet till mumble rap? Sången ger en känsla av att inget händer. Detta till trots är det inte dåligt. Fina arrangemang och skivan blir bättre mot slutet. Stark tvåa!

Försökte när det begav sig, lyssnade en gång till nu. Det är för deppigt och enformigt för att jag ska orka ta till mig det. Som ett deprimerat arcade fire. Sorrow found me... Alltid svårt att återvända till något från när man var i den idiotåldern runt 18-20. Men det är ju inte jättedåligt.

Trying not to gaze at my shoes

Dull

To me this album is in a class along with, like, The Antlers where I know a lot of people who are like "the songwriting is so good" and "there's so many layers to the sound" and maybe a smidge of "they went to Berkleeee" or "they met in Brooklynnnn" and I guess if I could engage enough with it there's probably a story, but the vocals are so mixed down and the music is so thick and the singers never seem to have considered, like, enunciating and I just get annoyed. Sorry I'll never be able to appreciate Hospice or High Violet. I'm happy for you tho. Or sad that happened. Whichever.

Seemed pretty blah

2010. Pretty ok songs that didn't take me anywhere. Soft alt rock.

This was incredibly dull and repetitive

It sounds like it was well done, but all the songs sound the same and blend together.

Pretty forgettable - Spotify started playing similar stuff at the end and I didn’t even notice I was listening to a different band

Fuck off mate

дущно

Too much like a 40 minute song for me.

I get what they are doing here but I’m not sure it’s as good as it’s perceived to be. This sounds like a more energetic Bon Iver and that’s probably the only thing I can take out of this. How about a sadder Evan Dando, does that help? I’m not excited about this. The music can be good and bearable but vocally it’s quite boorish

Tbh this isn't really my cup of tea but I can see why people like it. I saw that he had a collab w Taylor Swift and I can feel the same general vibe with the two. I liked Sorrow and Anyone's Ghost but overall this isn't exactly something I would listen to in my free time. There wasn't really any point that stood out to me, which is why at some points I was almost bored and wanted to change the song.

Not bad, but not practically know worthy either. Seems like I just wanted to check the box for her rose depressing summer music with that certain woe is me sound.

No thanks.

It's so fucking dull. It's just some sad-sack sounding bloke mumbling into a microphone. Every song sounds the same, and they all bleed into one another. I actually like a depressing album if it invokes some kind of feeling in me, but this sounds like he's struggling to pull himself up from the sofa. There's absolutely zero edges to this, it's just one monotonous, boring slump of an album.

Un peu boring

2.5/5

Vraiment pas pour moi, surtout le mood. Très terne. Je ne vais pas réécouter

Sorrow // Conversation 16 // 2.5/5

Doesn’t really move me one way or another. The background music of depression is how I would describe it. Wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard.

This album bored me to tears. I really can't stand the vocals. I'd say it has no redeeming qualities but I kind of liked England and I actually enjoyed the last song. Favorite track: Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Nice sound…

They sound like more interesting bands but with the more interesting stuff stripped out. Not a bad listen but doesn’t feel like it belongs on a ‘you must hear this’ list.

didn't catch me

..

Dull and monotonous. The lead singer sounds like he doesn't care if you like his music or not because he isn't sure if HE likes it or not. I could see this music paired with credit rolls on drama films that people watch once and forget. They're probably set in the Pacific NW.

Too mellow

Pretty gloomy album. Many of the tracks just fell under the same umbrella in terms of song construction and never really got going. No payoff, just one setting all throughout. Side note: This list has obviously exposed me to all sorts of artists & albums and I always have to remind myself that every single album on here is someone else's favorite album. Makes me feel a bit bad when making these sort of semi-negative reviews, but I can only rate based on my personal experiences and interests. Music reaches everyone differently and can be interpreted in so many ways. That's why music is such a treat! Anyway, I won't remember this album come tomorrow. Onto the next one!

Not for me, distinctly average

I’ve tried many times over the last decade to get into The National, but I always struggle. High Violet hasn’t changed that. For me, around 80% of this album feels dull and dreary, with only the occasional highlight breaking through. When the band does lift the tone, the music comes alive—“Conversation 16” being a perfect example. It makes me think that The National are at their best when they allow a little more energy into their sound. Overall, though, High Violet comes across as monotonous and forgettable. Favourite track: “Conversation 16” is brilliant, and “England” is also a strong moment. Beyond that, most of the album doesn’t leave much of an impression. Least favourite track: The opening two songs, “Terrible Love” and “Sorrow,” are such slow, uninspired ways to start an album—I won’t be revisiting them. Album artwork: Very cool cover—possibly the best thing about this record..

Completely unmemorable. I do not understand why so many people hold this band into Thai regard.

I just don't like The National. They are highly regarded in the indie community, but I find their songs slow, musically boring, and Matt Berninger's voice very grating. I like some monotone groups, like Leonard Coen or Joy Division, but this is missing the sauce that makes those so compelling. Even the song names and themes just are so unappealing to me, like Bloodbuzz Ohio.

Assez oubliable, j'ai eu l'impression que toutes les chansons étaient les mêmes. Mais je n'ai pas non plus été très attentif... 2/5

Interesting but dreary. It's raining outside, so I needed something more cheery.

Push Play for Sleep.

blubblubblubblubnummmbubbalupbummmmm... gummmbluhhh bummm Will Leitch does a cruel and inaccurate impression of Matt Berninger that makes me laugh. Can't disagree. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is a good track but the rest is humblebumble low-register sadboy stuff.

Listened to the whole thing but wasn't a fan of their sound

Not my style, but good background music.

Very average and boring. It did slightly pick up in the second half but this wasn't my favourite.

2 // Very 2010s rock album. It sounds exactly like what you'd expect from an album with this cover. To me, this is nothing music

такий потужний 2010 hopeful core, навіть сердечко защіміло. я ніколи їх не слухала, але щось подібне в ті часи так (radical face, наприклад), якщо не казати про зміст, то просто оце відчуття ностальгії за часами, коли ти підліток і все краще ще попереду, це вже змушує мене зачепитися за альбом. чи є тут щось окрім цієї ностальгії, складно сказати... така музика - одна з перших кандидатів на те, щоб бути заміненою шіїшкою, бо я не впевнена в щирості цього гурта, коли вони це спивають. це дуже проста, спокійна і безпечна музика, щось що грало в кав'ярнях до винаходу лоу-фай хіп-хоп плейлистів, і на мій смак, я би краще послухала дженерік інді ніж дженерік лоу-фай. але не більше того.

i usually like dry melancholic indie rock but this albums bland production and sleepy vocals really weren't doing it for me.

Felt like Leonard Cohen with a more upbeat band.

Beaucoup de bruits dans ma tête, il ne me reste plus beaucoup de place pour dancer

It's good. A bit monotonous but a couple of decent tracks

Reminded me a bit of Coldplay, but without any hooks, and I'm not a fan of Coldplay. Pretty dismal and atonal. Two stars. I was tempted to knock this down to one star, as the Wikipedia article about the band said they sounded a bit like Joy Division, and I took great umbrage at this, but I guess it's not the band's fault that their weak output has been compared to greatness.

On the whole found this one fairly bland but with the odd stand out track. Didn't make much of an impression to be honest.

boring af

Sounds like Depeche Mode on Valium

Pretty boring, and it does not sound special at all. Why is this on here?

Very meh. Vocals too low/mumbled to make out the lyrics.

...it was okay i have no real input. pretty bland but not bad

1.7/really quite boring and the lyrics are so bad. makes less sense than fall out boy

Uf. Canonical indie. Not my thing.