The National - High Violet Album Review

Throughout your lifetime you find albums that stay with you forever. 'High Violet' is one of those albums. A gift that keeps giving, 'High Violet' gets better with time and each listen. Full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, The National's latest release, similar to their previous records, is full of vignettes about the daily lives of everyday folks layered with intelligent, metaphorical lyrics above driving beats, basslines and guitars. Every song is to some degree an epic, sounding like the most important song that they could make until it comes to it's climax, a crescendo of emotions and the next one starts. Each song also contains heart. I'm not sure what the heart is exactly. It could be the abrasive guitar riffs via the Dessner twins, Aaron and Bryce. Maybe the understated basslines from Scott Devendorf or the pounding drums provided by his brother, Bryan. Perhaps it's the rich, sultry baritone of Matt Berninger that makes you want to step into this album and never return to the boring duties of everyday life that are so perfectly soundtracked by The National.

Left-right (Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, Matt Berninger, Scott Devendorf and  Aaron Dessner)
From the very beginning The National proved they were worthy of comparisons to Leonard Cohen, the master of gloom and Alt rockers REM but never more so than the song, 'Sorrow'. "Sorrow found me when i was young, sorrow waited sorrow won." According to Matt Berninger, singer and lyricist, 'Sorrow' is about a persons own relationship with their sorrow- a relationship that should be celebrated. A subject that most artists would shy away from but is spread out through High Violet, an album that does celebrate the dark and the heavy because after all, these are the emotions that unite us all, everyone feels these things: sorrow, disappointment, fear and anxiety.

Becoming a father seems to have just heightened these emotions for Berninger, or rather his awareness of them. In 'Afraid of Everyone', over the eerie harmonies of fellow indie rocker Sufjan Stevens and the pensive harmonium of Padma Newsome, Berninger croons "with my kid on my shoulders i'll try not to hurt anybody I like, but I don't have the drugs to sort it out...i'm afraid of everyone."

Now 10 years since their formation, it seems impossible for the band to create a bad record. They've marked themselves out from the underground and blog-o-sphere where they dwelled for years. It was in 1991 when Matt Berninger met bassist Scott Devendorf at the University of Cincinatti where they were both studying graphic design. Together they moved to New York in search of work.
Bryan, Scott's brother, was friends with the Dessner twins and had already been in several bands with them when, in 1999 the trio joined Matt and Scott from their hometown of Cincinatti, Ohio and formed The National.

This connection with Ohio is alluded in the first single taken from the album, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'. With bombastic drumming from Bryan Devendorf and swelling orchestration via The Clogs' aforementioned Padma Newsome, 'Bloodbuzz' is one of  the closest things The National have produced to a pop song however, even this song is a richly, brooding song that delves into the character's insecurities; isolation is the theme that drives the song forward. Like each member of The National, this character lives in a big city, it could be New York, it could be not, but while visiting friends and family in the town they grew up in- they realise that it doesn't feel like home anymore, but then neither does the city they live in. Troubled with money woes, "I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe" the character feels more alone and isolated than ever before, "I never thought about love when i thought about home" he sings in the chorus.

His need for escape is expressed in the sexy, sleek 'Lemonworld'. Full of melodrama and mystery he is stuck in a fabricated, fictional world with two sexy sisters who get drunk and wear bathing suits all day. Lemonworld's protagonist desparately tries to stay afloat in his middleclass, suburban life  eventually ending up in a tug-of-war between sanity and reality. 
Despite the ominous and darkness of their songs, The National still manage to add subtle hints of humour. Dark humour it may be,  but humour nonetheless. In 'Conversation 16' Matt Berninger tells his wife that "I was afraid i'd eat your brains, coz i'm evil", and that he has his, "head in the oven so you know where i'll be."

These fun and nonsensical lyrics can catch you off guard especially after listening to songs like the heart wrenching, 'Runaway' featuring the same fingerpicking patterns from Aaron and Bryce that were heard on Alligator and Boxer.

Similarly the epic 'England' full of huge illuminating horn arrangements and orchestration compliments the weary and tired sound of arguably The National's most recognisable quality, Matt Berninger's low, rumbling baritone as he dwells on the lover who is living overseas, "you must be somewhere in London, you must be loving your life in the rain" he sings while he remains "in a Los Angeles cathedral" contemplating the simple geography that keeps them apart. Berninger has the amazing ability to sound deeply pained and contain emotional depth in his voice that many other frontmen can only wish of obtaining. The lover is left helpless and frustrated against the ocean that keeps them apart, heartbroken he sings, "someone send a runner through the weather that i'm under for the feeling that I lost today, someone send a runner for the feeling that I lost today."

It will come as no surprise then to anyone who has listened to past albums of The National's such as Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, angst filled Alligator or 2007's masterpiece Boxer that High Violet is not a light listen that is instantly embedded into the mind but rather a subtle and sincere record that over time gently begins to occupy a space in your heart. About a year since it's release and High Violet still proves to be relevant. I still regularly play this album from beginning to end and am blown away because this album and these songs changed my life and the way I think and feel about music. As I said at the beginning, given the chance, this album could stay with you forever!

5*
(Also see Top 10 albums of 2010)

Track List:

1. Terrible Love
2. Sorrow
3. Anyone's Ghost
4. Little Faith
5. Afraid of Everyone
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio
7. Lemonworld
8. Runaway
9. Conversation 16
10. England
11. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
Expanded Edition
- Terrible Love (Alternate Version)
- Wake Up Your Saints
- You Were A Kindness
- Walk Off
- Sin-Eaters
- Bloodbuzz Ohio (Live on The Current)
- Anyone's Ghost (Live at The Brooklyn Academy of Music)
- England (Live at The Brooklyn Academy of Music)

Yuck-Song of the day

Yuck have become one of the most talked about, blogged about and critically acclaimed act of the year. Hailed as the revivalists of grunge, Yuck have been compared to the American alternative rock group Sonic Youth. 60% British, 20% American (drummer Jonny Rogoff) and another 20% Japanese (Mariko Doi, the band's bassist) certainly makes for an interesting mix. The theme of the band- if there is one seems to be big. Big guitar riffs, big sounds, big drums, BIG.

Here is Get Away, album opener and the fourth single from their debut, the self-titled Yuck.

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan!

70 years to this day in a small town in the state of Minnesota a poet was born. Robert Allen Zimmerman was his name however he would soon take the name of another poet, Dylan Thomas and so the myth we now know as Bob Dylan was born.
At age 20, inspired by the songs of Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams and other notable folk singers, Dylan relocated to New York in January of 1961. By October of the same year Dylan was signed to Columbia Records, home to some of the biggest stars of the time.

With songs such as Blowin' in the Wind, The Times They Are A-Changing and With God On Our Side becoming synonymous with the US Civil Rights and Anti-War movements, Dylan soon became a figurehead of social unrest and  the 'Voice of a Generation.'


The times they are a-changin from Tony Fox on Vimeo.

In Chimes of Freedom, Dylan speaks of "the poet and the painter far behind their rightful time", most would argue that he could be describing himself. By the mid-Sixties, Bob Dylan was revolutionizing mainstream music. In 1965 he released the six-minute long single Like a Rolling Stone as well as Subterranean Homesick Blues, famous for its innovative music video.

It's no surprise then that a man who (almost) single-handedly changed popular music has muscians lining up to pay tribute to him. Already the subject of countless songs (David Bowie's Song for Bob Dylan), films (I'm Not There), documentaries and so on, almost every form of media has payed tribute to him this week. Win Butler of Arcade Fire brilliantly put it, "Once I was exposed to his music it made the radio a lot harder to listen to."

So i suppose it could be tempting to wish Bob Dylan be remembered as eternally young. Surely that would be a waste of time for a man who wears age so well though? So instead all we will say is Happy Birthday Bob! We love you!

Wild Beasts-Song of the day

Wild Beasts are an Indie rock band from Kendal in the Lake District whose third studio album Smother, was released earlier this month to critical acclaim. Vocalist Hayden Thorpe provokes thoughts of Morrisey as his harmonies drift over the aching, swelling music from band mates; Ben Little, Tom Fleming and Chris Talbot. The Wild Beast's produce songs that bring together pain, lust and desire over the gentle ripples of sound they have become well known for.

Foster The People-Song of the day

Foster the People are an indie pop band that sound reminscent of Pepper Rabbit (a previous Song of the day artist) and MGMT. Despite only forming in late 2009, this band has been attracting a lot of attention thanks to their debut single "Pumped up Kicks" a fun lovin' anthem sure to be popular amongst us indie kids!

Bon Iver-Song of the day

Since Justin Vernon wrote Bon Iver's debut, For Emma, Forever Ago, in 2007 he has been very busy with different projects such as the Kanye West album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which went on to become hugely successful and made it onto many end of year best album lists. Vernon also collaborated with Aaron Dessner from (my favourite band) The National on the benefit album Dark Was The Night. However he hasn't written a Bon Iver album since. That's why when i heard that Vernon and co. had released Calgary, the first single from their forthcoming album set to be released in June, I was over the moon however a little hesitant to be honest. Would it live up to their debut? Well it certainly does not disappoint. Take a listen yourself and see what you think.

Hot guys in music pt. 2

Brandon Flowers. Lead singer of The Killers and general adorable weirdo. I've loved Brandon Flowers for a long time, probably since he sang about his ex-girlfriend having "a boyfriend who looks like a girlfriend that I had in february of last year."

You can watch Brandon be amazingly hot and adorable at the same time in his video for Crossfire, below

Snow Patrol-Song of the day

Do you know when there's a really great song but you haven't heard it in ages? You hear it again by chance and ask yourself, "Why did I stop listening to this song?"

Well that's exactly what happened to me last night. After listening to the same songs on my ipod I got bored, I decided to put it on shuffle. Then all of a sudden the first twinkling of notes of You Could Be Happy sounded. Gary Lightbody's sorrowful voice sang and then it finished. I needed to listen again though. I pressed rewind and listened to it again. And again. And again.

Young the Giant-Song of the day

Young the Giant are a band from California who formed in 2004. Last year saw the realease of their self-titled debut album in the States. However, Young the Giant, was only released on MAy 2nd over here in the UK. You may know the band from their recent guest appearance on Later Live...with Jools Holland where they played two songs, My Body and todays song of the day, Apartment.

James Blake- Song of the day

Sorry i haven't been posting lately guys ubfortunately i've been having some trouble with my computer regarding some troublesome infections. If you are like me, a follower of Jools Holland and his show on BBC2 you may be familiar with this very talented young man, James Blake. Blake has been a lot of press in the blogosphere and "underground" music mags and forums for his music- a merge of R 'n' B textures and soul. Here is The Wilhelm Scream. Hope you enjoy.

Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith- Song of the day

Robert Smith of The Cure lends his vocals to this instantly catchy piece of art by future electro Gods Crystal Castles called I'm Not In Love. I don't think there is that much to say about this song other than it being pure genious. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

The Vaccines-Song of the day

The Vaccines have been hailed as the saviour to 'guitar rock' and there debut album, "What did you expect from the Vaccines" certainly does pack a punch. From beginning to end the album is full of short catchy tunes and songs of regret like angst filled Post break-up sexe  exhilerating album opener Wrecking Bar (ra ra ra), If you Wanna,Blow it up and the brooding Lack off understanding makes this a hugely enjoyable listen. I hugely recommend it :)

Leonard Cohen's Induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in

Mr Leonard Cohen

If you haven't heard of this gentleman then please take a look at the two instructions below
1. discard your entire Lady Gaga, Kesha and Rihanna filled record collection and seriously take a look at your life and think about what you are here on this planet for
2. If the answer to your questioning is to continue listening to the utter garbage that is mediocre, manufactured pop then all that is simply left to do is throw yourself from the nearest, tallest building you can find!
Yes this is how strongly I feel about this man and if you don't like me talking like this then it's tough- this is a legend and a lyrical genious with one of the most distinctive voices to have ever been recorded. This is the man who brought us such poetry as:
Suzanne
Who by fire
So Long, Marianne (my personal favourite)
Hey, That's no way to say goodbye
The Stranger song
and let us not forget Hallelujah, Cohen's most popular and well known song that has been covered by countless artists such as Bob Dylan, John Cale, Jeff Buckley, Damian Rice,K. D Lang, Rufus Wainwright and the forgettable Alexandra Burke.
However when all is said and done, it is Cohen who does is it the best...

It is said that Cohen originally wrote over 80 verses of Hallelujah before (obviously) cutting some out. Now that is a) absolutely genious and b) not fair, I mean how are we supposed to keep up with him when he is going off writing what will inevitably be 80 outstandingly stunning verses?

One more thing if anyone even dares to comment or email me or text me- in fact even thinks that Leonard Cohen doesn't have a good voice then I will hunt you down and seriously harm you. You have to understand that just like Bob Dylan, Tom Waits Cohen's voice is perfect for the songs he writes- that is why nobody has ever or will ever be able to do a cover that is superior.
As Lou Reed so eloquently put it, "we are so lucky to be alive at the same time as Leonard Cohen" couldn't have put it better myself.
Ps. Those of you who don't know who Lou Reed is, you obviously shouldn't be reading my blog.

Psychologist-Song of the day

Ok so this guy is weird-clearly, I mean he has a tendency to give birth in his videos so i'm guessing the guy is not of sound mind however if that is the sacrifice that has to made for us to listen to great songs like Comes in Waves then I am glad he has made this choice. Comes in Waves is a hauntingly beautiful song from the upcoming artists new EP, Waves of Ok (I think there's a theme here)

Ed Sheeran- Song of the day

The first time I heard this song, it was on a music channel dedicated entirely to new and upcoming artists (this channel is called Propellor on Sky 195, the programme is called Tuune and on from 7:00pm on weekdays if you're interested). Then imagine how excited I was to find out that he would be on the weeks edition of Late Live...with Jools Holland. The song tells the unfortunate tale of a girl who has lost her way and the beautiful voice of Sheeran coupled with the amazing lyrics makes for a wonderful song. This is The A Team.