High Violet
Album | The National
Fascinatingly sensual follow-up to their breakthrough record.
Packed with bruising drums and gorgeous snapshots of dissatisfied city life, the National’s 2007 album Boxer was such a resoundingly original statement that it seemed impossible to conceive a follow-up. After slowly winning a solid fanbase through tireless touring, the Brooklyn-based band returns with an album that isn’t quite as cohesive but explores more interesting territory. While Boxer rested upon gentle arrangements and restrained choruses, High Violet turns that album's shaded tones into Technicolor and introduces a new facility for simmering anthems that nod to the likes of Arcade Fire and the Cure. “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” already a live staple, makes for a rollicking album centerpiece, but sensual tidbits like the opening piano line to “England” and the cutting string section of “Little Faith” are just as mesmerizing. Once an idiosyncrasy that the National had to work around, Matt Berninger’s burly baritone voice is now an irreplaceable defining feature. High Violet sometimes falters by relying on a few too many big choruses, but it’s a solid collection of songs. And that should be enough.
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