We talk a lot about “anticipation” when it comes to new releases, but it feels like folks have been awaiting the National’s High Violet with a special excitement, one that’s picked up with each leaked (or officially released) track or live performance. The band’s longer, slower climb from their 2001 self-titled debut to their fifth album has been steady and snowballing, too — Over the past decade, Matt Berninger, Aaron And Bryce Dessner, and Bryan and Scott Devendorf have refined and expanded their sound without losing their way or succumbing to of-the-moment aesthetic/genre trends. That hard, careful work has given the band a sturdy assuredness, even when Berninger’s singing about being a mess
Premature Evaluation: The National – High Violet
We talk a lot about “anticipation” when it comes to new releases, but it feels like folks have been awaiting the National’s High Violet with a special excitement, one that’s picked up with each leaked (or officially released) track or live performance. The band’s longer, slower climb from their 2001 self-titled debut to their fifth album has been steady and snowballing, too — Over the past decade, Matt Berninger, Aaron And Bryce Dessner, and Bryan and Scott Devendorf have refined and expanded their sound without losing their way or succumbing to of-the-moment aesthetic/genre trends. That hard, careful work has given the band a sturdy assuredness, even when Berninger’s singing about being a mess
Continue reading here:
Premature Evaluation: The National – High Violet