Much like Band Of Horses, The National are one of those bands on an independent label that don’t seem to receive an awful lot of exposure in the mainstream music press yet still manage to sell out venues the size of houses in minutes. Having played the Royal Albert Hall in the days leading up to the album’s release, this Ohio cult are gathering the sort of under the radar momentum that bands of far grander mainstream status can only dream of. And this is purely down to the fact that their musical output is of consistently A-rated quality.
Continuing the Springsteen-meets-Joy Division sound showcased on earlier releases, this is a marked step forward from ‘07s totally awesome “Boxer”. Matt Berninger’s bittersweet vocal utterances still very much the focal point of the band’s sound yet with an upbeat and multi-faceted element seldom seen up until now. Make no mistake though, “High Violet” is every bit as desolate, self-deprecating and harrowing as you’d expect. “Afraid Of Everyone” epitomises this album’s contradictory nature, juxtaposing upbeat acoustic guitars and drums with desperate and melancholic vocals, the haunting lines “I don’t have the drugs to sort it out…I’m afraid of everyone” underlining the tempo with a serious dose of hopelessness.
Far from being all doom and gloom however, this album should and indeed will bring joy to countless followers. It delves the depths of the human soul yet it sees redemption and hope in its ways. Existing fans will toast yet another step forward for the band and it will surely act as a gateway for countless more. The cool kids may scowl, but with “High Violet” The National are surely opening the door to real commercial success, their integrity thankfully well and truly intact.
9/10, out 10 May 2010
Words by Oli Robertson
