The National have never been an ‘instant’ band. Their albums rarely contain a hook that grabs you and has you whistling it all day. No, they’re cleverer than that. Their slow-burning songs get deep inside you and eventually pop up like a chant in your subconscious, making you rejoice when you hear them again. High Violet is a deep, glorious album and the Brooklyn-based band’s fourth. The blurring of genres recalls the most recent Portishead and Radiohead efforts but, dare I say it, is more exciting than both. There are so many great dynamics on this album that it’s never dull and always captivating; there’s no filler or parts that drag on, just a fine reminder of just how direct and interesting music can be.

-TC

Tags: High Violet, The National
Posted in Reviews