Brooklyn-based quintet, The National, have become one of the more intriguing bands on
the indie-rock scene ever since their 2001 debut; fronted by the disenchanted,
yet humble, Matt Berninger, a baritone, the band has begged for comparisons with
the shadowy, melancholic sound of Joy Division. Their sixth studio-produced LP,
Trouble Will Find Me, is built on
foundations of dying love, a tormenting past, self-disgust and an apathetic
attitude towards modern and urban lifestyles, upon which handsomely-constructed, celestial
melodies are built. Trouble May Find
Me may not top critically acclaimed previous releases, (for example, Boxer and High Violet), but individual songs such as ‘This Is The Last Time’, ‘Demons’
and ‘Sea Of Love’ could just be their
best pieces of work to date.
Opener ‘I Should Live In Salt’ is reminiscent of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – hopeless-sounding vocals, lightly-played chord arrangements and a pleasant drum backbeat that builds to something more compelling as Berninger heartbreakingly yelps “I should live in salt for leaving you behind.” Elsewhere, quietly purposeful and reflective tracks ‘Don’t Swallow The Cap’, ‘Demons’ and ‘Pink Rabbits’ revisit a more meandering, drunk-under-the-table-at-2am ambience, signalling a move towards their finest material. Moody and world-weary, ‘Demons’ is the first standout track on the album with lyrics unsubtly conveying Matt’s disappointment at feeling hopelessly stuck in a cycle of depression and missing people he has left behind. ‘This Is The Last Time’ uses a simple bass riff and a delicate drum beat alongside outstanding vocals, making an excellent mid-album peak; this track envisions strong and frightening emotions felt at the end of a relationship, and the desperate struggle of fighting for something that has already been lost-absolutely superb.
‘I Need My Girl’ is not dissimilar from Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes with soft folk chords being played unforgettably in a rhythm that is impossible to shake, and a persuasive chorus that is difficult to resist singing along to. ‘Heavenfaced’ wouldn’t sound too out of place on Foals’s latest album, Holy Fire, while bittersweet, easy-listening songs like ‘Slipped’ and ‘Humiliation’ are a magnificent way to bring the album to a close.
The National’s latest venture at creating emotionally provocative contemplations deserves more than just the once over; amongst the overly-produced music that is ever present in the indie genre, this album is a diamond among the rough, which deserves to shine with its fresh batch of endearing and mesmeric songs.
Check out The National's video for 'Sea Of Love' below
Opener ‘I Should Live In Salt’ is reminiscent of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – hopeless-sounding vocals, lightly-played chord arrangements and a pleasant drum backbeat that builds to something more compelling as Berninger heartbreakingly yelps “I should live in salt for leaving you behind.” Elsewhere, quietly purposeful and reflective tracks ‘Don’t Swallow The Cap’, ‘Demons’ and ‘Pink Rabbits’ revisit a more meandering, drunk-under-the-table-at-2am ambience, signalling a move towards their finest material. Moody and world-weary, ‘Demons’ is the first standout track on the album with lyrics unsubtly conveying Matt’s disappointment at feeling hopelessly stuck in a cycle of depression and missing people he has left behind. ‘This Is The Last Time’ uses a simple bass riff and a delicate drum beat alongside outstanding vocals, making an excellent mid-album peak; this track envisions strong and frightening emotions felt at the end of a relationship, and the desperate struggle of fighting for something that has already been lost-absolutely superb.
‘I Need My Girl’ is not dissimilar from Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes with soft folk chords being played unforgettably in a rhythm that is impossible to shake, and a persuasive chorus that is difficult to resist singing along to. ‘Heavenfaced’ wouldn’t sound too out of place on Foals’s latest album, Holy Fire, while bittersweet, easy-listening songs like ‘Slipped’ and ‘Humiliation’ are a magnificent way to bring the album to a close.
The National’s latest venture at creating emotionally provocative contemplations deserves more than just the once over; amongst the overly-produced music that is ever present in the indie genre, this album is a diamond among the rough, which deserves to shine with its fresh batch of endearing and mesmeric songs.
Check out The National's video for 'Sea Of Love' below
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