High Violet [LP]

by The National

Overview

The National have worn a lot of hats since their 2001 debut, but they've never been able to shake the rural, book-smart, quiet violence of the Midwest. The Brooklyn-groomed, Ohio-bred indie rock quintet's fifth full-length album navigates that lonely dirt road where swagger meets desperation like a seasoned tour guide, and while it may take a few songs to get going, there are treasures to be found for patient passengers. High Violet begins to take shape on "Afraid of Everyone," a slow-build, midtempo rocker that expertly utilizes the Clogs' (guitarist Bryce Dessner's other chamber pop band) prickly orchestrations, but it's the punishing "Bloodbuzz Ohio" that serves as the record's centerpiece. Built on a foundation that fuses together TV on the Radio's "Halfway Home" and Arcade Fire's "No Cars Go," its refrain of "I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe" seems both relevant and nostalgic, resulting in a highway anthem that feels like the anti-"Born to Run." Other standout cuts like "Conversation 16," "England," and the darkly funny/oddly beautiful closer, "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks," trumpet Violet's second-half supremacy, but even they tremble beneath the "Bloodbuzz" intoxication. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	05/11/2010
Label:	4Ad
UPC:	0652637300314
Rank:	4821

Tracks

1. Terrible Love
2. Sorrow
3. Anyone¿¿¿s Ghost
4. Little Faith
5. Afraid of Everyone
6. Bloodbuzz Ohio
7. Lemonworld
8. Runaway
9. Conversation 16
10. England
11. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The National   Primary Artist
Scott Devendorf   Bass
Aaron Dessner   Guitar,Keyboards
Matt Berninger   Vocals
Bryce Dessner   Guitar
Nico Muhly   Celeste
Marla Hansen   Vocals
Mads Christian Brauer   Electronics
Rob Moose   Violin
Sufjan Stevens   Vocals,Harmonium
Thomas Bartlett   Piano,Keyboards
Bryan Devendorf   Drums,Percussion
Richard Reed Parry   Piano,Vocals,Double Bass,Guitar (Electric)
Michael Atkinson   French Horn
Justin Vernon   Vocals
Tim Albright   Trombone
Benjamin Lanz   Trombone
Thomas Kozumplik   Percussion
Maria Jeffers   Cello
Kyle Resnick   Trumpet
Bridget Kibbey   Harp
Alex Hamlin   Sax (Baritone)
Rachael Elliott   Bassoon
Hideaki Aomori   Clarinet,Clarinet (Bass)
Dave Nelson   Trombone
CJ Camerieri   Trumpet
Nadia Sirota   Viola
Padma Newsome   Viola,Violin
Alexandra Sopp   Flute,Flute (Bass)
Greg Chudzik   Double Bass
Jeremy Thal   French Horn
Laurel Sprengelmeyer   Vocals

Technical Credits

Scott Devendorf   Group Member
Aaron Dessner   Composer,Engineer,Group Member,Additional Production
Matt Berninger   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Bryce Dessner   Composer,Engineer,Group Member,Orchestration,Additional Production
Joe Lambert   Mastering
Patrick Dillett   Engineer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Nico Muhly   Orchestration
Peter Katis   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Additional Production
The National   Producer
Sufjan Stevens   Vocal Arrangement
Mark Fox   Cover Art
Bryan Devendorf   Group Member
Richard Reed Parry   Vocal Arrangement
Christian Biegai   Vocal Engineer,Vocal Recording
Carin Besser   Composer,Lyricist
Greg Giorgio   Engineer,Assistant
Michael DeMark   Engineer
Peter Mavrogeorgis   Engineer
Brandon Reid   Engineer
Padma Newsome   Composer,Orchestration
Greg Georgio   Mixing,Second Engineer
Alex Kroh   Engineer
Kameron Biehl   Assistant
Darren Vermaas   Engineer
Keith J. Nelson   Assistant Engineer