The National Deserve Your Ear

With a summer filled with a bountiful spread of marvelous concerts, why should you see The National? This is a question that any fan would tell you is simple, but we will delve into the music to persuade your mind. This Brooklyn based indie quintet has been turning heads since the release of their self titled debut in 2001. The haunting and tortured vocals of Matt Berninger combined with the two Devendorf brothers and the two Dessner brothers creating richly textured musical mastery in support. They truly are a legendary band, and a must see live.

Encompassing their discography, the emotional vulnerability expressed in each and every song is a beautiful calling card. The band released The National and Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, prior to receiving any significant level of notoriety. Any Indie fanatic would call this a farce, but they truly did not receive any major kudos until they released their third album Alligator. This does not mean that the first two albums should be tossed aside. These are hidden gems, and should be listened to with the shades drawn and the volume knob twisted to high. From the poetic mastery in Cold Girl Fever from the first album and the delicate pain in Lucky You from the second; everything they present is captivating and personal.

Once the third album (Alligator) hit the scene, the bands public visibility blew up. They went a little bit more jangly and really started to carve out their own sound. The lyrics of Matt started to get darker and as such became more obscure and personal. As the bands sound started to culminate with the vocal set, the third album explodes with pure gold. From a song like Karen, with its catchy spirit and well written, personally romanticized verses to Mr.November the anthematic, tortured rendition of one mans pain to stop his personally defined fate. Everything this band produces is easily connected with.

Going into the fourth gathering of songs, we see Boxer. Some saw this as a step sideways for the band, but upon further review, it is yet again another magical set of beautiful pieces. This band keeps it self simple in this album, leaving the rich textures behind for a more stripped down version. The drums are seductive, and rhythmically addicting, making some songs danceable. But don’t be fooled, this album was exploratory, yet it still keeps strong to the dark verses and tormented lyrics, filled with instrumental perfection. With songs like Slow Show and Fake Empire, portraying a personal anguish we can all relate too, it makes for a mass ingestible album.

Now enter the newest culprit in High Violet. The piano takes on a new voice throughout the album; an epic, stoic position. The drums are quicker and simpler, accompanied by bass lines that creep up your spine. Guitars are tossed in, with simplistic non-shelant thoughts, bringing that jangly sound back out. This band is now polished, and the shining star in each song, is the words of lead singer. With the chorus of Conversation 16, echoing – I was afraid I’d eat your brains, ’cause I’m evil, you feel the demons of Matt swirling about your mind.

The piece a Terrible Love, also resonates with a similar self review proclaiming – It’s a terrible love that I’m walking with spiders. Sometimes the lyrics seem nonsensical but the more you listen the more it envelops your thought. The combination of word selection and delivery sends chills down your spine. At certain points, the pinnacle of certain songs (specifically Terrible Love) has such a wall of sound, that you buy in to the passion. Everything is organic, The National are a representation of raw talent.

This act will be passing through our city to play two sold out shows, September 9th and September 10th at the Malkin Bowl. Although it seems you missed a chance to see an amazing band play live, sometimes their are ticket drops. Keep your clicking finger ready and start checking Ticketmaster next week. If all else fails you have Craigslist. There should be one take away from all of this, listen to The National. Go to download their album right now. If you are lucky you will score a ticket to one of the upcoming shows. If you get the chance to see them live, I guarantee you will be a true fan from that day forward.

Tagged as: Malkin Bowl

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Jamie Taylor – who has contributed 3308 posts for Concert Addicts.

"With a love for live music, way too much to say and inability to put down his camera , photojournalism was a logical step in his journey. Concert Addicts was born from a desire to express his opinion, share his photography, and share knowledge. Now the community is no longer his, it is ours."

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