The National - High Violet
Unafraid of dynamics, the ebb and flow of music, The National’s “England” from their recent release “High Violet” delivers a pastoral expanse that lives up to its name. Tension and release are key components of music that seeks to lift itself above the dance floor and this song overflows with it. A winning combination of smart lyrics and tight structures elevate this swagger of a song beyond just about anything heretofore released by The National. Timeless, towering majestic cathedral sonics disperse a quiet despair.
You can hear the professionalism documented in a recent New York Times review of the band. The layers and exacting studio mastery impact the experience of this song. The song segues interestingly with Kate Bush’s “Oh England My Lionhart” and XTC’s “Desert Island”. Here it’s the American looking across the ocean, there it’s the countrymen looking inward.
Someone send a runner
Through the weather that I’m under
For the feeling that I lost today
Someone send a runner
For the feeling that I lost today
The National have been making albums for just under 10 years, having formed in 1999 in Brooklyn, NY. Perhaps the coattail effect and wide acceptance of Coldplay have helped these American songsters find an audience. It has been certainly seen a well-deserved Top 5 Billboard album ranking. This strong song is in heavy airplay now at Deeper Into Music.
I hope to add more material from The National in the weeks ahead. The more I listen to their body of work the more impressive it gets.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment.
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