bono_212
Blue Crack Distributor
I'm confident the next album will be unique in its own way.
That's what I'm hoping for. I would think that this is what will happen.
I'm confident the next album will be unique in its own way.
Indeed. Think You Can Wait is almost equally good.The main thing for me? They've released some songs since High Violet, and they've been awesome. Exile Vilify is an incredible song.
I guess that I don't see High Violet as any darker than its predecessors. Sad Songs, Alligator, and Boxer may have some faster, harder-edged songs, but the subject matter of all three is thoroughly depressing. Alligator is dominated by the bitter anxiety of coming of age in an uncertain world, and Boxer by a fruitless search for identity. Then there is Sad Songs, which is an extended outpouring of emotional trauma. No National album has ever been a laugh riot.
Holy crap, just found out they're playing Adelbrain in November
Holy crap, just found out they're playing Adelbrain in November
He usually goes into the crowd during Mr. November, Abel, or Terrible Love. It's a lot of fun.Yeah Thirsty was played tonight and dedicated to 9/11 or something. Though he said the band hadn't played it in years so he must be a LIAR like Boner.
Also some of you will be pleased (and jealous) to hear that Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent showed up as a surprise guest, sang b.vocals and played guitar on a couple songs, and then sang a verse on Afraid Of Everyone (had to look that title up).
I really enjoyed the music a lot. Matt Berninger's vocals are something I'm struggling with, however. The staccato monotone works on some songs, on others it just doesn't. I also find some of his occasional screaming to be a little forced. There are some tracks where he does emote successfully and the difference is appreciated. I do respect his writing a lot, I just don't think his delivery complements the songs half the time.
Also, Sharon van Etten came back out and sang b.vocals on a song that he said was written for the recent film Win Win.
One cool thing Berninger did was mention how there was a clock on stage telling them how much time they had left to play. He then held it up and faced it towards the audience for one song. At the end of the show, during the last song, he held it aloft as it ticked off the remaining 30-40 seconds as the band played off.
The song before that he waded pretty deep into the crowd and was I think at some point held up by fans.
There was a horn section that played throughout the whole show and really worked well with the band.
His shouting gives songs like Afraid Of Everyone and Anyone's Ghost that little extra. I always miss it when I'm listening to the album.I would say that he is more aggressive in the live setting, especially on the High Violet tracks. There is more volume and reach in his vocals, whereas on many High Violet tracks he is a bit farther back in the mix.
I disagree that his screaming seems forced. The guy gives his best on stage and as soon as that climax in Available came, or the intro to Abel - that was one of my favourite concert moments. So much energy. Reminds me of Black Francis. And that can never be a bad thing.
Live he tries to be louder so his vocals aren't quite as good as they are on record. But as Impy said, you pretty much are down with his delivery or you're not.Yeah, it was Mr. November.
I was hoping for a response to my criticisms as well; I'm not looking for some kind of hater validation but just wondering if there's something I'm missing, or if there's a legit difference btw the live vocals and what's on the albums.
I want to like this band more, but I guess every acclaimed band is going to have people who don't get it.
the first of these shows has War on Drugs as an opener.
His shouting gives songs like Afraid Of Everyone and Anyone's Ghost that little extra. I always miss it when I'm listening to the album.