High Violet by The National

 

The National pull off an interesting trick, balancing slightly goofy and confessional lyrics with a lush delivery that pulls you in and makes you care. Case in point: the beautiful “Conversation 16” boasts the refrain “I was afraid I’d eat your brains ‘cause I’m evil.” On paper, not so great, but delivered in Berninger’s characteristic baritone and underscored by the band’s dramatic arrangement, it totally works. This type of balancing act hasn’...


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