A little more stupid, a little more scared

The National just came out with a new album, High Violet, and even though they have been around since '99 I feel like I am still trying to figure them out. It isn't the like I don't enjoy their music, I think it is that there is a complexity in their music and Matt Berninger's voice. I just feel a little lost, and thus cannot pass any sort of judgment on them.


That being said, I have just listened to one of their new tracks, "Afraid Of Everyone," (a must listen) so far so good I guess. As I said before though, I'm still trying to figure them out, and what better way to do that they comment on another one of their songs. That song being "Slow Show."

It starts off with a very distressed guitar part that is extremely low key that conflicts with Berninger's low voice and relatively up beat lyrics. There is kind of a cognitive dissonance that comes with this song, I feel like I should be hearing something about it, and it is just on the tip of my tongue but I just cannot put it in too words, and I just cannot resolve it. I think, deep down though, that I do really enjoy this song, it is incredibly beautiful and well written, definitely a must for people who feel as I do though; a little confused and looking for direction in The National's music. If you were wondering where I can cite the song for being well written by the way check out this little gem: "Looking for somewhere to stand and stay I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away," that is incredibly sad...

"Slow Show" by The National from Boxer (2007)

"Afraid Of Everyone" by The National from High Violet (2010)

-S