High Violet - The National
High Violet Image
Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 195 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The band and Peter Katis produced the Brooklyn-based rock quintet's fifth full-length album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Sputnikmusic
    100
    The National should give faith to anyone who has become disillusioned with indie music, anyone who misses a time where it didn't seem like all the musicians thought they were better than you and you could actually relate to the damn words they were singing. High Violet is another batch of cement to further supplement The National's already unshakable concrete career.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    It's exceptionally crafted, it's gorgeously composed and it's remarkably rendered by a band that might just be the very best we have today.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Goddamn it's taken a while, but with 'High Violet' The National's slow and steady evolution can no longer be ignored. This lot are fully grown-up, coloured in and going overground.
  4. Clash Music
    60
    Bleak as you like, but strangely cathartic in many places, it's absolutely the worst album to soundtrack your Christmas lottery win. For the rest of us dour wageslaves, it's perfect.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 61
  3. Negative: 2 out of 61
  1. mickaneso
    10
    A beautifully crafted, artistic, understated album. The National claim that they sometimes can change around a song up to 50 times, such is their desire to perfect the music they make. It definitely shows on this album with subtle instrumentation blending together to form gorgeous melodies in which Mr Berningers haunting baritone vocals accompany. A small minority of people claim this album has been falsely hyped by hipster mags and music elitists but don't believe it for a second. This is often the problem when an album understates itself the way this does, people are too quick to toss it a side.… Expand
  2. j30
    8
    A solid output from The National. In some ways it's more consistent than it's predecessor (The Boxer) mainly in it's sound which is a bit lighter. However I miss the atmosphere of dark, almost bleak atmosphere of Boxer.… Expand
  3. billboard
    7
    The vocals are still solid. the arrangements are decent. the drums are probably the most improved part of the band. however, its not as engrossing or touching as previous albums. basically, its no sad songs for dirty lovers, but itll do.… Expand
  4. IanP
    4
    hands down the most overrated band around right now. these songs are flat. the only complexity is the atmospheric production, otherwise you could pretty much call this 'mumblecore the band'.… Expand

See all 61 User Reviews

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