High Violet
by The National
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: May 11, 2010
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Mojo
    60
    American indie cult heroes get a little noisier, a little more obscure [June 2010, p. 104]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. 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.
  3. Hot Press
    60
    Good, but I can't get behind the voice.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Album of 2010
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2010
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 303 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 275 out of 303
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 303
  3. Negative: 15 out of 303
  1. mickaneso
    May 21, 2011
    10
    A beautifully crafted, artistic, understated album. The National claim that they sometimes can change around a song up to 50 times, such isA 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.… Full Review »
  2. IanP
    May 19, 2010
    4
    hands down the most overrated band around right now. these songs are flat. the only complexity is the atmospheric production, otherwise you 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'.… Full Review »
  3. Boosemo12
    Jul 10, 2011
    9
    Beautiful, very evocative of something sour and bitter without ever getting dull.
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