High Violet
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High Violet Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 301 Ratings

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  • Summary: The band and Peter Katis produced the Brooklyn-based rock quintet's fifth full-length album.

Top Track

Conversation 16
I think the kids are in trouble Do not know what all the troubles are for Give them ice for their fevers You're the only thing I ever want... See the rest of the song lyrics
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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. Prefix Magazine
    90
    From its painstaking production to its dense lyrical constructs to its mammoth choruses, High Violet is likely to be one of the year's best.
  3. BBC Music
    90
    Its charms are subtle, its grip soft and easily shrugged by those who choose to pay it only passing attention. Live with it a while, though, and High Violet rewards patience with songs that colour one's waking existence, becoming vivid night-time narratives when curtains are drawn.
  4. Paste Magazine
    81
    Though High Violet lacks the front-to-back consistency that made Boxer such an unmitigated revelation, the new album's peaks absolutely rival Boxer's best tracks.
  5. 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.
  6. Uncut
    80
    At the peak moments of High Violet, The National are magnificent. [Jun 2010, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Mojo
    60
    American indie cult heroes get a little noisier, a little more obscure [June 2010, p. 104]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 65
  3. Negative: 2 out of 65
  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.… Expand
  2. Quentinc
    Jul 25, 2011
    10
    A quantum leap from Boxer and Alligator, and the best record of 2010 -- a year with a lot of great records. It's hard for me to understandA quantum leap from Boxer and Alligator, and the best record of 2010 -- a year with a lot of great records. It's hard for me to understand the reviews trashing this but touting Boxer. Boxer was a nice record, but this is miles ahead of it. Check out the 4 new songs on the "expanded edition." Wake Up Your Saints and You Were a Kindness, in particular, are both brilliant.… Expand
  4. FrankB.
    May 16, 2010
    10
    As usual, The National burrows in and reaches places in the consciousness that are rarely reached. Give it some time and wait for the reward!
  5. kevino
    May 19, 2010
    10
    Slow burner. Not as instantly accessible as Boxer. But ultimately maybe more rewarding. England maybe their best song ever.
  6. NickJ.
    May 16, 2010
    9
    More expansive, complex and consistently dark than Boxer. Only time will tell if it's as good.
  7. qitozex
    Nov 12, 2010
    9
    There really is nothing quite like this album. I mean, how often are there truly depressive albums? Albums that reach out and tear a soul outThere really is nothing quite like this album. I mean, how often are there truly depressive albums? Albums that reach out and tear a soul out for a bit? A tear legitimately rolled down my face the first time I heard this one--that's the physical manifestation of the majesty of this album. I still shiver when the guitars explode onto the scene during "Terrible Love", just as the goosebumps from Matt Berninger's harrowing voice die down.

    The band is a difficult one to fall in love with, which is the only true reason that this is getting negative rating. The only review attached to one of these expresses a state of virginity to this style of indie rock. This post-punk-fueled concentration. The first time I heard the National's Boxer, I felt the exact same way. Flat, boring, mumbling, and overly-pretentious garbage. Left no impact and no impact to be had existed. Clearly, though, that has changed. Give the band another chance. They're much more vibrant than you can immediately recognize.    … Expand
  8. killingspree
    Mar 16, 2011
    0
    Overrated indie band. Obscure music for sad emo hipsters does not make for good music. The music is mediocre. The hype for this band is awfulOverrated indie band. Obscure music for sad emo hipsters does not make for good music. The music is mediocre. The hype for this band is awful and pushed by cooler than thou hipsters all over the place.… Expand

See all 65 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

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

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