Album of the Year (thus far)

The National's new album High Violet is sensational. Album of the year so far by a landslide. I think this record will eclipse both Alligator and Boxer for me with more listens. Richard Reed Parry's heavy involvement is very noticable which of course is a very good thing. Read more about his contribution in this post. Can't wait until I get my deep deep dark purple vinyl copy. Bliss.

Stream High Violet in its entirety.

Thank you muchly, The National!

Friday bulletins

• Today from 8:30am EST (local times around the planet) the new album High Violet from The National will be streaming over at New York Times "in its intended level of quality". I can't tell you all how strongly I suggest you all give this a listen, or twenty-six! Richard Reed Parry has contributed heavily to the record. The album will come out on May 11th on 4AD.
• Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry and The National's Aaron Dessner working on the debut album from Little Scream. Read more about it in this article.
• Rumour has it that Arcade Fire will play two nights at Webster Hall, New York in June.
• Arcade Fire are currently looking for outdoor places to play with capacity for approx. 2-3,000 people.
• Check out some great photos from last night's The Luyas show. Arcade Fire's violinist Sarah Neufeld is playing with them on tour right now. Looks like a very special and wonderful gig.

Richard sings(!) on the new The National album

You heard me people. Richard Reed Parry from Arcade Fire contributed heavily to the new The National album High Violet, out May 11 on 4AD. The Quietus got to chat with The National's Aaron Dessner and this is what he had to say about it.

"Richie Reed Parry from Arcade Fire is all over the record, I think he’s on six or seven songs. He played guitar and stand-up bass on ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’, and the big thing he did was that he heard me working on the music for ‘Conversation 16’, and he said, “I have an idea!” So he went in and sang – his father is a choir director so he knows multi-part singing – he sang this seven-part vocal, it’s all him layered. That’s beautiful. He’s this very lovely, unassuming person – when you see someone’s musicality inserted into the room, you’re like, “woah!” And that was great – he was just staying at my house, it wasn’t like we planned to work on it like that.

The Quietus: The National Reveal High Violet Collaborators

I mean, I was super excited about High Violet before. But now... Wow! The National are easily the band I like the most after that Montreal band and the new single Bloodbuzz Ohio is nothing short of sensational.

Bloodbuzz Ohio (official mp3)

I'm on a bloodbuzz.

Yes, I am.

[MP3] The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio (official mp3 via HighViolet.com, 192 kbps)

God, I am.

High Violet & Terrible Love

Really like the album cover! The National also played "Terrible Love" last night, from the new album, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Very promising!


High Violet is out May 11 on 4AD.