Afraid of Everyone - The National

With my kid on my shoulders I try,
Not to hurt anybody I like,
But I don't have the drugs to sort,
I don't have the drugs to sort it out.

Your voice has stolen my soul...

After writing and rewriting, recording and rerecording, The National have their newest album, High Violet, ready for release on May 11th. High Violet encompasses everything we've heard from The National plus more. This time around there has been a few changes, with slightly less intense vocals and an overall lighter tone to the album. Despite these adjustments, there's still a emotional momentum throughout the record and Matt Berninger's odd fragmented lyrical phrases that help us develop a personal connection with every song.

The National is composed of the identical-twin guitar-playing brothers Bryce and Aaron Dessner; a second pair of brothers, Bryan Devendorf, the drummer, and Scott Devendorf, who usually plays bass; and Matt Berninger, the band’s vocalist.

The band has a unique layered rock sound, paired with emotional intensity and distinguished by Matt’s voice. His classic baritone lacks range and variation which causes him to often half-talk his vocals. Textured instrumental sound beneath the vocals makes up for this limitation and gives The National a sound of their own. The National are also a band worth seeing live. If you've ever been to one of their concerts you would understand when Dawidoff writes in the NY Times article, "They are a riveting live act, both because their pent-up songs explode, and because Matt drinks a bottle of wine onstage and then starts climbing things."

The National shine on this particular track with a build up to a powerful finale of repeated cries, "Your voice has stolen my soul". It also features Sufjan Stevens on background vocals. Download the track for yourself here: http://stereogum.com/339721/the-national-afraid-of-everyone/mp3s/

High Violet is now streaming now through April 27th on the New York Times website: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.htm

mp3: Afraid of Everyone - The National

Down In Your Valley - Dead Letter Chorus

You fold in the edges of projects unfinished,
That once were a source of your egos replenishment.
Down in your valley,
Flowers are blooming,
It's clear that in their millions,
Your heart's deluding them.

Australia’s Dead Letter Chorus is touring Canada in support of their debut album The August Magnificent which was released in Canada March 16, 2010. I saw them open for Two Hours Traffic in Kingston a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed their set. Cameron Potts and Gabrielle Huber share lead vocals for the group, creating a wonderful dynamic and making them unique addition to the indie alt-folk scene.

On stage, DLC held smiles through most of the set, a sign of an easy going group that likes to have fun with their performances. A combination of excellent stage presence and amazing harmonies made for a great show. So good that I went home and listened to their debut album, which I highly recommend.

More info and a free download can be found here.

mp3: Down In Your Valley - Dead Letter Chorus