Trouble Will Find Me. (The National)
Old wine in the new bottle as The National comes out of the
closet to be more approachable, remain just as classy.
Album Rating: **** (4/5)
Follow up to epic albums are always the toughest. People
expect you make something better but The National have improvised by making
something 'different'. Not a complete departure from their original sound, they
have been successful in attaining a synthesis of previous work wrapped in
captivating melodies and relatable writing from Matt. Whereas their last work,
“High Violet”, was a dive in hopeless tragedy and sadness, “Trouble Will Find
Me”, regardless of the album name and cover art, is relatively more upbeat but
the keyword here is ‘relatively’.
The National have never been a popular live act to the point
that Matt had to once leave the stage midway wondering if the band fits in the
world stage of Rock. In contrast, the new single features them jittering in a
room and a kid dancing to their tune. Exuberating confidence and impulsiveness,
yet successfully retaining the same class that Matt exhibits when he sips wine
on stage, The National announced their comeback. Aaron Dessner, the guitarist,
had promptly declared "The songs on one level are our most complex, and on
another they're our most simple and human", the latter notion being very
unlike Matt. But in this record he tries to penetrate the casual listener
through non-complex, direct and beautiful songs. The Brooklyn based outfit return
to the Indie scene with an album full of life, grander, more collaborative and
experimental, representing a band on its prime, a band who had issues but they
have sorted themselves.
Starting on an acoustic note, Matt enters “I Should Live In
Salt” with an unfamiliar non-baritone emphasised voice. Not playing to his
strengths yet succeeding, this opener was probably written right after their
last album. The slow build up eventually leads to heavy chorus expressing
demise, both of the non-understanding nature. Following is the lead single from
the album, “Demons”, which has Berninger in a conversation urging “I can't
fight it anymore, I'm going through an awkward phase. It showcases perpetual
fight within his belief, and failed trials of happiness with lyrical outburst
declaring that “When I walk into a room/I do not light it up”.
Akin to “Slow Show”, “Don’t Swallow The Cap”, follows the
tale of a faint positive spirit of a man who has always written sad and
depressed music but is now shifting to a more experimental albeit lovable part
of the their music. As the song disappears into mechanical beats, Matt sings
"I am never alone, I'll never be. Into the bone, I'll never grieve, and if
you were to see me cry, play ‘Let it be’ or ‘Nevermind’". Missing sadness
and tragedy? Enter “Fireproof”, essentially a break up song, and filler in this
record, it begs
for the grief to be undone. A catchy and a tribute to the album
title, “Sea Of Love” has repeated rhythmic drums all over saved by Matt’s song
writing.
By this point in the album you get the urge to bring back
the old vine, the baritone. And
majestically it enters in “Heavenfaced” and “This Is The Last Time”. With lyrics, “I could walk out but I won’t,
in mind you are in my arms” and the latter featuring clear alcohol influence
with “Jenny I am seeing double, I know this changes everything”, it binds and
compels the listener to connect emotionally to a place previously unheard of.
Following a mid western guitar riff into the first half the song casually
progress into epitome rise with shouts of ‘I won’t be waking anymore’. The last
minute is perhaps the most beautiful portion of the record as Matt’s voice
melts perfectly with background vocals and harmonies.
“Graceless” is the usual work which leaves no impact but
serves as a unnecessary filler. “Slipped” is homecoming for the twin
guitarists, Dessners, with gentle drum rhythm by Bryan. The riff, inspired by a
Dylan song, reminds you of a mundane city life, albeit a Dallas summer and
focuses on nostalgia, of lost love.
What follows next is perhaps the most surreal, sublime,
magnificent and spellbinding cry in times of desperateness, “I Need My Girl”.
Reminiscent of the beauty this band possesses, the chiming guitar riff fits
perfectly with the drums and melancholy of separation from loved ones. This
song aids in soul searching and takes you into different conscious level
altogether. Closely comes “Humiliation”, a mix of R.E.M. and Radiohead but
sustaining The National stature of its own brand with expectantly good lyrics. In
the penultimate track, “Pink Rabbits”, piano finds a way into a laid back
picture depicting the late bar-chats, the monotonous night schedules, the
street runs and other mundane city poisons. Everything ends with a subtle
guitar tone in “Hard To Find”, a fitting tribute to this grand, mature and
nostalgic record as Matt’s voice takes centre stage and this final sorrow
transfers from him to us.
The National have always been enigmatic. The album contains
some great moments, but particular events when the sadness takes over, the
record shines through. Although it does not have the flare of 'The Alligator',
the majestic riffs, or the meaningful and comprehensive nutshell lyrics of
'Boxer', and the epitome of sadness generated by 'High Violet', the band goes
onto show a mustered and mature style, a blend of all the good parts, along
with the reminiscent acceptance that they're a band who progresses better while
they play and showcase solitude. “Trouble Will Find Me” again successfully
creates an aura of sensible and calculated fears, of a dead albeit raw and
untouched part of our brain and semblance of the songs in our life, which is
unhappily resented, showing exasperation and alienation to one's inner self.
Mr. Berninger, you guys might have just released the best record of this year,
Cheers! Grammies will find you, eventually.Tracklisting:
1. I Should Live in Salt (4:08)
2. Demons (3:32)
3. Don't Swallow the Cap (4:46)
4. Fireproof (2:58)
5. Sea of Love (3:41)
6. Heavenfaced (4:23)
7. This Is the Last Time (4:43)
8. Graceless (4:35)
9. Slipped (4:25)
10. I Need My Girl (4:05)
11. Humiliation (5:01)
12. Pink Rabbits (4:36)
13. Hard to Find (4:13)
The review is a combined effort by Akash Ahuja (http://www.facebook.com/Akash.Conversation16) and me.
Do leave in your comments and reviews.
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