The AV club’s review has a clear understanding of what The National’s intent was in creating “High Violet.” This review by Steven Hyden, shows the progression of the band as songwriters and as musicians. His praise for their newest album is backed up with precise points and meaningful compliments. It’s tough to argue with him as he explains how the bands front man Matt Berninger, has created music that speaks from truths in his own life which in turn resonate with the listener. This review dissects the songs and gives each one a fair review.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/05/album_review_the_national_high.html
However, The Washington Post’s review of “High Violet” was less than encouraging. The writer, Allison Stewart has a fragmented sentence in the first paragraph, that reads, “Brooklyn band the National has been overpraised and under-famous since the release of 2007's "Boxer," which did well enough to suggest a move from underground stardom to the actual kind was there for the asking.” The sentence should read, “Which did well enough to suggest a move from underground stardom to the actual kind THAT was there for the asking.” She goes on to bash “Boxer” some more, which really has no place in a review about “High Violet.” This review seems like a critic venting because she doesn’t really like their music, she’s written it off as a continuation of their previous album and labeled it “very, very dull, like an Arcade Fire album where nothing happens.”
