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{{distinguish|The High Violets}}
{{about|the album|the band|The High Violets}}
{{redirect|Lemonworld|the Ocean Alley song|Lost Tropics}}
{{redirect|Little Faith|the television series|Little Faith (TV series)}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| Name = High Violet
| name = High Violet
| Type = studio
| type = studio
| Artist = [[The National (band)|The National]]
| artist = [[The National (band)|the National]]
| Cover = highviolet.jpg
| cover = highviolet.jpg
| border = yes
| Released = {{Start date|2010|5|10}}<br />(See [[High Violet#Release history|release history]])
| Recorded = March 2009 – January 2010
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2010|5|10}}
| Genre = [[Indie rock]], [[post-punk revival]]
| Length = 47:40
| recorded = March 2009 – January 2010
| studio = {{flatlist|
| Language = [[English language|English]]
*[[Aaron Dessner|Aaron's Garage]], [[Ditmas Park, Brooklyn]], New York
| Label = [[4AD]] <small>(CAD 3X03)</small>
*Tarquin Studios, [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]]}}
| Producer = The National
| genre = {{hlist|[[Indie rock]]|[[post-punk revival]]}}
| Last album = ''[[The Virginia EP]]''<br />(2008)
| length = 47:40
| This album = '''''High Violet'''''<br />(2010)
| Next album =
| label = [[4AD]]
| producer = The National
| prev_title = [[The Virginia EP]]
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = [[Trouble Will Find Me]]
| next_year = 2013
| misc = {{Singles
| name = High Violet
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Bloodbuzz Ohio]]
| single1date = May 3, 2010
| single2 = Anyone's Ghost
| single2date = June 28, 2010
| single3 = Conversation 16
| single3date = October 25, 2010
| single4 = Terrible Love (Alternate Version)
| single4date = November 22, 2010
}}
}}
}}


'''''High Violet''''' is the fifth studio album by [[The National (band)|The National]], which was released on May 10, 2010 in Europe and on May 11, 2010 in North America via [[4AD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38099-new-national-album-ihigh-violeti/|title=New National Album: High Violet|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|accessdate=March 5, 2010}}</ref> The band produced the album themselves with [[Peter Katis]], whom they worked with on their previous albums ''[[Alligator (album)|Alligator]]'' and ''[[Boxer (album)|Boxer]]'' at their own studio in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], and at Katis' Tarquin Studios in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]].<ref name="4AD">[http://4ad.com/news/reveal-album-det/ 4AD - The National reveal further details for High Violet]</ref> The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called ''The Binding Force''.<ref name="4AD"/>
'''''High Violet''''' is the fifth studio album by [[The National (band)|The National]], which was released on May 10, 2010, in Europe and on May 11, 2010, in North America via [[4AD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/38099-new-national-album-high-violet/|title=New National Album: High Violet|date=5 March 2010|publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]]|access-date=March 5, 2010}}</ref> The band produced the album themselves, assisted by [[Peter Katis]] with whom they worked on their previous albums ''[[Alligator (The National album)|Alligator]]'' and ''[[Boxer (The National album)|Boxer]]'' at their own studio in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and at Katis' Tarquin Studios in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]].<ref name="4AD">[http://4ad.com/news/reveal-album-det/ 4AD - The National reveal further details for High Violet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322210756/http://4ad.com/news/reveal-album-det/ |date=2010-03-22 }}</ref> The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called ''The Binding Force''.<ref name="4AD"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.markfoxstudio.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Binding-Force.jpg |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714035331/http://www.markfoxstudio.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-Binding-Force.jpg |archive-date=2011-07-14 }}</ref>


An expanded edition of ''High Violet'' was released through 4AD on November 22, 2010.<ref name="Expanded">{{cite web |title=4AD - News - 'High Violet' Expanded Edition details announced |url=http://4ad.com/news/high-violet-expa/ |publisher=[[4AD]] |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=13 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001113442/http://4ad.com/news/high-violet-expa/ |archive-date=1 October 2010 }}</ref><ref name="SoundsXP">{{cite web |first=Paul |last=M. |title=Double CD reissue of The National's High Violet |url=http://soundsxp.com/artman2/publish/news/Double_CD_reissue_of_The_National_s_High_Violet.shtml |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=13 October 2010}}</ref> The reissue includes the standard 11-track album along with a new bonus disc, featuring the unreleased tracks "You Were a Kindness" and "Wake Up Your Saints" as well as alternate versions, B-sides, and live recordings.
On March 10, 2010, they performed opening track "Terrible Love" on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]''.


==Release==
The album's first single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" was made available for download on the band's website on March 24, 2010. The song was also released on 7" vinyl (with the exclusive B-side "Sin-Eaters") on May 3, 2010.<ref>[http://www.4ad.com/news/download-free-mp/ 4AD - The National - Download Free MP3 of the new single, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio']</ref>
On March 10, 2010, they performed opening track "Terrible Love" on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'', two months before the album's release.


The album's first single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" was made available for download on the band's website on March 24, 2010. The song was also released on 7" vinyl (with the exclusive B-side "Sin-Eaters") on May 3, 2010.<ref>[http://www.4ad.com/news/download-free-mp/ 4AD - The National - Download Free MP3 of the new single, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606060424/http://www.4ad.com/news/download-free-mp/ |date=2011-06-06 }}</ref>
On April 19, 2010, a low-quality version of the album was leaked onto the internet in its entirety.<ref>http://www.leaksallday.com</ref> Subsequently, the band announced that the album would be streaming on ''[[The New York Times]]''' website from April 23rd until April 27th,<ref>[http://tntl.tumblr.com/#533689000 Tumblr Blog Post]</ref><ref name="NYT">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html The National Agenda - NYTimes.com]</ref> then on [[NPR]]'s website until May 11th.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126220062 First Listen: The National, 'High Violet']</ref>

On April 19, 2010, a low-quality version of the album was leaked onto the internet in its entirety which prompted the band to announce that the album would be streaming on ''[[The New York Times]]''' website from April 23 until April 27,<ref>[http://tntl.tumblr.com/#533689000 Tumblr Blog Post]</ref><ref name="NYT">[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html The National Agenda - NYTimes.com]</ref> then on [[NPR]]'s website until May 11.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126220062 First Listen: The National, 'High Violet']</ref>

On May 13, 2010, the band played "Afraid of Everyone" on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''. [[Sufjan Stevens]] sang backup for them during this performance.

''High Violet'' sold 51,000 copies in its first week of sales, charting at number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. This marked the National's highest charting effort at the time (beating ''Boxer'', which debuted at number 68),<ref name="Spinner">{{Cite web |url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/05/20/the-national-billboard-album-chart/ |title=Spinner.com - The National - Billboard Album Chart |access-date=2010-05-20 |archive-date=2012-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403001815/http://www.spinner.com/2010/05/20/the-national-billboard-album-chart/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> until the release of ''[[Sleep Well Beast]]'' in 2017, which debuted at number two.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-national|title = The National|magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

In May 2013, the band played ''High Violet'' track "Sorrow" 105 times in a row at an art installation in New York, in a performance lasting six hours.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/The-National-undertake-song-marathon-for-art-installation/tabid/418/articleID/296843/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title= The National undertake song marathon for art installation| date=May 7, 2013}}</ref> This durational performance was released as a special vinyl-only box set entitled ''A Lot of Sorrow'' by 4AD in June 2015.<ref name="ALotofSorrow">{{cite web |title=Ragnar Kjartansson / The National – A Lot Of Sorrow (Vinyl, Box Set) at Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7165825 |access-date=March 26, 2020 |publisher=[[Discogs]]}}</ref>

In June 2020, the expanded edition of ''High Violet'' was released on vinyl for the first time as the ''10th Anniversary Expanded Edition.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=The National: 'High Violet - 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition' - 4AD.com|url=https://4ad.com/releases/922|access-date=2020-06-22|website=4AD|language=en}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| MC = 87<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/national/highviolet?q=high_violet|title=High Violet|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=8 May 2010}}</ref>
| ADM = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1772/The-National-High-Violet.aspx |title=High Violet by The National reviews |publisher=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref>
| MC = 85/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/high-violet/the-national |title=Reviews for High Violet by The National |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=May 8, 2010}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AbsolutePunk]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = (90%)<ref name="AP.net">[[cite web|url=http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1691462 |title=AbsolutePunk review}}</ref>
| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/high-violet-mw0001976111 |title=High Violet – The National |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 12, 2010 |last=Monger |first=James Christopher}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[BBC]]
| rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
| rev2Score = (very positive)<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3ncg |title=BBC review}}</ref>
| rev2score = A<ref name="The A.V. Club">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-national-high-violet-1798164948 |title=The National: High Violet |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2011 |last=Hyden |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Hyden}}</ref>
| rev3 = [[Drowned in Sound]]
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = (9/10)<ref name="DiS">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15347/reviews/4139852 |title=Drowned in Sound review}}</ref>
| rev3score = B+<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2010/05/05/high-violet |title=High Violet |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2010 |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084926/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/05/05/high-violet |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Financial Times]]''
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="FT">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fdfdb392-5802-11df-9eaf-00144feab49a.html|title=The National: High Violet|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=8 May 2010|work=Financial Times|accessdate=8 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/06/national-high-violet-cd-review |title=The National: High Violet |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |date=May 6, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2010 |last=Simpson |first=Dave}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev5Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Indepenent">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-national-high-violet-4ad-1965329.html|title=Album: The National, High Violet (4AD)|last=Gill|first=Andy|date=7 May 2010|work=The Independent|accessdate=8 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev5score = {{rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/05/album-review-the-nationals-high-violet.html |title=Album review: The National's 'High Violet' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2011 |last=Wappler |first=Margaret}}</ref>
| rev6= ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev6 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]])
| rev6Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/06/national-high-violet-cd-review|title=The National: High Violet|last=Simpson|first=Dave|date=6 May 2010|work=The Guardian|accessdate=8 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev6score = A−<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2010-07.php |title=Consumer Guide |work=[[MSN Music]] |date=July 2010 |access-date=September 23, 2012 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[musicOMH]]
| rev7 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev7Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/national-3_0410.htm |title=musicOMH review}}</ref>
| rev7score = 8/10<ref name="nme">{{cite journal |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/the-national--2/11286 |title=Album Review: The National – 'High Violet' (4AD) |journal=[[NME]] |date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |last=Kennedy |first=Adam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072618/http://www.nme.com/reviews/the-national--2/11286 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rev8 = [[One Thirty BPM]]
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev8Score = (78%)<ref name="One Thirty BPM">{{cite news|url=http://onethirtybpm.com/2010/05/10/album-review-the-national-high-violet/|title=The National - High Violet|last=Isquith|first=Elias|publisher=One Thirty BPM|date=10 May 2010|accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev8score = 8.7/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14203-high-violet/ |title=The National: High Violet |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=May 10, 2010 |last=Gaerig |first=Andrew}}</ref>
| rev9 = [[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9Score = (8.7/10)<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite news|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14203-high-violet/|title=The National: High Violet|last=Gaerig|first=Andrew|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=10 May 2010|accessdate=10 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev9score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/high-violet-20100511 |title=High Violet |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |last=Hermes |first=Will |author-link=Will Hermes}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Q Magazine|Q]]''
| rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev10Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1772/High-Violet.aspx |title=Q review}}</ref>
| rev10score = 8/10<ref name="spin">{{cite journal |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/national-high-violet-4ad |title=The National, 'High Violet' (4AD) |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |last=Modell |first=Josh}}</ref>
| rev11 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev11Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/national-high-violet-4ad |title=Spin review}}</ref>
| rev12 = ''[[The Times]]''
| rev12Score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="Paphides">{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article7118432.ece|title=The National: High Violet|last=Paphides|first=Pete|date=7 May 2010|work=The Times|accessdate=8 May 2010}}</ref><br>{{rating|5|5}}<ref name ="Burgess">{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article7116413.ece|title=The National: High Violet|last=Kaya|first=Burgess|date=8 May 2010|work=The Times|accessdate= 9 May 2010}}</ref>
| rev13 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev13Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/1772/High-Violet.aspx |title=Uncut review}}</ref>
<!-- | rev14 = Consequence of Sound
| rev14Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/04/29/album-review-the-national-high-violet/ |title=Consequence of Sound review}}</ref>
| rev15 = [[Sputnikmusic]]
| rev15Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="Sputnikmusic">{{cite web|url=http://sputnikmusic.com/review_36372 |title=Sputnikmusic review}}</ref>
| rev16 = [[Stereogum]]
| rev16The National-high-violet/franchises/premature-evaluation/ |title=Stereogum review}}</ref>
| rev17 = Strangeglue
| rev17Score = (10/10)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://strangeglue.com/reviews/the-national-high-violet/10008814 |title=Strangeglue review}}
| rev18 = ''[[The Skinny]]''
| rev18Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/99125-the-national---high-violet |title=The Skinny review}}</ref></ref> -->
}}
}}
''High Violet'' was released to widespread critical acclaim. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a score of 85 out of 100 based on 36 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="Metacritic"/> [[BBC Music]] critic Mike Diver hailed the album as the National's "finest disc to date" and "a potential album of the year".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3ncg |title=The National High Violet Review |publisher=[[BBC Music]] |access-date=July 19, 2012 |last=Diver |first=Mike}}</ref> Andrew Gaerig of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' wrote that "when they aim for powerful or poetic, they get there" and described ''High Violet'' as "the sound of a band taking a mandate to be a meaningful rock band seriously."<ref name="Pitchfork"/> [[Steven Hyden]] of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' called the album "carefully considered without being labored" and "richly detailed without being fussy".<ref name="The A.V. Club"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Dave Simpson wrote that ''High Violet'' "is beautifully subtle" and "grows in power with each listen",<ref name="Guardian"/> and ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s Andy Gill called it "a masterclass in subtle emotional shading".<ref name="Independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-national-high-violet-4ad-1965329.html |title=Album: The National, High Violet (4AD) |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2010 |last=Gill |first=Andy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510021403/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-national-high-violet-4ad-1965329.html |archive-date=May 10, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sputnikmusic writer Channing Freeman cited the album as the band's "third masterpiece in a row".<ref name="Sputnikmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/36372/The-National-High-Violet/ |title=The National – High Violet |publisher=Sputnikmusic |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |last=Freeman |first=Channing}}</ref>

''High Violet'' appeared on several publications' year-end lists of the best albums of 2010. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named it the fourth best album of the year,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034644_2034629,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212233022/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034644_2034629,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2010 |title=The National, High Violet |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2012 |last=Suddath |first=Claire}}</ref> and it also placed at number 15 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of the 30 best albums of 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/30-best-albums-of-2010-20101213 |title=The 30 Best Albums of 2010 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 25, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' placed it at number 28 on their list of the 50 best albums of 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7893-the-top-50-albums-of-2010/3 |title=Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2010 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Exclaim!]]'' ranked ''High Violet'' at number 7 on their list of the Best Pop & Rock Albums of 2010, with critic Travis Persaud stating that it "continues the envious feat of releasing another album that's superior to its predecessor."<ref name=Exclaim!>{{cite news |url=http://exclaim.ca/Features/YearInReview/pop_rock_year_in_review_2010/Page/7 |title=Pop & Rock Year in Review |work=[[Exclaim!]] |date=November 25, 2010 |access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> The album placed at number eight on ''[[The Village Voice]]''{{'}}s year-end [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2010 |title=Pazz+Jop 2010 |work=[[The Village Voice]] |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217072637/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''High Violet'' was awarded a ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' Award for Best Album, an honor presented to the National by English musician [[Bernard Sumner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.qthemusic.com/2010/10/winner_best_album_-_winner.html |title=The Awards 2010: Best Album – The National |work=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |date=October 25, 2010 |access-date=February 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028221030/http://news.qthemusic.com/2010/10/winner_best_album_-_winner.html |archive-date=October 28, 2010}}</ref> The album was also included in the 2011 edition of the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''. In 2019, ''Pitchfork'' ranked the album at number 147 on their list of "The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=8 October 2019|access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref>

==Chart history==
The album debuted at number three on the US ''Billboard'' and also debuted in Canada at number two, in Portugal at number three, and in Germany at number 10.<ref name="Spinner"/><ref name="AOL Music Blog">{{cite web|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/05/19/the-national-color-billboard-200-violet-high-debut/ |title=AOL news story}}</ref><ref name="musicline.de">{{cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/National%2CThe/High+Violet/longplay |title=German charts |access-date=2010-06-07 |archive-date=2014-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908140009/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/National,The/High+Violet/longplay |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''High Violet'' was [[Gold Album|certified gold]] in Canada, Denmark, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. In 2011 it was awarded a diamond certification from the [[Independent Music Companies Association]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020110331.htm |title=color |website=www.impalamusic.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911204323/http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020110331.htm |archive-date=2017-09-11}}</ref> which indicated sales of at least 200,000 copies throughout Europe. It has sold 326,846 copies in the U.S. as of September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/236497936/Atrl-net-Sep-16th-Sep-23rd-2014?secret_password=KMdrauCOEnCZmPJ81KeS |title=September 17 & 23 releases |publisher=[[Universal Music Group]] |date=September 2014 |page=169|access-date=November 24, 2019 |via=[[Scribd]]}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
A number of tracks from the album have featured variously throughout popular culture.


* The track "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" featured at the climax of the second season of the [[SyFy]] series ''[[Warehouse 13]]''.
''High Violet'' was released to overwhelmingly positive critical acclaim. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received a favorable score of 87, based on 20 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/> [[Sputnikmusic]] awarded the album 5 out of 5, stating "''High Violet'' is another batch of cement to further supplement The National's already unshakable concrete career," also calling the album "their third masterpiece in a row."<ref name="Sputnikmusic">{{cite web|url=http://sputnikmusic.com/review_36372 |title=Sputnikmusic review}}</ref> [[Drowned in Sound]] gave the album a 9 out of 10 rating,<ref name="DiS"/> and the [[BBC]] hailed the album as "the New Yorkers' finest disc to date...a potential album of the year."<ref name="BBC"/> [[Pitchfork Media]]'s review stated that ''High Violet'' is "the sound of a band taking a mandate to be a meaningful rock band seriously," and gave the album a score of 8.7 out of 10.<ref name="Pitchfork"/>
* "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" was also featured in the sixth episode of the fifth and final season of ''[[Money Heist]]''.
* The track "Runaway" was used in the 2013 film ''[[Warm Bodies (film)|Warm Bodies]]''.
* The track "England" was used in 2018 by [[BBC Sport]] in a montage detailing [[England national football team|England's]] penalty shootout victory over [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Russia]].
** The track was also featured in the twelfth episode of the [[Grey's Anatomy season 7|seventh season]] of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series [[Grey's Anatomy]].
* The expanded edition track "You Were a Kindness" featured at the climax of the [[Apple TV+]] miniseries ''[[Defending Jacob (miniseries)|Defending Jacob]]''.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
{{tracklist
| collapsed =
| headline = Standard edition
| headline =
| all_writing = Matt Berninger and [[Aaron Dessner]], except where noted.
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = Terrible Love
| title1 = Terrible Love
| writer1 = [[Matt Berninger]], [[Aaron Dessner]]
| length1 = 4:39
| length1 = 4:39
| title2 = Sorrow
| title2 = Sorrow
| writer2 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length2 = 3:25
| length2 = 3:25
| title3 = Anyone's Ghost
| title3 = Anyone's Ghost
Line 85: Line 113:
| length4 = 4:36
| length4 = 4:36
| title5 = Afraid of Everyone
| title5 = Afraid of Everyone
| writer5 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length5 = 4:19
| length5 = 4:19
| title6 = Bloodbuzz Ohio
| title6 = [[Bloodbuzz Ohio]]
| writer6 = Berninger, A. Dessner, Padma Newsome
| writer6 = Berninger, A. Dessner, Padma Newsome
| length6 = 4:35
| length6 = 4:36
| title7 = Lemonworld
| title7 = Lemonworld
| writer7 = Berninger, B. Dessner
| writer7 = Berninger, B. Dessner
| length7 = 3:23
| length7 = 3:23
| title8 = Runaway
| title8 = Runaway
| writer8 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length8 = 5:33
| length8 = 5:33
| title9 = Conversation 16
| title9 = Conversation 16
| writer9 = Berninger, Carin Besser, A. Dessner
| writer9 = Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner
| length9 = 4:18
| length9 = 4:18
| title10 = England
| title10 = England
| writer10 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length10 = 5:40
| length10 = 5:40
| title11 = Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
| title11 = Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
| writer11 = Berninger, Carin Besser, A. Dessner
| writer11 = Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner
| length11 = 4:12
| length11 = 4:12
}}
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese edition bonus tracks
| title12 = Walk Off
| writer12 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length12 = 2:40
| title13 = Sin-Eaters
| writer13 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length13 = 3:40
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Expanded edition bonus disc
| title1 = Terrible Love
| writer1 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| note1 = Alternate Version
| length1 = 4:18
| title2 = Wake Up Your Saints
| writer2 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length2 = 4:14
| title3 = You Were a Kindness
| writer3 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length3 = 4:25
| title4 = Walk Off
| writer4 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length4 = 2:40
| title5 = Sin-Eaters
| writer5 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length5 = 3:39
| title6 = Bloodbuzz Ohio
| note6 = Live on [[KCMP|The Current]]
| writer6 = Berninger, A. Dessner, Newsome
| length6 = 3:53
| title7 = Anyone's Ghost
| note7 = Live at [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]]
| writer7 = Berninger, B. Dessner
| writer8 = Berninger, A. Dessner
| length7 = 2:58
| title8 = England
| note8 = Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music
| length8 = 5:27
}}

==Personnel==
'''The National'''
* Matt Berninger – lead vocals
* Aaron Dessner – guitars, keyboard, bass
* Bryce Dessner – guitars
* Bryan Devendorf – drums, percussion
* Scott Devendorf – bass, guitar

'''Additional musicians'''
{{div col}}
* Tim Albright – trombone
* Hideaki Aomori – clarinet, bass clarinet
* Michael Atkinson – French horn
* [[Doveman|Thomas Bartlett]] – piano, keyboards
* [[Efterklang|Mads Christian Brauer]] – electronics and filtering
* CJ Camereri – trumpet, cornet
* Greg Chudzik – double bass
* Rachael Elliott – bassoon
* Alex Hamlin – baritone saxophone
* Marla Hansen – vocals
* Maria Jeffers – cello
* Bridget Kibbey – harp
* Thom Kozumplik – percussion
* Benjamin Lanz – trombone
* [[Rob Moose]] – violin
* Nico Muhly – celeste
* Dave Nelson – trombone
* Padma Newsome – violin, viola
* [[Richard Parry (musician)|Richard Reed Parry]] – double bass, electric guitar, piano, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Conversation 16")
* Kyle Resnick – trumpet
* [[Nadia Sirota]] – viola
* Alex Sopp – flute, bass flute
* Laurel Sprengelmeyer ([[Little Scream]]) – vocals
* [[Sufjan Stevens]] – harmonium, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Afraid of Everyone")
* Jeremy Thal – French horn
* [[Justin Vernon]] – vocals
{{end div col}}

* Produced by the National
* Additional production by Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and [[Peter Katis]]
* Recorded between March 2009 and January 2010 in Aaron's garage (Brooklyn, NY) by Peter Mavrogeorgis, Brandon Reid, Aaron Dessner, and Bryce Dessner
* Additional recording at Tarquin Studios (Bridgeport, CT) by Peter Katis, and at Kampo Studios (NYC) by Patrick Dillett
* Second engineer: Greg Georgio; assisted by Keith J Nelson
* Additional vocal recording by [[Christian Biegai]] (Berlin, Germany)
* Mixed by Peter Katis
* Additional mixing by Greg Georgio
* Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound (NYC)
* Orchestration by Bryce Dessner and Padma Newsome, except "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" and "Lemonworld" by [[Nico Muhly]]
* Cover sculpture – ''The Binding Force'' by Mark Fox
* Photography by Keith Klenowski
* Design by Distant Station Ltd.

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''High Violet''
! Chart (2010)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|29|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|20|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|3|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|32|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=The National|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|2|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|23|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Finland|9|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|France|29|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|10|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Greece|4|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland2|3|artist=The National|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|5|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|12|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Spain|78|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|5|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|14|artist=The National|album=High Violet|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|5|date=20100516|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=The National|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=The National|rowheader=true|access-date=March 22, 2021}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2010 Year-end chart performance for ''High Violet''
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2010&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2010|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>
| 25
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2010.pdf|title=End of Year 2010|publisher=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>
| 193
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2011 Year-end chart performance for ''High Violet''
! scope="col"| Chart (2011)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2011&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2011|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>
| 35
|}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications and sales==
==Singles==
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for and sales of ''High Violet''}}
*'''"Bloodbuzz Ohio"''' (May 3, 2010)
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Gold|certyear=2011|relyear=2010}}
**4AD (AD 3X22), 7" vinyl and digital download
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Gold|certyear=2013|relyear=2010}}
*# "Bloodbuzz Ohio" – 4:36
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Denmark|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Platinum|certyear=2020|relyear=2010|id=9369|access-date=July 19, 2021}}
*# "Sin-Eaters" – 3:40
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Gold|certyear=2011|relyear=2010|id=8666-2351-2|salesamount=126,623|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/you-can-find-solace-in-this-band-the-national-s-manager-opens-up-about-their-new-album/069789|publisher=Music Week |title='You can find solace in this band': The National's manager opens up about their new album|first=George|last=Garner|date= 14 September 2017|access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=High Violet|artist=The National|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2024|relyear=2010|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}


==Release history==
==Release history==
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for ''High Violet''
! width="150px"|Country
! style="width:150px;"|Country
! width="130px"|Date
! width="120px"|Label
! style="width:130px;"|Date
! style="width:120px;"|Label
! Format
! Format
! Catalogue #
! Catalogue #
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"|Worldwide
! scope="row" rowspan="4"|Various
| rowspan="4"|May 10, 2010;<br />May 11, 2010 (United States)
| rowspan="4"|May 10, 2010;<br />May 11, 2010 (United States)
| rowspan="4"|[[4AD]]
| rowspan="4"|[[4AD]]
Line 133: Line 334:
| CAD 3X03X
| CAD 3X03X
|-
|-
| Japan
! scope="row"| Japan
| May 26, 2010
| May 26, 2010
| [[Beggars Banquet Records|Beggars Japan]]/Hostess Entertainment
| [[Beggars Banquet Records|Beggars Japan]]/Hostess Entertainment
| CD (two bonus tracks)
| CD (two bonus tracks)
| CAD 3X03 CDJ/BGJ-10082
| CAD 3X03 CDJ/BGJ-10082
|-
! scope="row"| Various
| November 22, 2010
| 4AD
| 2CD expanded edition
| CAD 3X49 CD
|}
|}

==Credits==
* Produced by The National.
* Additional production by Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and [[Peter Katis]].
* Recorded between March 2009 and January 2010 in Aaron's garage (Brooklyn, NY) by Peter Mavrogeorgis, Brandon Reid, Aaron Dessner, and Bryce Dessner.
* Additional recording at Tarquin Studios (Bridgeport, CT) by Peter Katis, and at Kampo Studios (NYC) by Patrick Dillett.
* Second engineer: Greg Georgio; assisted by Keith Nelson.
* Additional vocal recording by Christian Biegai (Berlin, Germany).
* Mixed by Peter Katis.
* Additional mixing by Greg Georgio.
* Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound (NYC).
* Orchestration by Bryce Dessner and Padma Newsome, except "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" and "Lemonworld" by [[Nico Muhly]].
* Cover sculpture by Mark Fox.
* Photography by Keith Klenowski.
* Design by Distant Situation Ltd.

;Additional musicians
* Tim Albright – trombone
* Hideaki Aomori – clarinet, bass clarinet
* Michael Atkinson – French horn
* Thomas Bartlett – piano, keyboards
* [[Efterklang|Mads Christian Brauer]] – electronics and filtering
* CJ Camereri – trumpet, coronet
* Greg Chudzik – double bass
* Rachael Elliott – bassoon
* Alex Hamlin – baritone saxophone
* Marla Hansen – vocals
* Maria Jeffers – cello
* Bridget Kibbey – harp
* Thom Kozumplik – percussion
* Benjamin Lanz – trombone
* Rob Moose – violin
* Nico Muhly – celeste
* Dave Nelson – trombone
* Padma Newsome – violin, viola
* [[Richard Parry (musician)|Richard Reed Parry]] – double bass, electric guitar, piano, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Conversation 16")
* Kyle Resnick – trumpet
* Nadia Sirota – viola
* Alex Sopp – flute, bass flute
* Laurel Sprengelmeyer – vocals
* [[Sufjan Stevens]] – harmonium, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Afraid of Everyone")
* Jeremy Thai – French horn
* [[Justin Vernon]] – vocals


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{The National}}
{{The National}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2010 albums]]
[[Category:2010 albums]]
[[Category:The National albums]]
[[Category:The National (band) albums]]
[[Category:4AD albums]]
[[Category:4AD albums]]
[[Category:Rock albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Aaron Dessner]]

Latest revision as of 14:28, 15 December 2024

This article is about the album. For the band, see The High Violets.
"Lemonworld" redirects here. For the Ocean Alley song, see Lost Tropics.
"Little Faith" redirects here. For the television series, see Little Faith (TV series).
High Violet
Studio album by
the National
ReleasedMay 10, 2010 (2010-05-10)
RecordedMarch 2009 – January 2010
Studio
Genre
Length47:40
Label4AD
ProducerThe National
The National chronology
The Virginia EP
(2008) 		High Violet
(2010) 		Trouble Will Find Me
(2013)
Singles from High Violet
  1. "Bloodbuzz Ohio"
    Released: May 3, 2010
  2. "Anyone's Ghost"
    Released: June 28, 2010
  3. "Conversation 16"
    Released: October 25, 2010
  4. "Terrible Love (Alternate Version)"
    Released: November 22, 2010

High Violet is the fifth studio album by The National, which was released on May 10, 2010, in Europe and on May 11, 2010, in North America via 4AD.[1] The band produced the album themselves, assisted by Peter Katis with whom they worked on their previous albums Alligator and Boxer at their own studio in Brooklyn, New York, and at Katis' Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut.[2] The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called The Binding Force.[2][3]

An expanded edition of High Violet was released through 4AD on November 22, 2010.[4][5] The reissue includes the standard 11-track album along with a new bonus disc, featuring the unreleased tracks "You Were a Kindness" and "Wake Up Your Saints" as well as alternate versions, B-sides, and live recordings.

Release

[edit]

On March 10, 2010, they performed opening track "Terrible Love" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, two months before the album's release.

The album's first single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" was made available for download on the band's website on March 24, 2010. The song was also released on 7" vinyl (with the exclusive B-side "Sin-Eaters") on May 3, 2010.[6]

On April 19, 2010, a low-quality version of the album was leaked onto the internet in its entirety which prompted the band to announce that the album would be streaming on The New York Times' website from April 23 until April 27,[7][8] then on NPR's website until May 11.[9]

On May 13, 2010, the band played "Afraid of Everyone" on the Late Show with David Letterman. Sufjan Stevens sang backup for them during this performance.

High Violet sold 51,000 copies in its first week of sales, charting at number three on the Billboard 200. This marked the National's highest charting effort at the time (beating Boxer, which debuted at number 68),[10] until the release of Sleep Well Beast in 2017, which debuted at number two.[11]

In May 2013, the band played High Violet track "Sorrow" 105 times in a row at an art installation in New York, in a performance lasting six hours.[12] This durational performance was released as a special vinyl-only box set entitled A Lot of Sorrow by 4AD in June 2015.[13]

In June 2020, the expanded edition of High Violet was released on vinyl for the first time as the 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition.[14]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.3/10[15]
Metacritic85/100[16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
The A.V. ClubA[18]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[19]
The Guardian[20]
Los Angeles Times[21]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A−[22]
NME8/10[23]
Pitchfork8.7/10[24]
Rolling Stone[25]
Spin8/10[26]

High Violet was released to widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a score of 85 out of 100 based on 36 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[16] BBC Music critic Mike Diver hailed the album as the National's "finest disc to date" and "a potential album of the year".[27] Andrew Gaerig of Pitchfork wrote that "when they aim for powerful or poetic, they get there" and described High Violet as "the sound of a band taking a mandate to be a meaningful rock band seriously."[24] Steven Hyden of The A.V. Club called the album "carefully considered without being labored" and "richly detailed without being fussy".[18] The Guardian's Dave Simpson wrote that High Violet "is beautifully subtle" and "grows in power with each listen",[20] and The Independent's Andy Gill called it "a masterclass in subtle emotional shading".[28] Sputnikmusic writer Channing Freeman cited the album as the band's "third masterpiece in a row".[29]

High Violet appeared on several publications' year-end lists of the best albums of 2010. Time named it the fourth best album of the year,[30] and it also placed at number 15 on Rolling Stone's list of the 30 best albums of 2010.[31] Pitchfork placed it at number 28 on their list of the 50 best albums of 2010.[32] Exclaim! ranked High Violet at number 7 on their list of the Best Pop & Rock Albums of 2010, with critic Travis Persaud stating that it "continues the envious feat of releasing another album that's superior to its predecessor."[33] The album placed at number eight on The Village Voice's year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll.[34] High Violet was awarded a Q Award for Best Album, an honor presented to the National by English musician Bernard Sumner.[35] The album was also included in the 2011 edition of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 2019, Pitchfork ranked the album at number 147 on their list of "The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s".[36]

Chart history

[edit]

The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard and also debuted in Canada at number two, in Portugal at number three, and in Germany at number 10.[10][37][38] High Violet was certified gold in Canada, Denmark, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. In 2011 it was awarded a diamond certification from the Independent Music Companies Association,[39] which indicated sales of at least 200,000 copies throughout Europe. It has sold 326,846 copies in the U.S. as of September 2014.[40]

[edit]

A number of tracks from the album have featured variously throughout popular culture.

Track listing

[edit]
Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Terrible Love"Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner4:39
2."Sorrow"Berninger, A. Dessner3:25
3."Anyone's Ghost"Berninger, Bryce Dessner2:54
4."Little Faith"Berninger, Carin Besser, A. Dessner4:36
5."Afraid of Everyone"Berninger, A. Dessner4:19
6."Bloodbuzz Ohio"Berninger, A. Dessner, Padma Newsome4:36
7."Lemonworld"Berninger, B. Dessner3:23
8."Runaway"Berninger, A. Dessner5:33
9."Conversation 16"Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner4:18
10."England"Berninger, A. Dessner5:40
11."Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks"Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner4:12
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Walk Off"Berninger, A. Dessner2:40
13."Sin-Eaters"Berninger, A. Dessner3:40
Expanded edition bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Terrible Love" (Alternate Version)Berninger, A. Dessner4:18
2."Wake Up Your Saints"Berninger, A. Dessner4:14
3."You Were a Kindness"Berninger, A. Dessner4:25
4."Walk Off"Berninger, A. Dessner2:40
5."Sin-Eaters"Berninger, A. Dessner3:39
6."Bloodbuzz Ohio" (Live on The Current)Berninger, A. Dessner, Newsome3:53
7."Anyone's Ghost" (Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music)Berninger, B. Dessner2:58
8."England" (Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music)Berninger, A. Dessner5:27

Personnel

[edit]

The National

  • Matt Berninger – lead vocals
  • Aaron Dessner – guitars, keyboard, bass
  • Bryce Dessner – guitars
  • Bryan Devendorf – drums, percussion
  • Scott Devendorf – bass, guitar

Additional musicians

  • Tim Albright – trombone
  • Hideaki Aomori – clarinet, bass clarinet
  • Michael Atkinson – French horn
  • Thomas Bartlett – piano, keyboards
  • Mads Christian Brauer – electronics and filtering
  • CJ Camereri – trumpet, cornet
  • Greg Chudzik – double bass
  • Rachael Elliott – bassoon
  • Alex Hamlin – baritone saxophone
  • Marla Hansen – vocals
  • Maria Jeffers – cello
  • Bridget Kibbey – harp
  • Thom Kozumplik – percussion
  • Benjamin Lanz – trombone
  • Rob Moose – violin
  • Nico Muhly – celeste
  • Dave Nelson – trombone
  • Padma Newsome – violin, viola
  • Richard Reed Parry – double bass, electric guitar, piano, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Conversation 16")
  • Kyle Resnick – trumpet
  • Nadia Sirota – viola
  • Alex Sopp – flute, bass flute
  • Laurel Sprengelmeyer (Little Scream) – vocals
  • Sufjan Stevens – harmonium, vocals, backing vocal arrangements (on "Afraid of Everyone")
  • Jeremy Thal – French horn
  • Justin Vernon – vocals
  • Produced by the National
  • Additional production by Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Peter Katis
  • Recorded between March 2009 and January 2010 in Aaron's garage (Brooklyn, NY) by Peter Mavrogeorgis, Brandon Reid, Aaron Dessner, and Bryce Dessner
  • Additional recording at Tarquin Studios (Bridgeport, CT) by Peter Katis, and at Kampo Studios (NYC) by Patrick Dillett
  • Second engineer: Greg Georgio; assisted by Keith J Nelson
  • Additional vocal recording by Christian Biegai (Berlin, Germany)
  • Mixed by Peter Katis
  • Additional mixing by Greg Georgio
  • Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound (NYC)
  • Orchestration by Bryce Dessner and Padma Newsome, except "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" and "Lemonworld" by Nico Muhly
  • Cover sculpture – The Binding Force by Mark Fox
  • Photography by Keith Klenowski
  • Design by Distant Station Ltd.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications for and sales of High Violet
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[64] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[65] Gold 40,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[66] Platinum 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Gold 126,623[67]
United States (RIAA)[69] Gold 500,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history for High Violet
Country Date Label Format Catalogue #
Various May 10, 2010;
May 11, 2010 (United States) 		4AD CD CAD 3X03 CD
Limited CD (with foil-stamped slipcase and special poster) CAD 3X03 CDX
2LP (standard black vinyl) CAD 3X03
Limited 2LP (violet-coloured heavyweight vinyl) CAD 3X03X
Japan May 26, 2010 Beggars Japan/Hostess Entertainment CD (two bonus tracks) CAD 3X03 CDJ/BGJ-10082
Various November 22, 2010 4AD 2CD expanded edition CAD 3X49 CD

References

[edit]
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