High Violet

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title: "High Violet" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2010-albums", "the-national-(band)-albums", "4ad-albums", "albums-produced-by-aaron-dessner"] topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Violet" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox album"]

FieldValue
nameHigh Violet
typestudio
artistthe National
coverhighviolet.jpg
borderyes
released
recordedMarch 2009 – January 2010
studio{{flatlist
genre
length47:40
label4AD
producerThe National
prev_titleThe Virginia EP
prev_year2008
next_titleTrouble Will Find Me
next_year2013
misc{{Singles
nameHigh Violet
typestudio
single1Bloodbuzz Ohio
single1dateMay 3, 2010
single2Anyone's Ghost
single2dateJune 28, 2010
single3Conversation 16
single3dateOctober 25, 2010
single4Terrible Love (Alternate Version)
single4dateNovember 22, 2010
::

| name = High Violet | type = studio | artist = the National | cover = highviolet.jpg | border = yes | alt = | released = | recorded = March 2009 – January 2010 | studio = {{flatlist|

  • Aaron's Garage, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, New York
  • Tarquin Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut}} | genre = | length = 47:40 | 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, which was released on May 10, 2010, in Europe and on May 11, 2010, in North America via 4AD. 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. The sculpture on the album cover was created by artist Mark Fox, and is called The Binding Force.

An expanded edition of High Violet was released through 4AD on November 22, 2010. 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

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.

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, then on NPR's website until May 11.

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), until the release of Sleep Well Beast in 2017, which debuted at number two.

In May 2013, the band played High Violet track "Sorrow" 105 times in a row at an art installation entitled A Lot of Sorrow, in a performance lasting six hours at MoMA PS1 in New York. This durational performance, created in collaboration with artist Ragnar Kjartannsson, was released as a special vinyl-only box set by 4AD in June 2015.

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

Critical reception

| ADM = 8.3/10 | MC = 85/100 | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = | rev2 = The A.V. Club | rev2score = A | rev3 = Entertainment Weekly | rev3score = B+ | rev4 = The Guardian | rev4score = | rev5 = Los Angeles Times | rev5score = | rev6 = MSN Music (Consumer Guide) | rev6score = A− | rev7 = NME | rev7score = 8/10 | rev8 = Pitchfork | rev8score = 8.7/10 | rev9 = Rolling Stone | rev9score = | rev10 = Spin | rev10score = 8/10 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". BBC Music critic Mike Diver hailed the album as the National's "finest disc to date" and "a potential album of the year". 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." Steven Hyden of The A.V. Club called the album "carefully considered without being labored" and "richly detailed without being fussy". *The Guardian*s Dave Simpson wrote that High Violet "is beautifully subtle" and "grows in power with each listen", and *The Independent*s Andy Gill called it "a masterclass in subtle emotional shading". Sputnikmusic writer Channing Freeman cited the album as the band's "third masterpiece in a row".

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, and it also placed at number 15 on *Rolling Stone*s list of the 30 best albums of 2010. Pitchfork placed it at number 28 on their list of the 50 best albums of 2010. 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." The album placed at number eight on *The Village Voice*s year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll. High Violet was awarded a Q Award for Best Album, an honor presented to the National by English musician Bernard Sumner. 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".

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. 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, 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.

In popular culture

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

Track listing

| headline = Standard edition | title1 = Terrible Love | writer1 = Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner | length1 = 4:39 | title2 = Sorrow | writer2 = Berninger, A. Dessner | length2 = 3:25 | title3 = Anyone's Ghost | writer3 = Berninger, Bryce Dessner | length3 = 2:54 | title4 = Little Faith | writer4 = Berninger, Carin Besser, A. Dessner | length4 = 4:36 | title5 = Afraid of Everyone | writer5 = Berninger, A. Dessner | length5 = 4:19 | title6 = Bloodbuzz Ohio | writer6 = Berninger, A. Dessner, Padma Newsome | length6 = 4:36 | title7 = Lemonworld | writer7 = Berninger, B. Dessner | length7 = 3:23 | title8 = Runaway | writer8 = Berninger, A. Dessner | length8 = 5:33 | title9 = Conversation 16 | writer9 = Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner | length9 = 4:18 | title10 = England | writer10 = Berninger, A. Dessner | length10 = 5:40 | title11 = Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks | writer11 = Berninger, Besser, A. Dessner | length11 = 4:12 | 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

| 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 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

  • 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

Weekly charts

::data[format=table title="Weekly chart performance for ''High Violet''"] | Chart (2010) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table title="2010 Year-end chart performance for ''High Violet''"]

Chart (2010)PositionBelgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)UK Albums (OCC)
25
193
::

::data[format=table title="2011 Year-end chart performance for ''High Violet''"]

Chart (2011)PositionBelgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
35
::

Certifications and sales

Release history

::data[format=table title="Release history for ''High Violet''"]

CountryDateLabelFormatCatalogue #VariousJapanVarious
May 10, 2010;
May 11, 2010 (United States)4ADCDCAD 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
May 26, 2010Beggars Japan/Hostess EntertainmentCD (two bonus tracks)CAD 3X03 CDJ/BGJ-10082
November 22, 20104AD2CD expanded editionCAD 3X49 CD
::

References

References

  1. (5 March 2010). "New National Album: High Violet". [[Pitchfork Media]].
  2. [http://4ad.com/news/reveal-album-det/ 4AD - The National reveal further details for High Violet] {{webarchive. link. (2010-03-22)
  3. "Archived copy".
  4. (28 September 2010). "4AD - News - 'High Violet' Expanded Edition details announced". [[4AD]].
  5. M., Paul. (28 September 2010). "Double CD reissue of The National's High Violet".
  6. [http://www.4ad.com/news/download-free-mp/ 4AD - The National - Download Free MP3 of the new single, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'] {{webarchive. link. (2011-06-06)
  7. [http://tntl.tumblr.com/#533689000 Tumblr Blog Post]
  8. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html The National Agenda - NYTimes.com]
  9. [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126220062 First Listen: The National, 'High Violet']
  10. "Spinner.com - The National - Billboard Album Chart".
  11. "The National".
  12. (January 2026). "The National undertake song marathon for art installation". 3 News NZ.
  13. "Ragnar Kjartansson / The National – A Lot Of Sorrow (Vinyl, Box Set) at Discogs". [[Discogs]].
  14. "The National: 'High Violet - 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition' - 4AD.com".
  15. "High Violet by The National reviews". AnyDecentMusic?.
  16. "Reviews for High Violet by The National". [[Metacritic]].
  17. Monger, James Christopher. "High Violet – The National". [[AllMusic]].
  18. Hyden, Steven. (May 11, 2010). "The National: High Violet". [[The A.V. Club]].
  19. Greenblatt, Leah. (May 5, 2010). "High Violet".
  20. Simpson, Dave. (May 6, 2010). "The National: High Violet". [[The Guardian]].
  21. Wappler, Margaret. (May 11, 2010). "Album review: The National's 'High Violet'". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  22. Christgau, Robert. (July 2010). "Consumer Guide". [[MSN Music]].
  23. Kennedy, Adam. (May 7, 2010). "Album Review: The National – 'High Violet' (4AD)". [[NME]].
  24. Gaerig, Andrew. (May 10, 2010). "The National: High Violet". [[Pitchfork (website).
  25. Hermes, Will. (May 11, 2011). "High Violet".
  26. Modell, Josh. (May 11, 2010). "The National, 'High Violet' (4AD)". [[Spin (magazine).
  27. Diver, Mike. "The National High Violet Review". [[BBC Music]].
  28. Gill, Andy. (May 7, 2010). "Album: The National, High Violet (4AD)". [[The Independent]].
  29. Freeman, Channing. (April 22, 2010). "The National – High Violet". Sputnikmusic.
  30. Suddath, Claire. (December 9, 2010). "The National, High Violet".
  31. (December 25, 2010). "The 30 Best Albums of 2010".
  32. (December 16, 2010). "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2010". [[Pitchfork (website).
  33. (November 25, 2010). "Pop & Rock Year in Review". [[Exclaim!]].
  34. "Pazz+Jop 2010". [[The Village Voice]].
  35. (October 25, 2010). "The Awards 2010: Best Album – The National". [[Q (magazine).
  36. (8 October 2019). "The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s". [[Pitchfork (website).
  37. "AOL news story".
  38. "German charts".
  39. "color".
  40. (September 2014). "September 17 & 23 releases". [[Universal Music Group]].
  41. "Jaaroverzichten 2010". Ultratop.
  42. "End of Year 2010". [[UKChartsPlus]].
  43. "Jaaroverzichten 2011". Ultratop.
  44. Garner, George. (14 September 2017). "'You can find solace in this band': The National's manager opens up about their new album". Music Week.

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