Concertwire.com

Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn-based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf. The National’s fifth album, High Violet, (released on May 11) consists of pulses and impulses that pull against each other creating a balance of tension ’ let’s call it musical tensegrity. Engineered to stand up in unlikely ways, the album is a triumph of sonic architecture; adorned with unexpected, alchemical, and happenstance details, it is an ornamental wonder. Cathartic, raw and reflective, the record reveals ever-deeper musical and lyrical wonders with each listen. The band has worked with indie legends, among them Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Sufjan Stevens, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Padma Newsome (Clogs), Nico Muhly, and Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), which only further speaks to the epic greatness that is The National. Do not miss this unbelievable show at the Ryman.