High Violet

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.[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 }}

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,[http://tntl.tumblr.com/#533689000 Tumblr Blog Post][https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html The National Agenda - NYTimes.com] then on NPR's website until May 11.[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126220062 First Listen: The National, 'High Violet']

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),{{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 }} until the release of Sleep Well Beast in 2017, which debuted at number two.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-national|title = The National|magazine = Billboard}}

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.{{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}} This durational performance was released as a special vinyl-only box set entitled A Lot of Sorrow by 4AD in June 2015.{{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}}

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

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 8.3/10{{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}}

| MC = 85/100{{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}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{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}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = A{{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}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B+{{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 }}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}{{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}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5score = {{rating|3.5|4}}{{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}}

| rev6 = MSN Music (Consumer Guide)

| rev6score = A−{{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}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = 8/10{{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 }}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 8.7/10{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14203-high-violet/ |title=The National: High Violet |work=Pitchfork |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=May 10, 2010 |last=Gaerig |first=Andrew}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{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}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = 8/10{{cite journal |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/national-high-violet-4ad |title=The National, 'High Violet' (4AD) |journal=Spin |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |last=Modell |first=Josh}}

}}

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".{{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}} 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".{{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}} Sputnikmusic writer Channing Freeman cited the album as the band's "third masterpiece in a row".{{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}}

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,{{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 |date=December 9, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2012 |last=Suddath |first=Claire}} and it also placed at number 15 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the 30 best albums of 2010.{{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}} Pitchfork placed it at number 28 on their list of the 50 best albums of 2010.{{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 |date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=December 21, 2012}} 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."{{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}} The album placed at number eight on The Village Voice{{'}}s year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll.{{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 }} High Violet was awarded a Q Award for Best Album, an honor presented to the National by English musician Bernard Sumner.{{cite web |url=http://news.qthemusic.com/2010/10/winner_best_album_-_winner.html |title=The Awards 2010: Best Album – The National |work=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}} 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".{{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|date=8 October 2019|access-date=9 October 2019}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/05/19/the-national-color-billboard-200-violet-high-debut/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521200840/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/05/19/the-national-color-billboard-200-violet-high-debut/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 21, 2010 |title=AOL news story}}{{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 }} 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,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.
• "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.
• The track "England" was used in 2018 by BBC Sport in a montage detailing England's penalty shootout victory over Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
• The track was also featured in the twelfth episode of the seventh season of the ABC series Grey's Anatomy.
• The expanded edition track "You Were a Kindness" featured at the climax of the Apple TV+ miniseries Defending Jacob.

{{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

}}

{{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 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

}}

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
• 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

{{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.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for and sales of High Violet}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Belgium|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Gold|certyear=2011|relyear=2010}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=The National|title=High Violet|award=Gold|certyear=2013|relyear=2010}}

{{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}}

{{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={{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}}}}

{{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}}

{{Reflist}}

{{The National}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2010 albums

Category:The National (band) albums

Category:4AD albums

Category:Albums produced by Aaron Dessner