Track Reviews: The National, Hold Steady, LCD Soundsystem

March 29, 2010

MP3 The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio

Although the The National first met in Brooklyn, NY all five members grew up in Cincinnati, OH, which makes the first single on their highly anticipated new album, High Violet, a thematic return to their roots. The song focuses on the band’s complicated relationship with their hometown from the intense, intoxicating sensation that arises from being among your blood relatives (a “blood buzz”) to the feelings of disenchantment and anguish in lines like “I never thought about love, when I thought about home”. The wistful musings are backed by the band’s striking, dynamic sound that they have perfected over the last decade. Matt Berninger’s distinctive baritone is in excellent form while the captivating percussion propells the song forward. In the last minute, trumpet and piano join the spirited guitar riff culminating in an unbelieveably gorgeous climax. I already count this among the band’s best songs, and for this particular band, that’s saying a whole lot.

MP3 The Hold Steady – Hurricane J

The Hold Steady are set to release their fifth album, Heaven Is Whenever, this year, and lucky for us the band are still making positive jams and and reminiscing about those massive nights. This song has Craig Finn in familiar territory singing about the beautiful, messed up girl who’s caught up with the wrong crowd. The production here sounds a bit more clean and crisp then before, which amplifies the band’s melodic, anthemic qualities. As always, there’s some amazing lyrics (”You’re a beautiful girl / And you’re a pretty good waitress” was an instant fave) and an epic rock-and-roll chorus that will be awesome to sing live. Seriously though, it’s the frickin’ Hold Steady, what did you expect?

MP3 LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls

When I first listened to LCD Soundsystem’s “Drunk Girls” my first thought was that while it’s certainly a fun party song, it was too brazen, too obvious, maybe even a bit obnoxious. As I’ve listened to it more though, the song has steadily grown on me. James Murphy’s Bowie / Eno / Lou Reed influence is stronger than ever on this track, musically the song is similar to “White Light / White Heat” and I can’t help but think of “Boys Keep Swinging” when I heard those chanting background vocals. The chorus packs a huge punch and the densely-packed outro is incredible. This is going to be a rager live. The song doesn’t have the same transcendent, cut-to-the-heart quality as my favorite LCD tracks (”All My Friends, “Something Great”) but as the successor to “North American Scum”, this song more than suffices.

Posted by Taylor in Track Review