CD Review

Artist: The National
Album: Trouble Will Find Me
Label: 4AD
Grade: A-

The National had already made waves in 2013 by playing a six hour straight set of only one of their songs (“Sorrow”) over and over again, which they aptly titled “Six Hours of Sorrow”. They seem to be out on a mission to remind everyone that they are still as prominent as they were back in 2010 when they released High Violet, which was home itself to “Sorrow.” Thankfully, they’ve also stuck to more traditional means of doing this and have given us Trouble Will Find Me, which is a solid contribution to their already defined discography. The album is peppered with great singles such as the “Don’t Swallow the Cap” and “Demons”, but lead singer Matt Berninger’s crooning baritone voice still remains an anchor to take you through the album. As with High Violet, there are a lot of notable guests on Trouble, including Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire and Nona Marie Invie of Dark Dark Dark. Together, they help push Trouble from just entry into The National’s work to the emotional standard fans have come to expect.

– Nathan Ross