Depression is often the source of much celebration in our world. The moodiest films tend to draw the most praise from the critics and, consequently, the most nominations at the Oscars. Angst-filled songs that wail of emotional turmoil and existential dread can turn off individuals who prefer light and pop-evocative tunes, but it can be a soothing and interesting experience for individuals who may be fed up with poppy lyrics and seek a change of pace in terms of listening enjoyment. Such individuals will no doubt be pleased by the arrival of indie rock band The National’s latest album, Trouble Will Find Me, the follow-up to 2010’s acclaimed album High Violet.
Professionally speaking, I haven’t had too much exposure to The National. My introduction to the band was made possible by the 2011 video game Portal 2 and its incorporation of “Exile Vilify”. Its melodic tones and general atmosphere gave me a good first impression of The National, and ever since then I’ve kept a close eye on the band. The concept of the album involves two lovers named Joe and Jennifer going through a failing relationship, and while songs about break-ups are nothing new, singer Matt Berninger’s voice manages to be mournful without sounding whiny or overly angst-ridden. It reverberates with tones of regret and depression throughout the length of the album, which helps to maintain consistency in telling its story. Something that, while not bothersome, did end up becoming a pet peeve for me was the fact that the intonation of the lyrics were sometimes at odds with the tempo of the music, which resulted in some stanzas being hurriedly sung as if to avoid playing catch-up with the rest of the song. I wouldn’t say it’s too problematic, but it’s definitely noticeable and can be a bit off-putting.
The album is by no stretch of the imagination a happy one. That’s not a bad thing, however. The album is well-written and well-composed, and it’s clear a great amount of care went into its realization. One song I particularly liked was “Don’t Swallow the Cap”, which was released as a single on April 11. The overall tone of the song is equal parts melancholic and beautiful, and something about the atmosphere gives the impression of being trapped in the crushing depths of the ocean. It’s quite an apt comparison given the theme of loneliness present in the song, and while none of the songs are inferior, I would easily recommend this song above the rest due to how well it stands out in my mind.
I went in not knowing what to expect from Trouble Will Find Me, and after listening to its entirety I can’t decide if I like it or not. That’s not to say Trouble Will Find Me is a bad album. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I think it’s a great album to listen if you’re feeling dismal and want something to help you get through a difficult time, and I can easily see “Don’t Swallow the Cap” gaining legs as a single, which could lead to an interest in the album as a whole. I just think that Trouble Will Find Me is best suited as a situationial album that should be played at the lowest points of your life. I even had to stop the album a few times while listening to it because the overall mood got a bit too much for me at the end. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to get in touch with your emotions, and Trouble Will Find Me hits those notes in that regard. If you’re a fan of The National, you probably don’t need any more incentive to purchase the album through whatever means necessary. But if you’re not a fan and you’re simply tired of what mainstream music has to offer, give Trouble Will Find Me a chance. It’s a musical experience you won’t find anywhere else.
-John Martinez