I was in a bad mood just moments earlier after my beloved headphones crocked, but now I am happy. The National have given away “Afraid Of Everyone” as a free download from High Violet. It’s the second freebie from the album, and the National join Band Of Horses and The Hold Steady in the smart internet marking club. I am sorry I am late on sharing this with you. I just got out of class, and my dorms internet was fucking with me. Now I am back and ready to share the goods.
“Afraid Of Everyone” is track #5 on High Violet, standing as a middle beam for the album. I can understand their reasoning for placing it in the middle, it has a lot of backbone. With Sufjan Stevens on backing vocals, and an emotionally gripping up-build, it is one hell of a song.
I love BloodBuzz Ohio, but I could see it fitting on Boxer. This is not the case for “Afraid”. It’s darker, establishing a different mood from the band who has made a career out of creating many different moods and atmospheres. The production on the song puts the band trapped away in a dark forbidden basement, giving us something new and exciting. The last few minutes where the band hauntingly tells us “Your voice is swallowing my soul” is simply mesmerizing.
This is why The National have become one of my favorite bands. They simply never cease to amaze.
[mp3]: The National – Afraid Of Everyone
I also posted a new The National b-side Sin-Eaters, which you can listen to here.
Join the conversation