THE NATIONAL - FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN
Indie alt-rock band, The National, released their much anticipated 10th studio album titled “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” on Friday, April 28th. The National has proved their strong longevity; passing career points in which lesser bands would start simmering out, but they have only grown stronger.
The first Two Pages of Frankenstein are the sound of an artist trudging through the hell that is writer’s block and deepening sadness. This theme was only to be expected for The National, as their frontman Matt Berninger has come into two decades of his career being a singer for the band. As time wears on, burnout is an artist’s worst, but most prevalent enemy. Matt Berninger tells Apple Music, “I was burned out on introspection and self-analysis and making all these things about complicated personal things. It was a mess I didn’t want to clean up in my mind. So I just avoided it.”
The result of Berninger’s personal avoidance of declining mental health combined with burnout, was First Two Pages of Frankenstein which features Berninger’s wife, Carin Bessel, as well as famously known artists Taylor Swift, Sufjan Stevens, and Phoebe Bridgers. Berninger told Apple Music, “It [The music] felt like a friend like it was doing me some emotional good like it was untangling the knot. I think getting out of my head and getting out of whatever loop I was in broke the spell. The approach that I ultimately had was to start exposing these weird, blurry, dark feelings to sunlight. This record is that - a record that I needed to fix myself.”
As always, The National conveys these complicated emotions in such pristine fashion, even if you yourself have never felt the rolling tides of emotions as a burnt-out artist, you feel as if Berninger himself has picked your thoughts and emotions from your brain and injected them into their music. He has long been supported by his incredibly talented band (and two sets of brothers!) - multi-instrumentalists Aaron and Bryce Dessner, as well as Scott and Bryan Devendorf the bassist and drummer respectively. Over the course of their many albums, they have become one of the most talented bands in America.
The album starts off with a soft piano ballad, “Once Upon a Poolside”, which features Sufjan Stevens. This song is perfect for setting the tone of the album - it has the earmarks of being much like an introductory section to an exceptionally complicated mess. Berninger’s stark baritone voice is complimented by the whimsical, airy voicings of Sufjan Stevens which is very typical for his discography, but always adds a certain type of magic to music. “What was the worried thing you said to me?” Is a lyrical moment highlighted in the song, which could be foreshadowing the rest of the record disencumbering a multitude of worried feelings.
“Eucalyptus” is a classic breakup song without all the classic clichés. Along with the rest of their discography, the tune may sound simple and repetitive, but give it one deep listen and you’ll begin to understand each member’s role in the music, and how much their lyrics truly
mean. It catapults into the “New Order T-Shirt” which views memories as a source of comfort; even the little things like stolen glances or the smallest sounds can mean so much in the future.
They released two songs with esteemed singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, “This Isn’t Helping” and “Your Mind is Not Your Friend”. Both songs are hauntingly beautiful, but “Your Mind is Not Your Friend’ stands out the most, and for good reason. The song itself serves as a friend letting you know that you’re not alone in this battle and Bridgers’ beautiful voice helps emphasize that, as well as bringing comfort. Taylor Swift was also a big name featured on the album, as she is friends with band member Aaron Dessner (he even produced two of her albums). She sings a beautiful duet with Berninger on “The Alcott”, an old-fashioned love song that Swift brings much-needed alluring emotion too.
Even though it is quite the slower, more damper album, songs like “Tropic Morning News” and “Grease in Your Hair” give the tracklist some necessary uplifting beats, reminding the listener that while Frankenstein does cover some raw and saddening topics, it does indeed get better. “Send For Me” ends the album on a high note, serving as another reminder that it is possible to crawl out of the darkness.
Overall, this album is perfect for any artist or person who is struggling with unpacking hard, human feelings. The smooth, dark melodies combined with the cavernous lyrics are somehow complex yet relatable. Despite the deep emotions it serves, this album was somewhat mundane and predictable for the group. Even so, the unwavering talent and raw passion in undeniable for The National, and they prove to have a high potential for their career after their four-year break and ever-consuming writer’s block.
All interview credits go to Apple Music.
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You can find The National’s “First Two Pages of Frankenstein” Here, as well as the link to find their upcoming tour dates Here!