The video for The National’s “Conversation 16″ (a highlight among highlights on 2010’s Top 5 album, High Violet) is a love story starring Kristen Schaal as the president of the US, John Slattery as a secret service agent, and James Urbaniak as the president of Russia. Huh? Huh.
Pretty goofy for such a vastly deep, depressing [...]

Above, a video for The National’s “Terrible Love” (alternate version from the one found on High Violet) of behind the scenes tour footage put together by lead singer Matt Berninger’s brother, Tom.
Banana: Who am I? Perfect.

The National capped off a week of California shows (including last Friday’s spectacular set at The Wiltern) with a performance of High Violet’s “Anyone’s Ghost” on Craig Ferguson. Clip above, no wine.

(Photo via Losanjealous)
“I’m put together beautifully/Big wet bottle in my fist/big wet rose in my teeth/I’m a perfect piece of ass.”
The National entered the spotlight at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on Friday night as you’d expect them to; upstanding, cool, dark suited and tied. Matt Berninger sings, “showered and blue-blazered/fill yourself with [...]

Sufjan Stevens (hello new album?), who offered backup vocals to The National’s “Afraid of Everyone” (and joined the band yesterday at their temporary High Violet Annex in NYC), performed the track with The National on Letterman last night. It was almost unmanageable.
Full review of this album coming when I can form the words.

I still owe money to the money to the money I owe.
Ohio natives, The National, debuted the painfully nostalgic “Bloodbuzz Ohio” earlier today on BBC radio, and Stereogum premiered the album version shortly after courtesy of 4AD. Looking pretty official with the above artwork as the first single from the upcoming, High Violet (May 11). [...]

The National gave a “super early preview” on Jimmy Fallon of the opening track, “Terrible Love,” from their upcoming full-length, High Violet. According to Stereogum, this hadn’t even aired as of yesterday. Nothing shocking to report here. Trumpets dance among a calm sea of guitar and piano as Matt Berninger’s voice scratches through the smooth [...]