and the voices are in my soul soul soul

I was going to try to be really objective in writing up the Zync/AmEx-sponsored, YouTube-streamed The National concert at BAM, but failed repeatedly as I realized that the reasons it was so great are because The National continually conjures up feelings and reactions that are entirely non-objective.  In short, it was basically the greatest thing ever.  Matt Berninger feels every word and note that he writes/sings, and his crazy maniacal emotive stage presence filled the BAM Opera house multiple times over.  The core band was supported by a string and horn section, as well as a smattering of other guest musicians featured on High Violet, including Sufjan Stevens and Richard Reed Parry (of Arcade Fire) - who I love immensely.

The setlist was a solid mix of High Violet, as well as favorites from Boxer and Alligator.  Considering that the last time I saw The National in 2007 there was a torrential downpour on the quad and things had to be cut short, this was a pretty much perfect show.  The new album is a continuation of that perfect hybrid of emotions that they play so well.  Every song is so genuinely performed that everyone can feel like The National are speaking both directly to you and directly about you.