Portland-based indie rock trio Menomena are back with their first new release in over a decade. Stream their surprise three-track EP, The Insulation, below.
The Insulation rotates vocalists on each of its three songs; Danny Seim sings the title track, Justin Harris takes the lead on “Copious,” and Brent Knopf is responsible for the vocals on “Caravan.” As Pitchfork points out, “The Insulation” and “Copious” were separately released in 2010 as B-sides for their album Mines, but were not on streaming until now.
The title track is immersive and sprawling, building in multiple lengthy instrumental breaks. “Copious” picks up the pace with a more playful rhythm, while “Caravan” closes things out with a reverberating, glittering atmosphere.
While Menomena never officially broke up, Knopf did leave the band in 2011 to focus on other efforts — including linking up with The National’s Bryan Devendorf for a project called Pfarmers — making The Insulation his...
The Insulation rotates vocalists on each of its three songs; Danny Seim sings the title track, Justin Harris takes the lead on “Copious,” and Brent Knopf is responsible for the vocals on “Caravan.” As Pitchfork points out, “The Insulation” and “Copious” were separately released in 2010 as B-sides for their album Mines, but were not on streaming until now.
The title track is immersive and sprawling, building in multiple lengthy instrumental breaks. “Copious” picks up the pace with a more playful rhythm, while “Caravan” closes things out with a reverberating, glittering atmosphere.
While Menomena never officially broke up, Knopf did leave the band in 2011 to focus on other efforts — including linking up with The National’s Bryan Devendorf for a project called Pfarmers — making The Insulation his...
- 4/16/2024
- by Mary Siroky
- Consequence - Music
The National have been so good at producing National songs for so long that it’s been easy to take them for granted. Whenever the Brooklyn indie-rock institution passed a career point at which a lesser band might start breaking down — albums five, six, seven — they just got stronger, releasing some of their best work well into their second decade. In hindsight, this longevity seems obvious. The hallmarks of a National song — wry, affective lyrics; earthquake-proof song structures; painterly arrangements — seem tailor-built to sound more graceful with age.
And yet,...
And yet,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Clayton Purdom
- Rollingstone.com
The National took to the late night stage Friday to perform “Tropic Morning News” on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Frontman Matt Berninger led the vocals while backed with bandmates Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, and Scott Devendorf.
In January, the group announced their upcoming album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, sharing “Tropic Morning News” as the project’s lead single. The following month, they released “New Order T-Shirt,” the second pre-release track from their ninth studio album set for release on April 28.
The album is the band...
In January, the group announced their upcoming album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, sharing “Tropic Morning News” as the project’s lead single. The following month, they released “New Order T-Shirt,” the second pre-release track from their ninth studio album set for release on April 28.
The album is the band...
- 3/4/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
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The National released their new track “New Order T-Shirt” on Thursday. The song is the second pre-release track from their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, set for release on April 28.
“New Order T-Shirt” is a nostalgic, lovelorn story led by singer Matt Berninger. “I keep what I can of you/
Split-second glimpses and snapshots and sounds/ You in my New Order t-shirt,” Berninger sings. “I...
The National released their new track “New Order T-Shirt” on Thursday. The song is the second pre-release track from their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, set for release on April 28.
“New Order T-Shirt” is a nostalgic, lovelorn story led by singer Matt Berninger. “I keep what I can of you/
Split-second glimpses and snapshots and sounds/ You in my New Order t-shirt,” Berninger sings. “I...
- 2/23/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Long Pond Studios, the upstate New York location where Aaron Dessner has churned out record after record for both himself and his collaborators, is the musical gift that keeps on giving. Its latest creative output is the National’s newly-announced ninth studio album First Two Pages of Frankenstein, set for release on April 28.
Led by frontman Matt Berninger — with Dessner on guitar, piano, and bass, and his brother Bryce Dessner on both guitarist and pianist, Bryan Devendorf on drums, and Scott Devendorf also on bass and guitar — the record will...
Led by frontman Matt Berninger — with Dessner on guitar, piano, and bass, and his brother Bryce Dessner on both guitarist and pianist, Bryan Devendorf on drums, and Scott Devendorf also on bass and guitar — the record will...
- 1/18/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
Lnzndrf, the band featuring Scott and Bryan Devendorf of the National, Benjamin Lanz of the National and Beirut, and Aaron Arntz of Grizzly Bear and Beirut, have released a video for “You Still Rip.” The track appears on their new LP, II, out Friday, January 29th.
“You Still Rip” is a deft bit of post-punk that feels hypnotic and dreamy without sacrificing a cutting edge. It arrives with a video, directed by Lanz, which pairs the song with a mesmerizing collage packed primarily with warm, grainy footage of the hard rock heroes of yesterday.
“You Still Rip” is a deft bit of post-punk that feels hypnotic and dreamy without sacrificing a cutting edge. It arrives with a video, directed by Lanz, which pairs the song with a mesmerizing collage packed primarily with warm, grainy footage of the hard rock heroes of yesterday.
- 1/29/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, who collaborate under the name Big Red Machine, covered Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up” as part of the Eaux Claires Festival voting initiative “For Wisconsin.”
Dessner fronts the studio take, full of electronic drums, brass, harmonies, layered guitars and Vernon’s prominent backing vocals. “It’s not what you thought when you first began it,” he sings. “You got what you want; now you can hardly stand it, though.”
The track also features guest contributors Mina Tindle, Jon Low,...
Dessner fronts the studio take, full of electronic drums, brass, harmonies, layered guitars and Vernon’s prominent backing vocals. “It’s not what you thought when you first began it,” he sings. “You got what you want; now you can hardly stand it, though.”
The track also features guest contributors Mina Tindle, Jon Low,...
- 11/3/2020
- by Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
Moments after Taylor Swift announced her surprise new album Folklore, the National’s Aaron Dessner — one of her main collaborators on the LP — released a statement on Twitter about the genesis of the project and his contribution.
“I was excited and honored when Taylor approached me in late April about maybe writing some songs remotely together,” Dessner wrote. “I had been isolating with my family but writing a ton of music in the first months of quarantine, which I shared. I thought it would take a while for song ideas...
“I was excited and honored when Taylor approached me in late April about maybe writing some songs remotely together,” Dessner wrote. “I had been isolating with my family but writing a ton of music in the first months of quarantine, which I shared. I thought it would take a while for song ideas...
- 7/23/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon and the National‘s Aaron Dessner will release their debut collaborative LP, Big Red Machine, on August 31st via Jagjaguwar (on vinyl, CD and cassette), all streaming services and their recently launched digital platform, People.
The 10-track album includes four new songs – “Forest Green,” “Lyla,” “Gratitude” and “Hymnostic” – currently streaming at the People site. Guest performers include the National drummer Bryan Devendorf, Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, violinist/string arranger Rob Moose and Sufjan Stevens collaborator James McAlister.
Vernon and Dessner first started collaborating a decade ago,...
The 10-track album includes four new songs – “Forest Green,” “Lyla,” “Gratitude” and “Hymnostic” – currently streaming at the People site. Guest performers include the National drummer Bryan Devendorf, Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, violinist/string arranger Rob Moose and Sufjan Stevens collaborator James McAlister.
Vernon and Dessner first started collaborating a decade ago,...
- 7/12/2018
- by Ryan Reed
- Rollingstone.com
Director: Tom Berninger; Starring: Tom Berninger, Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Bryan Devendorf, Scott Devendorf; Running time: 75 mins; Certificate: 15
The National, if you're not already aware, are a commercially and critically successful indie rock band with Grammy nominations, headline arena tours and a President Obama endorsement to show for it. But according to Tom Berninger, the metalhead loafer younger brother of lead singer Matt, they're just not his thing - they don't party, they don't do drugs and their "pleasant" music is a little too Starbucks for Cbgb.
That Tom is behind a movie about the band instead of say, Arcade Fire's hangabout Spike Jonze or any other big-time Hollywood director, can't help but sound strange. But Mistaken for Strangers is something else. What starts as a small rock doc of The National inadvertently turns into an incredibly funny, sad, weird story about the Berninger brothers' sort-of-estranged relationship...
The National, if you're not already aware, are a commercially and critically successful indie rock band with Grammy nominations, headline arena tours and a President Obama endorsement to show for it. But according to Tom Berninger, the metalhead loafer younger brother of lead singer Matt, they're just not his thing - they don't party, they don't do drugs and their "pleasant" music is a little too Starbucks for Cbgb.
That Tom is behind a movie about the band instead of say, Arcade Fire's hangabout Spike Jonze or any other big-time Hollywood director, can't help but sound strange. But Mistaken for Strangers is something else. What starts as a small rock doc of The National inadvertently turns into an incredibly funny, sad, weird story about the Berninger brothers' sort-of-estranged relationship...
- 6/6/2014
- Digital Spy
The National will release a "huge bonus version" of their upcoming documentary Mistaken for Strangers.
The band's frontman Matt Berninger and his brother Tom, who shot the film, told Digital Spy that an extended version will come bundled with the movie's DVD.
The National: Matt, Tom Berninger on their rock doc Mistaken for Strangers
"There is some extra footage out there. Some of it's so bad, though!" Tom said, to which Matt joked: "That's what's good about it."
Tom continued: "Hopefully [it'll be on the DVD]. Hopefully we can get it all in one place eventually."
Matt added: "There's gonna be a huge bonus version of it. The plan is well under way and Tom is working on it right now. There's no hope - it's definitely happening."
Of the funny scene where The National's drummer Bryan Devendorf is filmed naked in the shower, Tom joked: "I have the rest of the guys in their...
The band's frontman Matt Berninger and his brother Tom, who shot the film, told Digital Spy that an extended version will come bundled with the movie's DVD.
The National: Matt, Tom Berninger on their rock doc Mistaken for Strangers
"There is some extra footage out there. Some of it's so bad, though!" Tom said, to which Matt joked: "That's what's good about it."
Tom continued: "Hopefully [it'll be on the DVD]. Hopefully we can get it all in one place eventually."
Matt added: "There's gonna be a huge bonus version of it. The plan is well under way and Tom is working on it right now. There's no hope - it's definitely happening."
Of the funny scene where The National's drummer Bryan Devendorf is filmed naked in the shower, Tom joked: "I have the rest of the guys in their...
- 6/5/2014
- Digital Spy
There comes a time in every band's life when the music video merely isn't enough of an art form. Some put out live DVDs; some concert films; some even musicals. The National - Brooklyn's indie darlings who seem to get bigger and better with every album - didn't get to decide.
See, Tom Berninger is the 34-year-old younger brother of lead singer Matt. Tom is a loveable slacker who still lives with their parents in Cincinnati. Matt, possibly feeling a little sorry for Tom, invited him on tour with the band to work as a roadie. What Matt didn't realise, however, was that Tom was taking his camera along for the ride.
But what started as a rock doc of The National accidentally turned into Mistaken for Strangers - a brilliantly funny, sad, weird film about two brothers who've been given conflicting lemons in life and the literal tears and tantrums that come with.
See, Tom Berninger is the 34-year-old younger brother of lead singer Matt. Tom is a loveable slacker who still lives with their parents in Cincinnati. Matt, possibly feeling a little sorry for Tom, invited him on tour with the band to work as a roadie. What Matt didn't realise, however, was that Tom was taking his camera along for the ride.
But what started as a rock doc of The National accidentally turned into Mistaken for Strangers - a brilliantly funny, sad, weird film about two brothers who've been given conflicting lemons in life and the literal tears and tantrums that come with.
- 6/5/2014
- Digital Spy
Los Angeles - The new film "Mistaken for Strangers" featuring The National certainly has a lot of the band in it. But it's not about The National. It's much more about singer Matt Berninger and his brother Tom, and the measure of success, particularly among siblings. The National is made up of Berninger plus two pairs of brothers, with Bryce and Aaron Dessner, and Scott and Bryan Devendorf. When Matt invited his brother Tom to become a roadie on The National's frequently sold-out world tour a couple years ago, "I wanted him to bring his camera to maybe make some videos or stuff for our website. He didn't even know he was gonna be making a feature film at that point," Matt told me in our HitFix interview. No, "Mistaken for Strangers" did not turn out to be "a slick, cool profile" but a summary of Tom's struggle with feeling...
- 3/28/2014
- Hitfix
1. Lead singer Matt Berninger has a brother.
As anyone who's been following the Brooklyn-by-way-of-the Buckeye-State band (or who read their extensive New York Times Magazine profile back in 2010), the National is made up of five members, with two sets of brothers: guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner, along with drummer Bryan Devendorf and bassist Scott Devendorf. Singer, songwriter and resident supermoody dude Matt Berninger is the group's odd man out, musical sibling-wise. But he, too, has a brother: Tom Berninger, a sort of amiable, slightly doughier version of Matt that's nine...
As anyone who's been following the Brooklyn-by-way-of-the Buckeye-State band (or who read their extensive New York Times Magazine profile back in 2010), the National is made up of five members, with two sets of brothers: guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner, along with drummer Bryan Devendorf and bassist Scott Devendorf. Singer, songwriter and resident supermoody dude Matt Berninger is the group's odd man out, musical sibling-wise. But he, too, has a brother: Tom Berninger, a sort of amiable, slightly doughier version of Matt that's nine...
- 3/27/2014
- Rollingstone.com
Fame and family are two elements that don't always mix well. Relationships that were already fragile could break apart under the heat of the spotlight, or egos and ambition could fundamentally alter how everyone relates. And those themes come into play in the documentary "Mistaken For Strangers," a behind-the-scenes look at touring with indie faves The National. While the band is already made up of two sets of brothers—Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Scott and Bryan Devendorf—it's frontman Matt Berninger who stands alone. But that all changed when The National hit the road in support of High Violet, asking his younger, aspiring filmmaker brother Tom Berninger to come along as an assistant to the tour manager. Tom used the opportunity to bring his cameras along as well to document the trip, but as you'll see in this exclusive clip, he was also tasked with several big responsibilities and...
- 3/26/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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