"Bloodbuzz Ohio" from The National's latest release, High Violet.
Last Thursday The National played The Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park on a perfectly beautiful, clear, late summer evening. The crowd was entirely focused on the band, whose intense style subdued us all into an unusual hush. My friends and I marveled at how quiet it felt in the park, surrounded by all the ancient trees ...
Standing in front of a stage holding a camera with a few thousand people behind you? Never. Gets. Old.
They had a very Echo and the Bunnymen or The Cure vibe about them, and the lead singer definitely knows how to finesse his baritone. It was pretty sexy and filled the atmosphere with a lovelorn air. I am pretty sure a fair chunk of those in attendance include at least one track from The National on their respective "Music to Make Out To" playlists. At times I was reminded of "I Will Follow"-era U2, minus the guy with the white flag and with more primal man-screaming. Horns and a violin rounded out their sound nicely.
It was all going according to plan until the guitarist ... brought out a bow. Yowza.
The Scissor Sisters are playing the Malkin Bowl tonight.
