The National’s performance of “Fake Empire” with Doveman on David Letterman a few years ago was one of those rare instances where Late Night television actually made me feel something. Now, a couple of days after Matt showed off his dance skills for the “Bloodbuzz Ohio” video, the band brought Sufjan Stevens along with them for a rousing take on High Violet‘s “Afraid Of Everyone.” Sure, when I interviewed Stevens a few months ago we both made fun of Late Night (“I don’t understand why bands do that. It seems really tacky to me … Those shows are just promoting insipid comedies. Who watches those shows?”), but there are always exceptions, and if you’re going to take the plunge, standing up there with the National and adding to a moment like this makes good sense. Dave’s really into it, too — ends up running out of adjectives besides “beautiful,” quizzes Padma, etc.
Since you’ve already memorized High Violet, have a listen to an iTunes bonus track called “Walk Off” over at We All Want Someone To Shout For.
High Violet is out via 4AD.
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This was just absolutely beautiful. I also think Sufjan should tour with the National after seeing this.
“standing up their with the National”
come on brandon!
you got me. i am a horrible person. fixed.
since we’re correcting things- “you’ve already memorized High Violent”
Is that the reprise album where they replace all snare hits with gunshot samples?
yes
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Is it just me or is Sufjan Stevens extremely under-utilized in this song? I feel like when you get someone of his status and talent that its almost a waste to have him just standing there singing the same vocal harmony over and over again. This song is amazing, but i just feel like Sufjan barely contributes to the song.
I think Sufjan’s contribution to this song is much bigger than we can really tell. The song is excellent on it’s own, but it is elevated to something worthy of performing live on Late Night TV because of the tension those haunting background vocals provide.
I’ve said this elsewhere, but Boxer was The National’s broken home, where everything was falling down around the narator and he was desperately trying to hold it together. I see High Violet as their haunted house. These songs, and the fears contained in them are less present and more like nightmares of things that happened in the past. I see a man overcome, less with the fear of failing, and more chased down by the weight of past failures.
I don’t know how much of this theme of the album Sufjan was able to pick up on prior to his contributions, but these ghostly wind in the trees background vocals are the key to that theme. They take it from being just an idea in the lyrics and making it into something tangible. Less about hearing about a man in fear, and more about actually experiencing the fear with him. It’s gloriously executed.
I it would be great to have Sufjan contribute more, but that may have instead distracted from the song, and made the point of the song into a Sufjan showcase. What we ended up with is a song where every contributes to the final work of art, and really Sufjan layed the subtle framework for the foundation.
i might be wrong, but i think the guys came up with that part during a random session and were like “badass, let’s keep that” rather than contemplating ghostly wind noises and haunted houses.
i can see your point, but i don’t think the intention was to have sufjan as a prominent guest spot. just a guy who can provide additional vocals. plus he apparently helped with the arrangement for this track, so he did do a little more.
Amazing.
Also, I assume I speak for most when I say that hopefully this isn’t the closest thing we get to an official Sufjan record ever again. His voice, while minimal, is just so…haunting.
“The National Everybody! with special guest Lennon On Drums!!!!”
Bryan Devendorf is bigger than John Lennon.
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lol, your hella confused
awwwww Yeeeeeeeeeeee, this is awesome.
Web Sherrif got to that “Walk Off” stream, if you’d like to update post/link.
hear @ HypeM thanks to their archiving magic. anyone hosting yet?
N.B. new iteration of “Black Cities” or “Believe Me,” the first new (non-demo) post-Boxer track — which S’gum posted upon its debut in Aug. ’08! http://stereogum.com/14451/new_live_national_a_thousand_black_cities/video/
I miss Sufjan, will he stop being selfish by keeping that voice to himself? I love the BQE, but I loved his albums more. This was tease…