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Yup, that’s the cover to High Violet up there.

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The National have just revealed a new website for their upcoming album. The band’s fourth fifth studio album will be entitled High Violet and is due out May 11th.

May is certainly shaping up nicely.

HighViolet.com

(via We All Want Someone To Shout For)

Indie band The National have announced the forthcoming release of their fifth LP. It will be the band’s first release with the British indie label 4AD. Besides the news that the LP is due sometime in May, not much information has been given.

In the meantime, you can catch The Brothers Dessner on tour throughout North America, starting with an appearance at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Bryce Dessner is playing co-curator.

The National:

03-26-28 Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre (Big Ears Festival)
04-22 Richmond, VA – The National
04-23 Richmond, VA – The National
05-06 London, England – Royal Albert Hall
05-07 Paris, France – Le Zenith *
05-09 Berlin, Germany – Astra
05-22 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern #
05-23 San Diego, CA – Spreckels Theatre #
05-27 Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre #
06-02 Boston, MA – House of Blues
06-05 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
06-06 Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall
06-08 Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall
06-16 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

* with Pavement
# with Ramona Falls

(Via Pitchfork)

Various Artists

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy

[Shout! Factory; 2009]

Links: Mark Mulcahy | Shout! Factory | Purchase on Amazon

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Below are MP3s of both the new track “Blood Buzz Ohio” and the previous track “The Runaway”. Yesterday’s “The Runaway” mp3 I posted wasn’t working properly so I hope this makes up for it. I also forgot to mention that “The Runaway” is the new title of the song known as “Karamazov” [Thanks to Livio for the tip!].

MP3: The National – “Blood Buzz Ohio” (Live In Boston)
MP3: The National – “The Runaway” (Live In Boston)
MP3: The National – “The Runaway” (Live on Q TV)

The National’s tour is ongoing. Check dates at MySpace.

(via Stereogum / Bloody Pop / Sixeyes)

Here it is, a third new National track tentatively titled “The Runaway”. The band performed the song at Q TV studios in Canada. The follow-up to 2007’s Boxer is tentatively scheduled for release in 2010.

You can hear the other two new tracks that The National have played live, entitled “Karamazov” and “Wake Up Your Saints”, here.

The National debuted two new tracks at Carnegie Hall in NYC last week. Fortunately, someone was able to record the two new songs and post them online. The tracks are titled “Karamazov” and “Wake Up Your Saints”, both are quite wonderful, especially “Karamazov”.

MP3: The National – Karamazov (Live)

MP3: The National – Wake Up Your Saints (Live)

This is the first new The National we’ve heard for their new album which isn’t expected until 2010. The band is releasing a track on the upcoming 4AD compilation, Dark Was The Night (due out February 16th), titled “So Far Around The Bend”. In addition, Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the band are producing the charity album.

-Evan Kaloudis