The National
Laugh Track
4AD
If this spring’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein was a show of soured, still-life rumination done up in subtle shades of silver and charcoal, The National’s surprise release of Laugh Track (recorded immediately following their tour supporting the former LP) is the lonely monster’s book’s end: dogeared and bleaker, but somehow more dynamic with a livelier percussive feel, a sliver of gold, and a wowing dénouement.
Occasionally the fine distinctions of The National’s new tonal palette make for paint-drying enervation, or even a delicateness bordering on the insidious. Yet Laugh Track’s (possibly) harried recording schedule makes for a looser groove and a jammy feel to the proceedings—certainly more so than on Frankenstein—with vocalist-lyricist Matt Berninger providing his usual doses of stately ennui, nervous existentialism, and ruinous relationship tips the likes of which have been on display since 2003’s Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. Save for the winged, string-arranged rush of “Weird Goodbyes” and its grief-memory storyline harmonized by Berninger and guest-friend Justin Vernon, the open-ended melodies of Laugh Track (written, as always, by brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner) take their time building heads of steam here.
Propelled into a bold finale by the Devendorfs—drummer Bryan and bassist Scott—“Space Invader” paces itself like a train on a late schedule with its decreased chill punctuated by its finale of chaotic rhythms. All seven minutes of the raw, silken “Smoke Detector” add up to a Television-worthy finale where Berninger’s doe-eyed lyrics turn odd and abstract. The building-block jam of Laugh Track is also enhanced by vocal turns from guests such as First Two Pages VIP Phoebe Bridgers on the tenderly optimistic title track, and Rosanne Cash on the epic and immensely hummable “Crumble.” If this new album’s color wheel is steeped in Motherwellian blacks, grays, and golds, these two women are its mean reds and pale blues—a true shot of giddiness where something titled “Laugh Track” is concerned.
