Austin City Limits: The National/Band of Horses

This episode was aired on Saturday January 15th, 2011 at PBS. It was directed by Gary Menotti and written by Theresa Chavez, Eric Gutierrez, Rose Portillo and Bill Arhos. This show was produced by Terry Lickona, Dick Peterson, Jeff Peterson, Leslie Nichols, Emily Joyce and Susan Caldwell Halley.

While lead singer Matt Berninger sustains The National with his resonant baritone voice, his bandmates masterfully round out their soul-haunting sound. With their cathartic, raw and reflective new release, High Violet, The National has graduated from being a critics band. Now it belongs to everyone.

Onion AV Club.Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn-based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron guitar, bass, piano and Bryce Dessner guitar, and Scott bass, guitar and Bryan Devendorf drums. Their first full-length releases, including Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, gained critical attention for deftly balancing country, classical and cabaret Alternative Press.2005s Alligator included underground anthem Mr. November, and raised their profile as The National grew into an incendiary live band.

2007s Boxer took the band to new levels and earned them spots on many Top 10 albums of the decade list. Pop Matters wrote This album, like all great albums, somehow transcends all the factors that makes it work, absorbs them in a seamless whole and breaks your heart in the process.

The Nationals newest release, High Violet, reveals even deeper musical and lyrical wonders with each listen. We started out trying to make a light and happy record, but it just didnt happen, said Berninger.

This album is catchier and more fun than our other records, and bleaker in its ideas and themes. Somehow we create our own little world, and it works, even though sometimes it shouldnt, said Aaron Dessner guitar, bass, piano. The process can be difficult, but eventually something beautiful and cohesive will emerge. Making something heartfelt is only concern.

Read more about your free tv guide at Freetvguide