The National - conversation sixteen, 2010

"Crafted from humming guitars, tinkling pianos, militaristic drumming and occasional orchestration, their fifth album is beautifully subtle and grows in power with each listen. There's nothing so obvious as a rocker, but a selection of understated, troubled anthems hinge on Matt Berninger's mournful baritone and wonderfully diverse lyrics. Covering issues from modern neuroses to medication to warfare, his words can be self-explanatory – "Sorrow got me when I was young ... put me on the pill" – or beguiling, like Bloodbuzz Ohio's "carried to Ohio on a swarm of bees". Their trump card is a brooding grandeur, which make the likes of grandeur Afraid of Everyone and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks some of the most exquisitely heartrending songs you'll hear all year."