The new National album High Violet (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html) is currently streaming on the New York Times website before its official release on the 11th of May, though it's been leaked already. It's well worth a listen, England in particular stands out. The piece is also an interesting read.

I can remember the very first time I listened to the National properly, it was approaching midnight on the 31st of December 2007 and I played Boxer into the new year in awe. There's something in that, I reckon. I was really looking forward to this release but also afraid that it might be bad. It's not though.

I don't reckon it's quite as good as Alligator or Boxer (though that is my all-time favourite album, so) but it is still probably the best release so far this year. Yeasayer and Hot Chip have released good albums too and I think I like Laura Marling's new record, can't really remember. Gil-Scott Heron's new album is really good. The new Surfer Blood, The Tallest Man on Earth, Two Door Cinema Club, Delphic, Vampire Weekend, Los Campesinos! and Broken Bells all have their moments also. But yeah, check out High Violet, it is very good.

Not sure about how they mixed Terrible Love, nothing like as good as when they debuted it on Jimmy Fallon and I was very disappointed the first time I heard the studio version but it has grown on me. I think the whole album peaks at the very end with England, like I said, and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks. I'll definitely make an effort to see them live again this summer.

Check it out and post what you think or just make an impromptu best-of list for 2010 so far.

This post is a mess ;(