The National – The Virginia EP Review
The National’s Virginia EP was released on May 20th and the reason I took so long is that I simply forgot to pick it up. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Boxer but it did make my top 20 list, like on most magazines. I will admit that my knowledge of The National’s previous work is, limited. Other then a few tracks off Alligator and a Liberation CD, which was a bunch of raw demos, I have no experience with The National other then the slow grower Boxer.
One review of the Virginia EP was Pitchfork “awarding” it a 4.3, it’s a bit misleading though as there are a lot of positives given in the review. I really don’t bother with low scores, though sometimes it’s rather painfully obvious when album deserves to be panned. I didn’t think this EP was so bad to be honest.
The EP title for this disc is also misleading; it’s the length of a full release including 3 live tracks, some tracks used before as B-sides but still some new stuff as well. There are also two covers, one of Caroline Martin’s Without Permission and Bruce Springsteen’s Mansion On The Hill. I haven’t heard of either so it’s a little strange hearing the cover version before the original. Both songs are great with the latter, being a live version. I actually found myself unsatisfied with the live version of Fake Empire. It has a grandiose type ending but the performance itself with the crowd reaction seemed to lack the emotion of the song. The other two live tracks were much more lively though.
As for the reusing of songs from previous B-sides, I’m not all that mad at that, if you’re paying EP price for this disc, 12 tracks each of which are over 3 minutes long, it’s probably worth your money as a National fan.
The only real problem with this EP is that it’s not amazing, great or whatever other hyperboles you could come up with. It’s plainly average all the way around, not specifically standing out lyrically or musically. It’s not fair in this case to compare to Boxer or Alligator as they plainly state that the Virginia EP is meant to be full of b-sides.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
I’d say this EP is great for hardcore fans of the National, for those few tracks that they don’t already have and the 3 live tracks of course. Rest of Years is still my favorite track off the EP as it was my favorite demo track previously. If you aren’t a National fan, but you are still interested, I strongly recommend last year’s Boxer.
Mp3s for your pleasure:
Rest Of Years by The National
Without Permission by The National
Tags: EP
