*sigh*

So The National’s latest album, High Violet, is actually out, so I hope posting this mp3 is cool now. And just because maybe some people already listened to this song the first time I posted it, I’m going to add this performance of “Afraid of Everyone” on Letterman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CRPz3kvou0

Edit: Just listen to “Bloodbuzz Ohio”, which is embedded in the comment below.

Lots of albums have leaked recently, but High Violet is really the only one I’ve listened to. And I’ve kinda been listening to this one song from it over and over. I’d go on and review the album or all the songs that comprise it, but I’ve stated numerous times how unqualified I feel to talk about music. It’s definitely a great album and I highly recommend checking it out — when it comes out legally, of course. The National’s previous album Boxer put me to sleep at times, and I guess that’s a weird criticism if I’m posting this song from High Violet, but I just find the latter much more varied and less minimalistic.

Note: If the very beginning of the song is corrupted for you, let me know. I had a weird issue listening to the MP3 directly in Chrome — which, combined with other bugs, has me close to writing a negative post about the Google browser. It worked fine in Firefox.

Note 2: I was emailed by Web Sheriff to take down the song, which I almost thought was a joke at first, and then I found the Wikipedia entry. Damn.

Note 3: The New York Times has the album streaming until April 27th. Go and listen now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GdlsaQH6ao

If it sounds this good on Jimmy Fallon’s stage, the studio version will be pretty damn incredible, especially since Matt Berninger’s voice is much more suited to the studio from what I’ve heard. He really does sound great here, though. High Violet hits on May 11 (if you didn’t catch that) — be sure to check it out.

Muse – New Born (live)
Dredg – Hungover on a Tuesday
The National – Mr. November
Soundgarden – Slaves and Bulldozers
Junius – From the Isle of the Blessed
My Morning Jacket – One Big Holiday (live)
Yeasayer – Sunrise
Arcade Fire – (Antichrist Television Blues)
Neutral Milk Hotel – Two-Headed Boy
King Crimson – Epitaph
Nirvana – Scentless Apprentice (live)
Radiohead – True Love Waits (live)

More softer songs than I expected. I think I’ll keep updating and rotating songs out. Favorite that shit, people.

http://cajolejuice.muxtape.com/

And “The Funeral” is a song that people connect to, as reader emails continue to attest. So long as it doesn’t end up soundtracking some crummy indie movie, it’ll be ours forever.

That’s from their “Top 100 Tracks of 2006.” I meant to write a short post about this the second I heard the song in SKATE, but I (as usual) procrastinated. So let me say it now: OWNED. It wasn’t even an indie film, it was a fucking VIDEO GAME. And now it’s in a Ford Focus commercial too! Band of Horses sold out big time. I wonder if Pitchfork even likes them anymore.

So anyhow, here are my favorite tracks of the 2007:

Hyperpower! – Nine Inch Nails
I thought about adding the second track of Year Zero after this, but I figured Daft Punk could follow it up good enough.

Around the World/Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
I usually hate electronic music. So for me to love this song means it is pure, unadulterated awesome.

United States – Smashing Pumpkins
Unfortunately, this is a live version. And Corgan really can’t sing live…or in the studio for that matter. Maybe I should’ve picked another song off the album. I really love the studio version, though.

Do Me A Favour – Arctic Monkeys
I really love a lot of songs on Favourite Worst Nightmare, and was tempted to pick another song, but I’ve listened to this one by far the most.

Fake Empire – The National
Good, simple song. I like the guy’s deep voice and the mini-crescendo near the end. Yeah.

Reckoner – Radiohead
Amazing. Thom Yorke’s voice is beautiful.

Underdogs – Manic Street Preachers
A band that never really got that popular over here in the U.S, but has some clout in the indie community. Never heard them until this year. Much different from their older stuff, but I really enjoy this song.

Misfit Love – Queens of the Stone Age
I’ve listened to Sick, Sick, Sick more, but I figured I’d choose a non-single.

The Pretender – Foo Fighters
Especially since I picked this over-played single. I’m not a huge Foo Fighters fan, but you know, their singles are always damn solid.

Pioneer to the Falls – Interpol
Great song. I’m not good at describing why I like songs.

Is There a Ghost – Band of Horses
Never used to be a fan of high-pitched singers, but I guess I’ve grown accustomed to a few. I still rather have a better singer, but this song manages to be good with what – 14 words?

Antichrist Television Blues – Arcade Fire
“No Cars Go” is my favorite song on Neon Bible, but it’s a recreation of the song from their debut EP. I love this song because Win Butler (the singer) is doing his best Bruce Springsteen impression. Such a great, great song with damn good lyrics. The Boss is a fan, so you should be too.

I was thinking about putting a Chevelle song on here, but they blatantly ripped off a Tool riff in one of their songs. I spliced together a clip of the offense. Maybe I’ll post it up on Pownce…unfortunately, I have basically no friends on it.

Actually, I started to post all these songs up on Pownce. I stopped once I realized you need to be friends with the person who’s posting the mp3s.