Releases
The National - Virginia EP - Coloured LP In stores Dec. 4th
Originally released in 2008 as the companion CD to their A Skin, A Night DVD, The Virginia EP is available now for the first time on vinyl.
This UK import version is pressed on high quality 180 gram vinyl with a special black & yellow colour splatter and includes an MP3 download coupon.
Featured are b-sides, demos, a session track, live tracks (including “Fake Empire”, which won Song Of The Year at NYC’s 2008 Plug Awards, and a sumptuous cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Mansion On The Hill”), plus one new studio recording, a cover of Caroline Martin’s “Without Permission”. All are from the Boxer era.
The band are currently holed up in their Brooklyn studio working on the followup to High Violet, expected for release in early 2013.
For more information, please www.americanmary.com
“You can hear the moments in these songs when the band absolutely nails it, and those moments make it a compelling companion to the brilliant album these recordings yielded.” – Popmatters
“Lead track “You’ve Done It Again, Virginia,” featuring Sufjan Stevens, rightfully earns highlight status, brooding like their best songs do, but with banjo and subdued horns adding warm textures.” – Exclaim
“As gifts to the fans go, the disc is a welcome if eclectic assortment. A Daytrotter version of “Lucky You” and a subtle, lyrical cover of Springsteen’s “Mansion On The Hill” are flattering samples of the band’s concert sound, while “Blank Slate” and a demo version of “Tall Saint” are welcome additions to the canon. Virginia also includes an epic live take of “About Today”. After the film’s glance at the taxing and expansive process of The National’s album-making, a seemingly tossed-together collection of odds ’n’ sods is actually a refreshingly relaxed experience, with the pressure off for both the listener and, presumably, the band.” – Paste Magazine
“As far as the demos go, they are a fine glimpse into the band’s process, particularly the chorus-less demo for “Slow Show”, which feels more like a pastiche of emotions and ideas than the piercingly straightforward
version on Boxer. Meanwhile,the regal, slow-burn arrangement and restrained chorus of “Tall Saint” stands up to the sturdiest tracks on Boxer.” – Prefix Mag
Selections:
Side A:
You’ve Done It Again Virginia
Santa Clara
. Blank Slate
Tall Saint (Demo)
Without Permission
Forever After Days (Demo)
Rest Of Years (Demo)
Side B
Slow Show (Demo)
Lucky You (Daytrotter Session)
Mansion On The Hill (Live)
Fake Empire (Live)
About Today (Live)
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