CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR MATTSERPENTINE BERNINGER’S PRISON “These songs really take their time, “The National frontman’s “Serpentine Prison features “Musically, Serpentine Prison is not a they feel very, very finessed and there gorgeous solo debut leans into his the same heady baritone and drastic departure from the National—Ber- is this nice, slow simmering quality to band’s core sound while emphasizing moody lyrics that are cornerstones ninger’s weary voice and introspective them that i think works really well. Just what makes him unique” of the National’s brand. But without songwriting are constants—but it is a bit beautiful, this whole record.” Aaron and Bryce’s complementary “The result is a set of forlorn earthier and more stripped-down than the guitars, Bryan’s anchoring drums and band’s recent efforts.” “Every generation has that self-lacerating ballads that start spare and gather Scott’s reverberating bass, the mellow crooner dude who is urbane, emotional, beauty as they grow.” sound carrying over is decidedly a little bit over the top. The guy who Berninger’s, fine-tuned by longtime takes us to our dark places, whether producer Booker T. Jones.” it’s Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave—my personal favorite was Mark Eitzel from the band American Music Club. I think “The originals that make up Serpentine Matt Berninger has been that for a lot of “The National lead singer Matt Berninger Prison are true to name: labyrinthine millennials and on this record he really is not only one of the best songwriters explorations of the psyche, they oscillate refines that role and reflects on it. He not and live frontmen in music today. he is between pleading and desire, between As might be expected from the dependency and assertion.” only refines it but he kind of critiques it.” one of the most fascinating.” smoky-voiced lyricist for The National, Serpentine Prison features a cast of burnout cases, nomads and spurned lovers set to music that, while not a significant departure from that produced by Berninger’s bandmates (the Dessner “After two decades fronting the “...the alluring album boasts a Nick “...it has a timeless flavor that traverses National, [Berninger has] become one of decades of musical influences and and Devendorf brothers), is more sedate Cave-like swagger; soulful, haunting and nuanced under Jones’ direction. the most beloved singers and lyricists to musicianship; and razor-sharp lyrics.” singer-songwriter flourishes, ending up rise up in the 21st century indie sphere.” somewhere between ‘70s confessional balladry and smoky barroom poetry, “Jones has helped Berninger craft a underlined by gently drifting rhythms and dusty, weathered, and often quite pretty achingly earnest lyricism.” solo endeavor.” “Serpentine Prison is a “The organic, mellow, “After 20 years of success with maze of thought alight in the roots-tinged aesthetic of the National’s The National, he has finally opted to sparks that emanate from the grind self-titled debut or portions of Sad release a solo record, Serpentine Prison. between comfort and discomfort. It’s Songs For Dirty Lovers might give some As expected, it shines a new light on the sweet and thoughtful in its melancholy kind of hint to the patient and acoustic- artist. Although his devastating baritone “there’s little doubt that [the album] (“One More Second”). It’s brooding in its driven sound of Serpentine Prison. Of has guided the group for two decades, captures what Berninger does best in delicate joy (“Distant Axis”). It’s a walk course, 20 more years of experience stripping it down for Serpentine Prison both fresh and familiar ways.” through a garden when you aren’t sure and the influence of Jones make this a provides a different kind of decadence if it’s about to rain. But isn’t rain good different beast entirely. Berninger was that only he—as both a vocalist and for the garden? Hush; listen. It’s a real going for the feel of old-school albums, songwriter—could seamlessly pull off. success.” and he ends up approximating that feel The most satisfying part of Serpentine “Serpentine Prison is a with the weathered soulfulness of Prison is that it’s not a continuation of breathtakingly beautiful album.” Serpentine Prison.” The National’s incredible discography. Berninger has always been a skilled “It’s also nice to hear Matt over these lyricist, but on this project he zeroes in more simple musical backdrops. The on personal relationships with much National’s subtle complexity is one of their more intensity.” biggest draws, but something that’s a little “This really seems like a singer’s more relaxed (instrumentally, at least) record, where the focal point is “Serpentine Prison displays suits Matt’s distinct songwriting too.” [Berninger’s] voice.” infinite promise from an artist who has already given us a catalogue that has made a lasting impact on rock music as we know it.” “It’s a sequestered, rainy Sunday type of album with flawed, world-weary vocal performances that are laid bare by such impressionistic accompaniment.” “Pure and earthy melodies are allowed to simply exist, primarily over acoustic guitar, with the exception of a few more standout moments in other instrumentation. The album is the perfect counterbalance to Berninger’s usual alternative sound. “Serpentine Prison unveils a Overall, this is a beautifully crafted record different side to Matt Berninger in the from top to bottom. Serpentine Prison is hands of Booker T Jones, with less layers an album to get lost in, with each track of instrumentation to hide behind, this presenting pure and simple songwriting collection allows his masterful lyrics and magic. The National fans will certainly song-craft to shine through unfiltered.” be able to sit back and be proud of Berninger’s first ever full-length solo “Matt is of course a major part of The venture. He stayed true to his signature National’s chemical constitution meaning sound and vocal style from The National, that a number of songs here could while still experimenting here and there definitely pass for National material, in ways that shed new light on his craft. but something more intimate emerges What else could one ask of a solo debut?” within the country-fried restraint that the legendary Booker T Jones unfurls at the production helm.” “Stark, weirdly comforting, bruised and beautiful, ‘Serpentine Prison’ is like being given access to Berninger’s “It’s powerful, intimate stuff, and it feels private diary where you’re allowed to view like a man unburdening his soul in a his most intimate thoughts and secrets.” therapy session, which is what all great music is if you delve deeply enough inside. It’s also the sound of serious musicians playing together at their empathic best, brought together by a man, in producer Booker T, who knows exactly how to bring the best out of “Serpentine Prison shows us musicians after more than 60 years of something we already knew: Berninger doing exactly that.” shines when the focus is on him” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KRISTA WILLIAMS OR CARLA SACKS 212.741.1000 AT SACKS & CO., [email protected] OR [email protected]. .