When lead singers untangle themselves from band commitments and record their own album, quite often it’s a case of palate-cleansing experimentation. Matt Berninger’s first solo record away from his role as frontman of alt-indie favourites The National, however, would sit snugly within the band’s discography — particularly a few years back, when the group were more focused on organic instrumentation rather than studio embellishment.
That similarity is not necessarily a bad thing. Serpentine Prison will hug fans of the band like a well-worn jumper, warmed by much of what makes the band so great. Berninger’s cavernous baritone is the ideal partner for his glum, half-drunken poetry, and many of the tracks, produced by Booker T Jones, build with a restrained elegance.
There are some sparkling moments, like the twinkly crashes of Distant Axis, or the folksy Oh Dearie, which has some sumptuous textures in the later choruses — Berninger’s low rumble sanded down by a smooth backing vocal. But the album can be a bit of a dawdler.
This album won’t outshine The National, but it’s a worthy stopgap until they release something new.
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