Attention to detail helps National's CD

As melodists, songwriters Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner of The National aren't exactly Cole Porter. The tune to the first verse of "Terrible Love," the opening cut on the new album "High Violet," goes like this, note-wise: AAAAAAAAAAAAG. Skip ahead a few tunes, and the first verse of "Bloodbuzz Ohio" goes: AAAFEAAAAEAAAA.

Dirgy drones? Sometimes. "High Violet" is the fifth album by the quintet from Cincinnati, and the band sticks with the minimalist formula that helped attract an ardent following. Lead singer Berninger has a limited range but a commanding baritone, and the National dress up the arrangements in subtle ways that makes them captivating, with guitar interplay, wordless harmony vocals, occasional orchestral support and drums that do more than merely keep time. While the melodies are simple, the songs benefit from a slavish attention to detail.

Berninger sings of sorrow, fear, mistrust, regret, emotional isolation, black dreams and even evil -- topics well suited for his dour delivery. He magnifies the melancholy mood by repeating verses in chant-like fashion, but this is still stirring stuff, like the dirges in an Episcopal hymnal.

CHECK THIS OUT: The main character of "Lemonworld" is an Army vet who laments a life out of control. Even the album's catchiest tune and lively percussion can't lift his spirits.