Music Review: The National bring a burst of energy to their brooding music on live album, 'Rome'

The National brings an abundance of energy for a brooding, middle-aged indie rock band, as evidenced on their new live album, “Rome.” Music Review: The National bring a burst of energy to their brooding music on live album, 'Rome' The 21-track, two-LP album — recorded in concert at the Parco della Musica auditorium in Italy's capital in June — is a fan-friendly sing-along that strings together some of the best sounds of their 25-year career. The opener, “Runaway,” is one of a handful of deeper cuts, this one from the lyrically dreary yet melodically uplifting 2010 album “High Violet." The drumming brilliance of Bryan Devendorf shines throughout another “High Violet” cut, “Bloodbuzz Ohio” and spreads into “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” the heart of their 2017 album, “Sleep Well Beast.” The self-described “sad dads,” a self-deprecating nickname that shows up on some of their own merchandise, are rocking as hard as ever on this record. “First Two Pages of Frankenstein,” one of two albums released last year in what became a revitalization for Berninger and his bandmates, has a significant presence on “Rome.” An example: The angst in “Eucalyptus” over the impending breakup of a close relationship is palpable, but the genius of Berninger's lyrics performed live lies in a mood-lightening list of household items — from bottled water to a ceiling fan.