Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights (2002)

Genres: post-punk, post punk revival, indie rock

Similar artists: Editors, She Wants Revenge, Joy Division

A fantastic album from one of my personal favourite bands.

Ihe new-york based indie band's career defining debut album accomplishes alot for being... well-- a debut. I've heard alot in my relatively short days, and from all that, I can tell you debuts usually suck arse. REALLY BAD. But this is a is an example of how to enter with a bang.

The first track of the album, Untitled, was made with the intent of being a way to set the mood for any gigs they played, which it does without a sweat. It's also a fantastic way of getting you ready for listening to the rest of the album, setting the signature melancholy mood that you should expect from any Interpol track.

Untitled was featured in an episode of hit tv show Friends, which the band has later stated as one of their best career choices. I can imagine they would've gotten a huge surge in popularity from that because I think it was a very important episode to the story.

The band originally comprised of singer and guitarist Paul Banks, guitarist Dan Kessler, bassist Carlos Dengler, and drummer Greg Drudy before before Drudy left in 2000 and Sam Fogarino took up his role. Dengler left in 2010 and Banks took up the role of studio bassist with touring member Brad Truax filling in for live performances. The band never featured any primary songwriters which I think is a reason why all instruments blend really well with eachother. That being said though, Dengler was the main composer of all the bass sections which is why earlier basslines where more rhythmic and moody and later became engergetic and bouncy on tracks off of El Pintor. Banks' style of heavy baritone crooning was formed by the fact that they didn't have a professional setup while recording early demos and he had to basically yell to be heard over the the drums.

The rest of the album features lyrics and themes that can only be described as horny and depressed having a baby. except for Roland which is quite literally "OH SH*TE, HE HAS A KNIFE". lyrics on songs like Say Hello to the Angels and Stella was a diver and she was always down are filled with sexual undertones and themes of depression. The album also refences drug use and all-round sleaze.

It tends to focus more on instrumentals than lyrics though, with some songs having minutes long instrumental interludes.

Ok so you've listened to me yap enough. Here's my overall review of this album...
(4 out of 5)

Key points:

• Solid consistency. Album dosen't go jumping all over the place.
• Perfect for setting a laid back mood.
• Unique sound. I've not seen much bands try this sound or try and actually become somewhat mainstream.
• Very good production quality for a debut album
• Blends smart instrumentation with melancholic crooning and shoegazey elements.

Stream on spotify

Slow down bucko

Nothing to see here yet, come back later for more reviews.
:27/11/2024