Album Review: Interpol's "Interpol"

For fans of: The Editors, Joy Division, She Wants Revenge

When alternative rock band Interpol released their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, in 2002 they were an instant success. Their sound was unique; it was melancholic and somber, but also had an alternative rock vibe ? a combination that was unmatched by any band at the time.

New York based Interpol suffered a major setback with 2007′s Our Love to Admire, due to a significant change in musical style and direction. Interpol’s self-titled fourth album continues where Our Love To Admire left off. Throughout the album, lead singer Paul Banks’s voice fluctuates from mid to high registers too frequently. His voice is best when he sings at a lower register because it not only sounds more in tune, but resonates with the music better.

“Memory Serves” illustrates how Banks’s voice does this. The lyrics, as usual, revolve around love. Banks croons during “Summer Well,” “I want to stay young / I want to feel up on your life / I’ve missed you / It looks like you’ve summered well.”

Instrumentation blends Interpol’s old style with their new style. During “Lights,” guitarist Daniel Kessler’s signature guitar reverb plays throughout the introduction. However, on other tracks, his reverb is absent and is replaced with a heavier rock sound. Bassist and keyboardist Carlos Dengler shows off his skills, as most Interpol’s songs have strong bass lines and implement noticeable keyboard melodies. Drummer Sam Fogarino plays more upbeat tracks. “Barricade” is an example of Dengler’s and Fogarino’s new style.

Interpol’s style is not the only thing that has changed- Dengler left the band after the completion of Interpol. According to Interpol’s website he left to “follow another path and to pursue new goals.” Dengler will not go on tour with Interpol and has been replaced by David Pajo on bass and by Brandon Curtis on keyboards and back-up vocals.

Many tracks on Interpol album have promising beginnings, but lead to no climax or resolution. The album is evidence that Interpol might be having trouble figuring out what musical style they want to pursue. Interpol’s constant change in style comes off as forced, rather than organically created. Interpol is mediocre at best, and does little to gain new fans, while causing old fans to long for the return of the old Interpol.

Originally published in the Daily Titan on September 21, 2010.