You’d be right to be cynical about the hype surrounding most New
York pretty boy bands these days. The majority of them are unjustly
adulated for reviving the garage rock trend, a scene that has been
kept alive by less attractive bands in less hip cities for
years.
Now we have Interpol, a band who digs deeper into mid-80s gloomy
British rock. Most critics are quick to make comparisons to Joy
Division, and while there are some obvious similarities, this
critique can be attributed to the recent release of the film 24
Hour Party People, which deals with Manchester’s Factory Records
and the impact Joy Division had on 1980s England.
Of course, there is the style element, and Interpol has opted
for a more debonair look, all snazzed up in classy suits and
fanciful coiffures. But the music is as good as the image, and one
listen to Turn on the Bright Lights should make that apparent.
Aside from their good fashion sense and New York pedigree,
Interpol has all of the necessary components in place. There are
the jagged, post-punk guitars, the understated, melodic bass lines
and Paul Banks’ manic monotone, all combined to create the ethereal
gloom that haunts this record.
The mood is set by the echo-laden opener “Untitled,” with Sam
Fogarino’s military drumming omnipresent behind the twin-guitar
shimmer that highlights most of these tracks. It’s often difficult
to decipher Banks’ vocals, but it’s a safe bet that they are mostly
introspective, disillusioned and a little sinister.
The punchy “PDA” shows off some primal beats and chug-a-lug
guitar riffs, not unlike Interpol’s NYC counterparts but
considerably smarter and more substantial. The following cut “Say
Hello to the Angels” puts the bouncy basslines upfront and adds
some breakneck-speed vocals.
It should go without saying that no band is an uncaused cause,
that most influences are right below the surface if you dig past
the press releases. Hints of the aforementioned Joy Division, New
Order, Echo & the Bunnymen and Doves can all be found somewhere
on Turn on the Bright Lights, but the amalgamation is something
special.
Put away those sunny summer tunes and put on your black
turtleneck. The nights are getting longer, fall is upon us, and
Interpol will provide the soundtrack to usher in the autumn.
