Interpol - Interpol

Viewer Rating:Teaspoon has rated Interpol - Interpol rating: 3 Star

Ever since 'Antics' didn't quite live up to expectations, and then the even bigger kick in the family jewels with 'Our Love to Admire', Interpol have become the fat kid with glasses at a school full of critical bullies. Interpol the album, however, is intriguingly different. When I first heard the album's starter, 'Success', my eyes and ears lit up like beacons. Upon my first listen it did indeed seem that Interpol had realised their mistakes and had bounced back with a 10-track wonder with the ambition of OLTA and the beauty of TOTBL. The dwindling guitar and... urr... 'unique' dancing from Daniel Kessler (in the video for 'Barricade') have made a very welcome return. Not to mention Paul Banks' distinctive vocals, now sharper and more mature, are a delight to one's eardrums. So have Interpol really revitalised their roots? The short answer... is disappointingly 'no'. Upon further listens (which have been many, I assure you, as I am a die-hard Interpol fan) the whole band seem to have lost their momentum. Perhaps it was the departure of much loved bassist Carlos D, or the cancellation of their spot in U2's tour that left them a little... shaken? What, at first, seems like a smug symphonical sneer from Banks in 'Success' turns out to be more of a mourning of his rather foiled past - like he is childishly laughing at his failure than taking pride in his musical success. The sad truth is that even though the album is home to many amazing Interpol songs, (such as 'Always Malaise [The Man I Am]' and 'Summer Well') none of them are striking enough to grant them mainstream attention. With Carlos D's leaving, Sam Fogarino's own endeavours (as well as Banks' with his alter-ego 'Julian Plenti') and of the whole band averaging 37 years of age, it seems that Interpol have said their goodbyes via a weak, yet refreshingly powerful, 4th album. As an Interpol fan, I wish the band the best of luck in whatever direction they choose to go in next.

Review published on the 21 October 2010 19:17