Like the Music’s recent sophomore album, Interpol’s second album finds a band that have focused their sound and developed sufficiently to be utterly comfortable in their own skins. Like The Music, Interpol also lean heavily on the past yet could not be from any other time then right now. Joy Division still loom large but there’s also aspects of late eighties alternative bands such as Killing Joke and even that most derided of genres goth. Ultimately though Interpol bring something unique to the brew. Their arty stance sit’s comfortably with the likes of Franz Ferdinand and their first single off of this album was backed with a dance remix. Not exactly the Mission then.
‘Antics’ doesn’t disappoint. Their sound has developed and become more muscular, they are less likely to lean on studio atmospherics but rather let their music stand up on it’s own. Paul Banks vocals remain dramatic and individual and lyrically they are unashamedly clever. This combination of dark sound, intellectual vigour and arty stance will guarantee it’s place in student halls of residence for years to come.
That’s not to say it doesn’t translate for the rest of us. It is rare that what on first listen sounds so introspective after repeat listening becomes almost life affirming. First single ‘Slow Hands’ is a case in point, clever it may be but it’s also got it’s eye on the dancefloor. The driving bass line and abrasive guitar give a little nod to post punk before the anthemic chorus that urge you to throw shapes not seen since a Sisters of Mercy concert in 1983. ‘Can’t you see what you’ve done to my heart and soul’ begs Banks. Can’t you see what you’re doing to our preconceptions ask the rest of us. Aren’t you lot meant to be studying your navels in a Berlin bedsit of something?
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Elsewhere ‘Not Even Jail’ creeps up on you, at first stark and gentle it builds up to a dramatic chorus pushing Banks vocals right up front whilst musically it pounds away behind him. Or severe grower and album highlight‘Evil’, a mini epic that flits from subdued and introspective until this time it builds and Banks barks at us. Lyrically you might expect this album to dwell on the darker side of life but in fact it’s rather personal and although not exactly cheerful it’s not unremittingly dark.
Then there’s ‘Narc’ with it’s stabbing guitar line before diving head first into the chorus. ‘She found the lonely sound’ they summarise and you can only agree. ‘Length of Love’ feeds off of thumping drums and a melancholy sound that is somehow comforting and unnerving all at the same time.
This is an album that makes you think, that seems to be appropriate for these troubled times. Although personal in subject matter they seem to tap into that underlying disturbing feeling that alls not right with the world. A jittery feeling that we try and suppress but occasionally bubbles to the surface. There is no doubt in my mind that Interpol have produced a classic album that will stand up for years to come. Embrace your dark side.
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