Interpol - Our Love To Admire (Album)
I have a friend who thinks every bit of music he hears sounds like Interpol. And thinking about it now, it might be because so many bands have begun emulating their sound. Whether or not you are a fan, you can't deny the fact that these indie rockers are consistent. Ever since their debut LP, Turn On The Bright Lights, the band has gone from strength to strength, snow-balling into one of the most critically respected and commercially successful acts to come out of New York in the last decade. And it would seem things will only continue to grow with the release of the superb Our Love To Admire.
The album opens with the melancholic and progressive 'Pioneer To The Falls'. The track is moody, thriving and sombre, layered with such an array of textures that the effect is immediate. This is music to be moved by. The following 'No I In Threesome' is somewhat more upbeat, in the sense that it has more major chord changes. But again, beneath the surface is a sadness that is both infectious and beautiful.
'The Heinrich Maneuver' (sic) takes a rocking approach. Relying less on textures and atmospheric sounds, it is classic guitar-driven Interpol. The guitar tones themselves are brooding and thick with reverb. Never one to complicate things, vocalist Paul Banks keeps the chorus simple, with the repeating line, "Today my heart swings" making up more than most of the lyrical content.
'Pace Is The Trick' is like an anthem for the young and loveless. If it wasn't for its almost five minute track length, I would have thought it could have been the perfect first single. No doubt a radio edit will surface, if one hasn't already. The chorus, like every classic Interpol track, is delivered with simplicity and honesty. 'Ctrl+C and V for Rest My Chemistry'.
The closing track, 'The Lighthouse' reminds me of fellow New Yorkers, The Walkmen, with its reverbed surf guitars and lo-fi vocals. It turns the light out on the album with a slow gentle fade, despite a late introduction of drums and bass. While the song provides a mellower counterpoint to the rest of the album, it seems a little long-winded at five minutes.
All in all, Our Love To Admire is a brilliant record. While it may not have moved the Interpol sound on much from the much-loved Antics album, it still manages to sound fresh. The arrangements are thoughtful, the production rich, and the most importantly, the melodies are beautiful. Sadly, despite Europe and America being treated to shows, any Australian tour dates are unlikely to announced this year. On the upside, that leaves plenty of time to get intimate with this album. Check it out.
Tom Whitty
