Interpol FAILS to deliver on New Album (Review)

[RedPyramid1000]

They should just leave Interpol as it is, Paul banks should stick with Julian Plenti... And just add daniel to julian plenti.

[fpinyol]

great review...i believe you should listen more to this complex album, but anyway you nailed several album weakness ...let's wait for their #5 release

[rospiltore]

He is right, the quality of the records has been in continuous decline since TOTBL - fact. Slow but constant decline.

[roger201288]

If you were looking for a techno band in the first place, then why do you not like their self titled album, it sounds techny in a way =o

[SuperNoobTroll]

and this comes as a surprise?

[garlomero]

Comparto con que el disco es un poco aburrido y que sus antescesores han sido mucho mejores. El disco no tiene grandes momentos (a mi gusto) y se nota q el sonido que siempre me atrajo de la banda, está poco explotado. Se nota que los chicos estaban tristes cuando hicieron este disco, no solo por el sonido, comparto tambien con este flaco que la tapa es bastante referente al estado de animo de los musicos.

Le digo al amigo que el video es un poco largo

[ccfc91]

to me self titled is their most complete album, they've come on so much but thats just my opinion so i'm not going to have a go at you as you have as much right as me to say whats good and bad! thanks for taking the time out to do the review! I think lights and Try it on and the undoing are among the best from Interpol

[pipy05]

I like Antics the best. Then Our Love To Admire. Then Turn On The Bright Lights...I haven't even heard the new album yet. But I will say that Interpol grows on you. Most of the time you need to listen to the album a few times before you get how amazing the music is. I'm getting the album this weekend and ill decide if I like it. Nice review.

[stabbakop]

i honestly don't think carlos recorded bass on this record. i think daniel did. i think maybe carlos came up with a few ideas early on then left the band before the album was ever recorded. the musicianship from this record just isn't right to me. interpol was a rhythm section heavy band, and sam is on point here but the bass is so weak i doubt carlos had any part in doing that.

[darkestzealot]

Lets just be honest buddy you really do look like a bit of a bitch! and seriously! you have no idea what your talking about.

do you shit your pants allot? cause it looks and sounds like you do!

you should really be ashamed about yourself! you really are not qualified to review Interpol... and you look fat.

[GoPorchy]

It's a fan album. I love Interpol but at first listen I was conflicted. I gave it more and more time and it has grown to an all time new level. It's damn great. It's different and that's what makes it beautiful. They don't need to go back to TOTBL sound to make a great album, they need to grow. This album is the child of Antics and OLTA, catchy radio tunes and some deep melodic tunes for the most part. Memory Serves, Try it On, and The Undoing is defining Interpol IMO.

[smutyhouse]

sorry but this is a really weak review, if you can call it that. You should have called it my banal, unintersting perceptions. You should have explained why more, not just, 'this didnt do it for me' and repeat 'boring' like a mantra

[Mennoniet]

Lol, repeatedly saying something's boring, without realizing you can't get any more boring yourself. Thanks for the entertainment, it almost looks like a parody.

[5tinkfist]

Just don't listen to it then! you'll be missing out, it's a grower and can I just say Lights, Safe Without, Try It On and The Undoing.... F****** classics!

[THECLAYSTER]

I am a die hard Interpol fan. That being said, my opinion is probably biased, but in my case I feel that is okay. I don't look at one of their albums as being the best.,that also being said, I dig this new album. To say Paul's voice is different is factual, but I wouldn't say he changed singing style. You have to remember, he is a smoker. Smoking changes things in your throat, your vocal chords, etc. So I'd say the way he sings now is how he thinks he has always sang, rather than a "voice"

[Milbo1973]

Seems to me that all the critics are saying the album isn't any good while all the fans (me included) LOVE the album.

Who gives a frigg anyway? If you like it "listen" to it if you don't go fishing...........for complements.

[TheMoonman157]

the album is fantastic. TOTBL is my favourite album ever but i think some fans are too caught up in it, they're judging the new album in terms of the first. In my opinion, the new album is on a par with antics, and certainly miles better that Our Love to Admire. It is unfortunate that Always Malaise is on the album because it's Interpols woest song ever, but all the tracks around it i think are great. Keep listening :)

[petmay13]

gosh, just listen to the interpol-songs you like, OK?

[MertonDJ]

Sorry mate but your review drags like the album. A lot of critics describe the album as dull and in comparison to TOTBL and AnticsI have to agree.

You have to listen to this album a few times before you start to enjoy it although I have to say the last 2 tracks are what leave you feeling negative.

Verdict : Still my favourite band ever. Thank you guys for not selling out. We await the next album.

[liquidlights123]

On the whole,i agree with what you say. The album feels tired and thoughtless, with little outside influence. And how Sam compared it to TOTBL i don't know. Its missing the punchy, energy driven songs that the last three had. Barricade comes close, but falls short at the chorus for me. I also think they have become obsessed with this new sound they're looking for, and i personally think the traditional set up of guitars, bass and drums is better for them. Fingers crossed for number 5 I say!

[ROKUSHAKUBOJUTSU]

I think people who were expecting the traditional choppy guitars and obvious hooks will be dissapointed. Those who are looking for an advanced and beautiful interpol sound will fall deeply inlove with this album. I for one am glad that its magic and bliss has appealed to me, I can't stop listening. I love all the little samples and extra stuff they have put into the songs. I love Pauls voice, I love the orchestral feel. They are very proud of their new "baby" as they called it, and so am I.

[ROKUSHAKUBOJUTSU]

I guess it is a matter of opinion. I LOVE this new album. You said their new sound is boring, where as I have seen MANY people who love the new matured sound of their songs. They HAVE improved their sound. I find these new songs to be amazing and feel alot tighter than their older stuff. I find there is a beginning and an end, the last 3 songs are the most amazing ending of an album I've heard in a long time. The album starts in a kind of optimistic tone and by the end it turns to sorrow with

[krmn91]

I respect you for that Fight Club poster but the thing is you can't compare that album to TOTBL, it's obviously different and a evolution of their sound (I can't say if for better or worse, that depends on your taste of course). Anyways, I hope you can still enjoy their early material for long time if you just can't get into that new stuff. I think Memory Serves and Try It On are fantastic. And cool shirt, btw.

[pyemash]

Yes, I did find this review to weak and pretty dreary. Doesn't really make much sense.... music reviews can be poor, as purely based on the reviewers opinion, but this didn't add up to me. I agree, TOTBL is the best album. You say Antics was good and a complete album... but this wasn't - you also mention that they haven't progressed as musicians.Strange, vs TOTBL , the songs couldn't be more advanced; see try it on, the undoing, lights - as good as anything they have previously done. Boring - NA

[TheSpecialist33]

@pyemash Thanks for commenting!

[saaazura]

jajajaj pobre!! habla como si el fuera un maestro en la musica!! puta madre!! habla como un puto experto pero lo unico que hace es decir puras pendejadas tambien me da risa que dice que esta realmente desepcionado del ultimo disco por dios!! es uno de los mejores!!! simplemente un pendejo que no sabe saboriar la musica nimodi personas como estas se dicen llamar fans!???? shit!!!!!!!!!

[TheSpecialist33]

@saaazura Its an opinion, which is pretty much shared by most of the people who have commented. I'm a fan of interpol, and as a fan I recognize this as their weakest effort. You don't have to freak out.

[MrJak36]

I actually rather enjoyed the album. My biggest disappointment is the complete lack of Carlos' bass presence. It seems that Daniel has replaced him in the driving piece of the sound. Which makes sense, being that Carlos' departure was completely expected. That said, I really enjoyed the mixe between reverb and orchestral elements.

[TheSpecialist33]

@MrJak36 Yes, Carlos is missing big time. On of the biggest complaints for me was the last three to four songs on the album just don't flow at all. They all sound the same.

[elconor]

bitching about everything this lad it, so what if Daniel uses 12 gutiars, each gutiar has a different sound and Pioneer to the Falls has the same riff all the way through and you could say the same with Narc and The Lighthouse loads of Interpol songs are like that, Fucking Hell man hahah.

[nickfromCO]

i love it...especially lights and memory serves.

[rangi8162010]

I agree with you for the most part, i was looking for more of the rock sound. But for me its still a good listen it just doesn't have those powerful songs like PDA, Narc, or Rest My Chemistry (favs from each album)...I would give it a 3/5.

[TheSpecialist33]

@rangi8162010 I tried to give it a try this entire weekend and I can't get over the disappointment.

[JacobHooper]

I agree with you.

After a 3 year wait, that was the best they could come up with?!

[TheSpecialist33]

@JacobHooper Yeah, 3 years is a long time. Thing is I take into consideration their time touring and what not. I feel like they probably spent about a year on this. Still, its slow and boring and goes no where.

[femmebot3000]

I agree with what you're saying regarding Kessler's riffs. Perhaps I need to play the album a few more times but there were a couple of instances when I could swear I heard the same song twice. Overall I was really underwhelmed by the fourth album - four years is a long time to wait for your favourite band to release an LP, so when it doesn't live up to your lofty expectations, its wholly disappointing.

[TheSpecialist33]

@femmebot3000 I agree. I heard the same song twice too. YAWN!

[afrojavix]

dude dont criticize music :S , they dont have to make albums for us the fans...they can do what they want and if you dont like it keep it to yourself :S

[TheSpecialist33]

@afrojavix Your criticism is appreciated!

[asdrocksyou]

I for one, love the album. It's different and dark, but I really enjoy it

[TheSpecialist33]

@asdrocksyou I'm jealous of you being able to like it!

[ZmanMusicReviews]

Thanks for your opinions. I feel like your sentiment is echoed by a lot of people who are hardcore Interpol fans. As a casual observer of the band that just got into them, I feel like it's just ok. I appreciate the musicianship thats there, but it definitely does not sound as polished or labored over as TOTBL. Might have to check out Antics sometime though.

[punkidjulian]

Dude, I felt just like you did when I first listened to this album, but it's a slow burner. The more you listen to it, the more it grows on you.

Now that I think about it, Interpol does sound like a techno act.

[TheSpecialist33]

@punkidjulian Thanks for the comment. I have listened to it enough to know that it isn't going to grow on me. Like I said, I like Barricade but everything else just doesn't go anywhere.

Certain albums I listen to I know to give it time. I felt that way with Animal Collective.

[punkidjulian]

@TheSpecialist33 Oh man, that's a shame.

Animal Collective, that's a band I've been wanting to check out. Which album do you this is a good starting point?

[TheSpecialist33]

@punkidjulian I started with Merriweather Post Pavilion. That's their easiest album to digest. They are strange, but interesting to listen to.