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INTERPOL - OUR LOVE TO ADMIRE
Bands inevitably reach a stage where they mature or change their sound or dynamic, “Our Love To Admire” is exactly that for NYC outfit Interpol. As with all changes, it can be good or bad, unfortunately it is the latter for the band.
Their third album falls short of what the first two produced. The aggression and passion of their stunning debut ablum “Turn on The Bright Lights” and subsequent follow up “Antics” has been replaced with a sort of sombreness and calm that just doesn't work.
The released single “Heinrich Manoeuvre” is exactly what you want the album to be, it’s fast and Carlos D (the coolest bassist on the planet) really stamps his authority on the song with an upbeat and catchy bass riff. With its dark lyrics juxtaposed against a somewhat poppy tune it’s the perfect Interpol song, unfortunately it’s the only real glimpse we get of the bands potential.
“Pioneer to the Falls” the first track sucks you in with a sultry teasing guitar but it fails to follow through and it leaves you alone and cold. “Pace is the Trick” is almost an exact replica.
The thing about Interpol that sets them apart from a lot of the other poser indie bands out there is their ability to exude unbelievable amounts of coolness without trying, but they are trying too hard with their third release and just don’t let it flow.
“Mammoth” would be the perfect example of this. It has the fast paced Interpol feel about it, but when you break it down it’s fundamentally based on a pop structure. There’s too much going on in the song, with synth guitars and organs and not enough cohesiveness. It feels too forced and for a band with such ability it’s a warning sign that maybe they are running out of new ideas.
Its not all bad, it may not be the great album we all expect, but it has its moments, just not enough. “All Fired Up” starts with a very jazzy bass beneath a somewhat sexy guitar riff, and the song doesn’t fall as short as its predecessors. And lyrically it’s spot on. The line “I teach you of death’s desire reflected in lakes as I leave you in a precipice of fate,” exemplifies their ability to write beautiful conundrum like lyrics.
“Who Do You Think?” would be another standout track on the album. But for the hardcore Interpol fan, more would have been expected. Lets hope if there is a fourth it’s a reversion to their beginnings. Sometimes progression ain’t all that it’s cracked up to be.
P J Murray