Interpol

by 
AlbumSep 07 / 201010 songs, 45m 20s
Post-Punk Revival
Popular

The long-awaited fourth album from New York’s INTERPOL finds them exploring dark musical landscapes of layered depth and intensity. In contrast to 2007’s ‘Our Love To Admire,’ this self-titled opus hangs together as an album, a set of very different songs that thematically connect. From the highly melodic “Barricade” and “Lights” through the snarling “Memory Serves” and the extraordinary triptych of connected tracks that close the album, Interpol have never made work this emotionally resonant or packed with crescendos. Mixer Alan Moulder has brought the rhythm section back to the fore, anchoring a thicket of orchestral sound that brings to mind touchstones from black metal to ‘70s art rock, but always remains identifiably Interpol. Hypnotic, bizarre, always indelible, ‘Interpol’ is the band’s magnum opus.

4.6 / 10

Interpol re-group on Matador and record a bleak, depressive album about disillusionment and being at the end of one's rope.

D+

Releasing a self-titled album mid-career is a textbook “back to basics” ploy, deliberately signaling a new start to a fan base that might be losing interest. Hitting the reset button isn’t a bad move for the men of Interpol, who over-reached and underperformed on 2007’s Our Love To Admire. But judging from the joyless…

5 / 10

7.3 / 10

Back in black

A lot about Interpol suggests that it's a statement of purpose, from its eponymous title to the fact that it was released by Matador, where the band released its best material.

An album of brooding intensity and muscular displays of power...Ever since Interpol emerged they have lurked in shadows.

7.0 / 10

As suggested by the simple title of their fourth album, Interpol pares down their sound, reducing the flourishes and touches that have crept into their music since their debut, 2002's immaculate Turn on the Bright Lights.

6 / 10

Interpol may not be quite self-parody, but it’s also not the sort of thing that’s going to make the band hip again anytime soon.

5 / 10

It's decent enough, but <strong>Will Dean</strong> can't find the oomph and joy of their previous work in the new Interpol album

40 %

Album Reviews: Interpol - Interpol

58 %

2.0 / 5

Interpol - Interpol review: Interpol is Interpol is Interpol. And Interpol sucks.