291) Interpol - Antics

Ah Interpol they have been around for about five years, haven’t they? I’m good on these things, checks internet, formed in 1997, where the hell does the time go, I’m convinced I bought Turn on the Bright Lights only a couple of years ago, I don’t imagine anyone under thirty reads anything I write but life certainly does fly by once you get past a certain age.

Antics is their second record released back in 2004 (just the bare twenty-one years, Jesus) and was a commercial hit here and back in their native USA.

Is it possible to write a review of Interpol without mentioning Joy Division? probably yes if you are a good writer whereas we all know my level so can I say they do remind me so much of Joy Division from Paul Banks vocals to the imaginative use of the bass, the almost mechanical guitars and powerhouse and efficient drums holding it all together.

This is a record that is more to the point than their debut (a wonderful start to a recording career) with more immediate choruses although there is always a  clinical nature to their music.

Next Exit is minimal with Banks dominating and it’s almost a minute before the song shifts in structure, it’s a low key start to the record but if the aim was to draw you in then they succeed.

Evil the opening bass reminds me of Pixies Where Is My Mind? And the guitar  throws out shades here and there and the chorus is bizarre but this works on so many levels.

Take You On A Cruise the rhythm section excel but you think not a lot is happening and then they all decide to take it up a notch at the two minute mark and the song cruises along (sorry).

Slow Hands will grab you from the start a swaggering riff, upfront drums and a huge chorus, three minutes of incredibly cool dominating music and Not Even Jail should have been released by a band from the North in the early 80’s and listen to those guitars on Public Pervert and C’mere.

A Time to Be So Small is a downbeat end to a solid enjoyable record where Interpol were making plans to be in this game for the duration.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Slow Hands