LOOKING BACK AT ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE LAST DECADE

Review By: Sean Kayden

I don’t know what’s more shocking, how Interpol’s stellar debut album came out 10 years ago or the fact it still can stand toe-to-toe with any rock album released today. While the band may be on an extended hiatus (anyone’s guess if they’ll regroup), I wanted to go back to the period when this album came to light. I was a freshman in high school when “Turn On The Bright Lights,” a post-911 record by a foursome band hailing from NYC at the time was released. I distinctly recall a precise moment in my life when I was in a car when the radio was playing good music and the DJ hailed “PDA” by Interpol the best song on the airwaves after it ended. In a rare occurrence, the man on the radio was absolutely right. Incidentally, what he failed to mention was that the entirety of the album was something quite grand and deeply majestic. “Turn On The Bright Lights” was a game changer. As rock music was slowly decaying, the 90s alternative/grunge era was fading out, and indie rock on the rise, Interpol’s introduction couldn’t have been at a more ideal time. With their sophisticated panache, dark lyrics, and post-punk revival sound, the quartet was doing something very few bands at the time ever succeeded upon accomplishing.

Eleven tracks clocking in just shy of 49 minutes, the opus was effectively powerful and demonstrated complete catharsis. The cacophonous guitars, unexpected tonal shifts, and skillfully cadenced flow shined throughout. The record was extremely layered and rarely do any songs feel redundant in their resonance. There are the more slow-burn tunes like “Untitled,” “NYC,” and “Hands Away.” Then there’s “Obstacle 1,” a shimmering, commanding song that showcases Paul Banks’ stark and drone-like vocals in the absolute best way possible. His vocals are reminiscent of the 80s band Joy Division—a downbeat sort of delivery that touches on both dramatic and harrowing elements. When “PDA” begins, the record is taken to new heights. It’s a fierce tune that is utterly in your face and you have no problem with that. There is this intangible cool factor to it that is incomparable. Even Interpol themselves were never able to replicate. Despite the fact that “Turn On The Bright Lights” has had ten years now to collect rust and decompose, the sound of the record feels more sprightly and refreshing than ever before. I must forewarn you when listening to this record again, you may experience extreme nostalgia and yearn for another place and time—possibly to the first time this sound wonderfully graced your eardrums.

There is such a strangely intoxicating fog that hovers over the record. Lyrically distance and cold, but also uplifting and boisterous, the bands songwriting really shines. It’s as if you can sense the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this masterful work of art. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most fervent albums of the past decade and one that seemingly can stand the test of time. At the end of the day, for me at least, it’s not a perfect album. A near perfect album? Sure. The problem is the song “Roland,” a punk rock type of song with unpleasant discordant vocals and unappealing music arrangements. The song saves itself in the final stages when it becomes instrumental as Interpol once again turns heads and delivers their typical wow factor. There are some other minor complications, but as far as debut records go, it’s in a league of its own. However, even in spite of being only a debut, the album just works on all levels, something you noticed more in seasoned veterans. “Turn On The Bright Lights” is dark, menacing, tender, and drenched in unconventional beauty. It will be talked about in another ten years. And probably another ten years after that. Trust me as I tell you that this, my friends, is a classic album never to abandon and one never too late to discover for the first time, no matter how well it gracefully ages.

Grade: 9.5 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Obstacle 1”, “PDA” “Say Hello To The Angels”, “NYC”, “Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down”

*NOTE: Turn On the Bright Lights (10th Anniversary Edition) will be released on December 11^th, 2012 through Matador Records. The set includes a disc with bonus material like unreleased demos and b-sides.

Published By Mountain Views News on November 24th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n47/p10.htm