ALBUM REVIEW
INTERPOL – ANTICS
[MATADOR]


Interpol’s debut in 2002, Turn On The Bright Lights, was hailed by most as “debut of the year� and album of the year by many. Comparisons to the great Joy Division abound, many believed that it would be these of New Yorkers, not The Strokes, who would be the band of the nameless decade. Well, just as Room On Fire raised hints of doubt for Strokes-backers, so to does Antics for the Interpolers.

It’s not that Antics is bad album- it isn’t. But like The Strokes’ sophomore effort, Antics shows no growth for Interpol. When you listen to this album its as if you’ve heard all these songs before (the sentiment is literal for the album closer which originally appeared on 2001’s Precipitate EP) and know you’ve heard them done better. Missing is the urgency of ‘Obstacle 1 & 2’ and the majesty of ‘NYC’, replaced by the by-the-numbers ‘Next Exit’ and ‘Slow Hands’. The album has its highlights like the tapper ‘Evil’ and token acronym track ‘NARC’ but they are ultimately dimmer than those off …Bright Lights.

This coupled with the fact that the album is only ten tracks long, one of which is just a new mix of an old b-side, makes for an overall underwhelming effect to one of this year’s most highly anticipated records. It will grow on you but not enough to change your mind.

3/5

Thats too bad. I like most of the bright lights album, but if this one isnt as good Im afraid I might not like it.... Maybe Ill check it out just to see

I really liked Bright Lights, and I'll probably end up getting this one. I like the single "Slow Hands", and as long as it holds the Interpol style, it should be worth the money.

bought it today:

2/5

After several times hearing this album I have to say I really like it. It differs a little from their debut in the way it appears to be more upbeat in it's tone. I love their guitars. This album almost made my top 10 of 2004.

It is not as good as the debut but I like it.

I like it, but I have the same feelings for it as chrisclark does for it. 3/5 aswell.

Borrowed it from a friend and it is indeed not a bad album, but it lacks the dark atmosphere of the first one. The songs sound the same and yet not the same. They tried to do something a bit different, somehow, in sound at least, but it didn't pay off apparently... Anyway let's hope they try to do something else yet next time... Maybe with more synthesizers? Or not that would be too cliché eighties maybe... Favourite song is probably "Evil"...

"Evil" is definitely the top track on the album- probably the only one that couldve cracked ...Bright Lights.

I find it very funny how the perception that Turn on the Bright Lights was the better album. I know many people who find Antics the perferable listen. I like both albums a lot, and Antics is more upbeat. I guess for those "Joy Division" fans who like the gothic, depressing sounds more, this is not the album to listen too.