By riverphoenix in Releases
The return of Interpol is true. The NY band the brought back post-punk is set to release their fourth album on the 7th of September on Matador Records. This will be their self-titled album, indicating their musical return to their 2002 debut Turn on the Bright Lights . The album has already been recorded at Electric Lady Studios, with founding bassist Carlos Dengler leaving the group right after the recordings and Dave Pajo and Brandon Curtis joining their touring roster. We are still more than a month away from the release, but a pre-release has fallen in our hands, so we though of sharing our thoughts.
First up, we need to admit that the version we got is really raw and of the poorest (technically) quality. So we can't yet comment on the actual production that will take place. Nevertheless, we can give an insight to the core melodies and general album feeling. The album start is quite strong, with Success, Memory Serves and Lights staying true to the original Interpol sound, with sparky guitar riffs and distinct drum pounds setting the pace. Unfortunately, Lights is the turning point of the album. Barricade that follows remains upbeat but with a dull, too generic pop-ish melody. From then on the tracks change pace and become slower and darker, with a few synth or even drum'n'base like loops. For me this simply splits the album in half, which I'm not too keen of. All in all, I wouldn't say I was too impressed by the album. I can't see many new elements and it all sounds too Interpol for their own good (or perhaps I'm just too influenced by the recent Arcade Fire release...can't expect from all bands to re-invent their sound in every album). Let's wait and see, perhaps they could work some magic in the post-production phase, otherwise I'll probably pass.
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