Interpol seemingly became a big deal out of nowhere, emerging from the glut of sound-alike New York bands by merging the post-punk influences of bands like Joy Division and the Happy Mondays with modern equipment and production techniques along with a fresh indie sound. Their latest, Our Love to Admire, continues the band’s slow and steady progression from 2004’s Antics and 2002’s Turn on the Bright Lights with a very refined and complex listening experience.
Paul Banks’ lonely and dispassionate vocals blend immaculately with the sombre melodies of album openers “Pioneer to the Falls,” “No I in Threesome” and “The Scale.” Single “The Heinrich Maneuver” changes the pace to a faster post-punk effect before going back to the very slow and melancholy pace of the prior three. It emerges again towards the end with “Who Do You Think” before totally giving way to the lethargic and beautiful soundscapes of “Wrecking Ball” and “The Lighthouse.” The result is an overall feel which is much more symphonic and darkwave-esque than Antics.
That said, if there’s one issue with the album, it’s how similar many of songs sound. On one hand, it gives the disc a single coherentness often lost in modern rock albums, while on the other, it makes for fairly monotonous listening. Clocking in at 46 minutes of pure minor chords, it also makes The Cure look like happy hardcore and isn’t recommended if you’re on medications for depression. Bonus marks: the insert art kicks serious ass.