Interpol - Our Love To Admire

Pretty happy at the moment. Just got my copy of Interpol's new album "Our Love To Admire" off of iTunes (I gave into the preorder because they offered a Ticketmaster password to get the first jump on Interpol tickets).

I'm about to to listen to it. It is now 2:30am (I just got off of work). I'll try to review each track as it comes along. Also, the iTunes store offers an extra track called, "Mind over Time." I hear good things about it.

Alright. The headphones are on. Let's get started, shall we?

o1. Pioneer to the Falls

I've heard this on that Kitchener bootleg.. Amazing opener. It's hypnotic. I feel as if I'm in a bit of a trance. The broader sound that was promised is really brought to full force here. When Paul Banks sings, "..and here comes the fall." The song carries you to another level. I'm getting images like when I listened to The Cure's "Pornography." Not depressing, but the music is so vibrant that it paints pictures.

o2. No I In Threesome

Paul's voice shows a more emotion, I notice. Not just monotone-ish shouting. His voice really rises and falls with the music, quite spectacular. "Maybe it's time we give something new a try."

o3. The Scale

Dang, I love that Daniel Kessler and his guitar riffs. And whoa...Paul did a high note? (I must sound the idiot) He's vocally more melodic.

o4. The Heinrich Maneuver

I've listened to this one a lot, but we'll give it time. :D Although, after seeing the music video for this one, I keep playing that image in my mind. I love the little guitar bit around (1:06). Paul sings "And today, my heart swings," and there's this little guitar bit that's deep and goes "vroom." Love it. I have to admit, when I heard the Kitchener tracks, it wasn't my favorite. Mammoth was. I love Heinrich a lot more now.

o5. Mammoth

Holy crap, I'm so excited for this one, it's been the one that I've looked forward to the most. It just...takes off. Like, just grabs you by the collar and takes you for the ride. Really rocking on this one! Paul's beginning vocals are lower than the bootleg version at the beginning...but it's still freaking massive. Bells and all, it's amazing. If I ever get to an Interpol show, this is the one I'll be anticipating the most.

o6. Pace Is The Trick

Ooh, halfway.

I'm trying to make sense of the words. I usually listen to music and how it makes me feel. This track seems pretty emotional and raw. Not at all distant. I really like this one, will grow on me, definitely.

o7. All Fired Up

I heard off a few Interpol interviews that Carlos' bass playing is less in the forefront and that Sam's drums are much louder. No kidding. It's like guitar, loud drums, keyboards. I hardly detect bass. This is a definitely Interpol, but new direction. Quality.

o8. Rest My Chemistry

Heard this, since it had leaked. A definite favorite. Starts with that little kind of piano box opening. Similar to the interval In the Rilo Kiley track "Spectacular Views." Same whimiscal mood. Then 20-or so seconds in, the bands kick in, and it's lovely, delicious groove into a Pixies-ish guitar lick. Lyrics relate the aftermath of too much partying...but I'm too busy moving with the groove to listen intently....

o9. Who Do You Think

I usually try to guess what the song might sound like by the beginning riff. I thought it a bit Jeff Buckley...then the song starts, sounds like U2 for a second when Paul starts singing, then it pauses, like it's switching gears and goes forward. A little pause here and there. Clever. This is growing on me for sure.

1o. Wrecking Ball

Sounds like it's heading toward the mood presented at the beginning. Really sounds sort of sad and full of regret, in a way. To me it does. The strings, bass drums, horns at the 3:30 mark make me think of some rain, and some Victorian image of a man walking away from a woman. Lyrics may suggest otherwise. I could be way off. :D


11. The Lighthouse

Last (album) track. What, already? Man.

Beginning sounds like a Spanish guitar strum bit. Like the sun is rising, or something like that. Paul's voice floats over as the guitar crests and falls. It's surreal. This is different...holy. (2:09) It's slowly building. I was going to say that the guitar riff is different for Interpol. Or, of what I expect anyway. A bit dreamlike, especially with the keyboards adding some orchestral background feel to it. Drums and everything else enters around (4:25), bringing closure to this track and to the album.

Amazing.

****

Mind Over Time (Bonus Track)

Okay. The extra track. I'm assuming it's going to be an instrumental...

(1:15) Oh nevermind, my bad. Haha. They're using some sound bytes...I thought some of it was in French. After those bytes, the band jumps in full force....before Paul brings back down...


*****

FINAL THOUGHTS

I don't think I ever have to worry about a lack of quality when it comes to Interpol. I'm never really disappointed. OLTA is closer to TOTBL in terms of mood in some places, but Antics shows itself as well. OLTA shows the evolution of Interpol's sound, into something bigger and broader. OLTA is it's own little animal (pardon the pun, considering the album art).

I have to give the album time to see how it grows on me, but it's got a good start. I recommend it. It's solid through and through and entirely cohesive from beginning to end. Maybe I'm biased, but it's the best I've heard this year. Arcade Fire probably second.

When you, dear reader, do get this album. Headphones are recommended. You want to get lost in this. :)