“The full on Interpol Spectacular ”
“The full on Interpol Spectacular “
Interpol hold a dear place in my heart and of the new bands to appear over the past few years; they’re among my favourites. The lyrics to NYC (to be found on their 2002 debut album Turn on The Bright Lights), ” know you supported me for long time, somehow I’m not impressed, New York cares” will haunt me forever. It obviously has something to do with the fact that I am a native New Yorker and these guys have found a way to perfectly convey NYC musically, capturing the mood and atmosphere that I grew up in and knew for my 20 odd years of living there.
Tonight’s show was incredible as a whole. It was the full on Interpol Spectacular with perhaps the best light show that I have seen at the Paradiso. The lighting design supported the atmosphere of the band as well as adding another dimension/character to the show. Although I didn’t realize until the end of the show that drummer Sam Fogarino was actually there, because of all the smoke blasting from the fog machines around him.
The boys looked snazzier than ever sporting suits, dress shirts, ties and posh hats. Bass player Carlos Dengler, who bares uncanny resemblance to Charlie’s Angels character “The Skinny Man” rocked a black vest, tie, pants combo, looking ever so groomed and professional. It’s really nice to see a band that appreciates the whole package that their music represents and a clear understanding of how to present it to the public. I suppose it would be the same music even if they were all in old tee shirts and jeans… but somehow the gangster thing with dramatic lights screams rock n’roll to me, especially when veiled in smoke.
Evil, Evil, Evil. Evil introduces Interpol’s newest muse Rosemary (what happened to Stella?) and to me is the freshest and most interesting song off 2004’s Antics. This song is equipped with nearly everything a hit song needs and I feel is a huge departure from their established sound.
One of my only critiques was that they played each of their songs to a ‘T and with near perfection to their albums. What was more interesting was hearing the songs from both albums mixed together. It made the differences more clear to me. There is a distinction in lyric and tone, not the tone of lead singer Paul Banks drone like voice, but more in the overall mood of the music. This second album seems more upbeat and mature.
Words and Photograph : Zoe Gottehrer