Interpol finally released a follow-up album after three years of silence.  This is their fourth CLP, entitled Interpol.  Not sure why bands decide to self-title albums so late in the game, but oh well.  Overall, I am pleased with the final product.

I have been a fan of Interpol's since the beginning, a superfan even.  Those times have passed though.  Over the years I have been able to obtain an objective eye.  This album is nothing out of the ordinary from their previous work.  Paul Banks had claimed in 2009 that this album would sound nothing like their debut, and I disagree wholeheartedly.  I have always been fond of Turn on the Bright Lights, and this does come back to some of the stylistic elements of that album.  Interpol's Fourth LP, Interpol, returns to an ethereal and dark tone.

Yet Interpol does offer some good nuggets.  "Success" and "Barricade" give us the energy filled, rhythm songs that are reminiscent of "Obstacle 2" and others.  On the other side of things, we get the luscious "Lights" (which is paired with a (in my opinion) "too creepy to be art" music video -- view it below).  Very epic in proportion.  Also, "Memory Serves" is in the same category, kind of a little brother to "Lights."  Finally, "Try It On" was a pleasant surprise to me as well, probably one of my favorites of the album.  It showed a slightly different depth to the band that I had not personally seen before. 

But beyond these tracks, I was slightly disappointed with the remaining songs.  Specifically, "Always Malaise (The Man I Am)," "Summer Well," "All of the Ways," and "The Undoing" can put me to sleep.  This might have been Interpol's intent, I do not know.  But they may have pushed too much of the ghost-like sound in these.  However, this technique has been fairly common in their previous albums, so I really do not mind.

With the completion of this LP, (bassist/keys) Carlos Dengler has decided to depart from the band. :( *tear*  He has been my favorite member since the beginning of the band.  I really am hoping that Interpol can find someone as creative/talented as that dude.  At the moment, David Pajo and Brandon Curtis are touring live.  Who knows what will happen with their next album, but I am not going to keep my hopes up.  Sorry, Interpol, big shoes to fill.

To conclude, I would have to say that this is Interpol's second best album, 7.6 out of 10 (behind Turn on the Bright Lights).  No offense, Antics, you are the same song over and over again -- although a real good song.  Buy it?  Maybe...  Only if you like this dark spacey type of thing.

Interpol - Interpol - Track List
1. "Success"  
2. "Memory Serves"  
3. "Summer Well"  
4. "Lights"  
5. "Barricade"  
6. "Always Malaise (The Man I Am)"  
7. "Safe Without"  
8. "Try It On"  
9. "All of the Ways"  
10. "The Undoing"

Interpol - "Lights" - Video