Anna
Anna
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Our Love To Admire, Not.

Posted almost 5 years ago
It's no secret that I fancy Interpol. But I did not find many things to admire in their new album.It's not that it is bad, it's musically fine. It's that it is painfully repetitive. And mind you, I never regarded Antics & Turn On The Bright Lights to be alike. I'm not one of those people that thinks that bands should change their sound with every new album, but I do think that bands should take said sound a step (or two) further. I mean, take a look at Arctic Monkeys and how wonderfully their sound evolved in their second album. Or Muse, who had an apparent Radiohead influence going on at first and yet managed to abolish the comparisons where they now belong (=1999), make their own sound and develop the hell out of it with each new album.But back to the point: Interpol’s new album. Almost each ("almost" being a key word; for instance, I except Heinrich Maneuver) song sounds like another song of theirs. No progress, no evolving of the sound I fell in love with. It bores me. It has no elements of a sonical provocation or mental challenge. It's the same old, same old. I'm bored. And I can't help but feel like they are mocking me; just a tad, but still."This is what happens when you wait three years for your bass player to grow a mini-goatee". At first I laughed when I read this (at a music magazine about how Editors stole Interpol's thunder), but then I realized that I *hope* it could be true. Because if the reason they needed these 3 years was to write *this* album (seriously, 3 years for this? Really?), they need to do some serious thinking. And so do we.Oh well. Maybe next time.
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Comments (48)

  1. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says Thanks, Anna. Your review pretty much captures my sentiments about the album as well. I was too unmoved by it to write anything myself, so it's good to know that someone has the work ethic around here! I think it'd be fair to say that "The Lighthouse", too, features some evolution of -Echo & The Bunnymen's- Interpol's trademark sound. Whether one likes that direction is a separate question, of course.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  2. Viva La Britt
    Viva La Britt says Damn. Sorry to hear that Carlos & Co. have let you down, Anna- especially after a three-year wait. I pray this is not the beginning of a streak and these guys don't lose your favor by going the "way of the Garbage":http://mog.com/Anna/blog_post/76401.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  3. Mike the Knife
    Mike the Knife says D'accord, Anna. Meanwhile, (to cop and twist a phrase) every day I love the new Editors album more and more. And much more than an echo of Echo, no?
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  4. deadmandeadman
    deadmandeadman says Its very difficult for a sound to evolve, you know? Artistic growth is not always what the record companies (or half the fans) want. You know as well as I that the average listener wants more of the same ad infintum ad naseum. I agree, Interpol seems to be treading water here. Sophomore jinx, maybe?
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  5. Anna
    Anna says You're welcome, Pekka. It's true, I have work ethic. In fact, I have so much of it that I'm thinking on selling some on eBay :) No worries, lovely Britt. Truth is that MOGgers blessed me with enough wonderful albums for me to afford to take this lightly. haha I can picture me going on a rant spree 6 years from now :) Good to see that you agree, Mikey :) I love that you love the ones I love! Oh yes, indeed :)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  6. Anna
    Anna says I understand your point, dmdm. Not sure who is to blame in this case, but surely there are factors we are unaware of. This is their third album btw (the second one was great).
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  7. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says See...i was a trend setter....i have been disliking Interpol for years ;-) Don't hut me Anna Norris Ooh...how about some Ann Norris facts for old time's sake: - Industrial logging isn't the cause of deforestation. Anna just needs toothpicks. - As President Roosevelt said: We have nothing to fear but fear itself. And Anna - When Bruce Banner gets mad, he turns into the Hulk. When the Hulk gets mad, he turns into Anna
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  8. RGM
    RGM says Nice Bass... ;)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  9. Anna
    Anna says B, you're just jealous of Carlos' facial hair! :P ahhahahaha the Anna Norris facts are always bloody hysterical. Thank you, thank you, you shall be spared :) I concur that, dear Ray :)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  10. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says My dear niece, this is exactly how I feel about The Editors, boring, repetitive & uninspired. Interpol do this far better even at their supposed worst, which "Our Love To Admire" doesn't even come close to being a bad album. I've listened to it almost every day since I acquired it & still love it. If you pay attention to the lyrics of the songs you will see that Interpol has grown. Their songwriting has improved with tighter song structure and there are wonderful flourishes throughout the album that distinctly show that they are evolving such as in the guitar playing and the inclusion of more keyboards. You, of course, are entitled to your opinion. Interpol continues to do what they do best, make great & epic music with incredible class and grace. The Editors do what they do best, imitate the great sound & talent of Interpol(& their forebearers, Joy Division, Echo & T.B., The Cure, etc) of course which is actually quite a compliment to Interpol. The Editors first cd from what I've heard wasn't very good, the new one I've listened to is mediocre at best whereas Interpol's output has been great on the first two cds & really solid & far above mediocre on the third.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  11. Anna
    Anna says Wow, I thought my post was about Interpol. First of all, evolving isn't just about making your song writing tight and progress in guitar playing; I expect this of bands to begin with, otherwise I don't bother. Second of all, I never cared about who is imitating whom, but if you want to go down that road, Editors are not imitating Interpol. They are, just like Interpol, influenced by JD & the like. But then again, aren't most bands? And I can't blame them.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  12. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says I hear it completely differently Augusts...I think The Editors are heavily inspired by bands like Joy Divison but I think they have a most definite unique sound...especially on their first record...go listen to Bullets and tell me that is ripping anyone off...they rock, in my opinion, and I will never get Interpol. Which is the beautiful thing about music...three people can hear the same record and hear 3 different things
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  13. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says Blair, the truly interesting question, to me, is whether at least some of those people would be wrong in what they hear. (I know, I know, most people think the answer is No, music and art are subjective, etc. etc. I'm just not convinced that that's so, that's all; I have no settled view.)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  14. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says Interesting theory Pekka...but I just don't think that there is a way to quantify it....unless you have come up with an equation and are holding out on us
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  15. SA
    SA says Sorry to hear you don't like the album Anna. I still love it. "Pioneer to the Falls" still gives me chills when it goes "I felt you so much today/ I know you try, you fly, straight into me heart/ You fly straight into my heart/ Girl I know you try, you fly, straight into my heart/ You fly, straight into my heart, but here comes the fall". "No I in Threesome" I find to be another lovely song. I still have to smile at the tone of voice with which Banks opens "The Heinrich Maneuver", that sneering "How are things on the West Coast?". "Wrecking Ball" I find another lovely track. Perhaps between Mammoth and Who Do You Think? there's a bit of a lull, but I think the album is very good. And "Pioneer to the Falls" is, imho, sheer brilliance, and I can't say I find it to be repeating any other song in their catalogue. I guess we can't agree on every album. ;)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  16. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says Ha ha, why yes your post was about Interpol niece. I just know that you love Editors & I don't. I know that Editors have acquired the tag "the new Interpol" for a reason. You may think they aren't imitating Interpol and that's fine but the first Editors song I heard I thought immediately of Interpol, not JD or anyone else. Blair, I agree, that is the beauty of music, different people will hear different things from music. And it's great that we can discuss our differences of opinion freely on Mog. It's what makes this such a wonderful site. Btw, I really would prefer not to hear Editors' first album since I didn't even like the new one & I have plenty of other music I'd rather listen to.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  17. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says "They" talk a lot, don't they? In fact, however, at least a Google search on the words "Editors are the new Interpol" doesn't bring up a single hit that I could find among the first 30 or so which would make that claim. The search brings up pages that note that the two bands' released new albums were close to one another, many say the two bands don't sound all that similar, some praise Interpol over Editors, other praise Editors over Interpol, other praise both, yet others pan both in favor of praising Spoon or something else. Music blog business as usual, in other words. But no one says Editors imitate Interpol. I don't doubt that it was your mental association, August, but it certainly doesn't follow from that that Editors imitate Interpol. Perceived correlation doesn't imply causation etc. etc. At most it means that they have similar influences. So perhaps next time we could see some evidence, please.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  18. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says my head hurts
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  19. Marigold
    Marigold says This post has turned out to be pretty interesting. First things first... to respond to the original issue of Interpol's new record. I have heard it maybe 5 or so times. Mostly as background music, but two of the spins have been pretty good quality. I think it is a solid record at this point, but I am not really geeked on it like I have been the last two records. It is funny that Pekka just mentioned panning the new Interpol and the new Editors in favor of Spoon, but prior to reading Pekka's post, I would have done exactly that....praise the crap out of the new Spoon and kind of pooh pooh the new Interpol and Editors. Editors, once again, not bad but not really sticking with me either. As for the bigger point that we have stumbled into on this post. I aggree in general with Pekka that there is music that IS better. .....but DAMN! It is a very fine line....I really hate to say that the Editors are shit when they connect with so many people. I can't mess with that, even IF it is inferior as an example to Interpol. I just hate messing with people's music that they connect with. I mean, who am I to say the Editors are shit? I know the special bond that I hold with many bands and it makes it hard for me to squish someone elses' connection. I am not as sure that it is an argument of the art of music and its subjectivness, as an effort to avoid to make sweeping generalizations about bands we personally do not connect with. So there you go, I have eleoquently taken both sides of the fence havn't I? Oh well, it is a tough job but someones got to do it.... great post Anna.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  20. Dale
    Dale says Regarding the new Interpol album, I'm still enjoying it quite a bit, although I do think it's pretty spotty. Besides "The Heinrich Maneuver". I'm still enthralled with "Pioneer To The Falls", "Pace Is The Trick", and "No I In Threesome". I agree that it's a dip below Antics in quality, but then again I also thought Antics was a dip below Turn On The Bright Lights. When Turn On The Bright Lights came out, it was like a life raft to me in a sea of really bad music, so I have clung to it tightly. Perhaps for that reason, I still give Interpol a wide berth, and refuse to get disappointed over the new album. As far as Editors imitating Interpol, I don't see it. I do think both bands start with the same source influences (Joy Division, Echo & The Bunnymen, Chameleons, etc.), but have taken divergent paths since.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  21. Lizziegreeneyes
    Lizziegreeneyes says Hey sista girl... I am finding with each listen - I am less interested in Interpol's newest album. I find with each listen I am falling more & more for the Editor's new one. I am a girl who loves a band to evolve with each album - I usually use the word change - but saw through your post that it's not the right word. I want them to move forward or to the side, but not backwards & never stagnant. I can't see spending money on two different albums that sound the same from the same band. I can listen to two albums from two different bands who have similar influences - if the music is good - who cares what influenced the band - what I can say for certain is that all bands are influenced by someone/some band that came before - or by life or by a painting they saw when they were 5... Great post... as usual my sister in music :)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  22. Augusts1
    Augusts1 says My head hurts too Blair. Sheesh, it's only a music discussion Pekka, don't get your shorts all in a wad, heh. It's a personal opinion & the last I checked no one has to give factual evidence to express their personal opinion. Marigold I think you hit it right on the head with your comments, I would heartily agree.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  23. chucky
    chucky says Hmm, this was on my list of stuff to pick up, now I think no. On the other hand, I won't have much to compare it to, since I don't have their previous albums. :)
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  24. david hyman
    david hyman says i know that feeling. it's always a bummer. happened to me with pearl jams last 3-4 albums. : ( nothing worse than losing your crush
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  25. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says It's not for no reason that I wear skinny clothes, August. Not enough extra fabric for them to get all in a wad. All I was saying is that the claim "Editors have acquired the tag “the new Interpol'" sure sounds like a factual claim about what people are saying, and I was wondering what reason there is to think that it's in fact true. Mike's elaboration brings out issues that provide a lot of food for discussion. I don't think he'd need to teeter on the fence, though. What would it mean if some music were objectively better? It wouldn't mean that anyone who thinks this is the case must also claim that they know what music is objectively better. If you think that some music is objectively better, you can (indeed, had better) be humble about that and recognize that you're fallible about those judgments. That's partly because it wouldn't mean that those standards would be clear-cut or easy to articulate; Mike's right on the money there. It also wouldn't mean that if you do think that you've hit upon the truth, you must go around trumpeting the good music in a way that messes with other people's enjoyment of the music that speaks to them. (We have enough snobs doing that already, for crying out loud.) Like art in general, music doesn't have to be good by standards of artistic musical achievement in order for someone to like it or for it to connect with or mean a lot to someone. These values are distinct from one another and needn't rule each other out. To take a personal example from the movies, I don't pretend that Repo Man or Un Coeur en Hiver are particularly good exemplars of the art of film, but that doesn't stop them from connecting with me them for various reasons. There's no conflict or contradiction or guilt whatsoever in this combination of attitudes. And just so that there is no misunderstanding: I did not claim that there are objective standards by which music qualifies as good or bad. All I was saying was that I take this to be a fascinating question that's worth thinking hard about, and that I'm not prepared to rule the possibility that there are such standards out of court - not yet. I will say that I would find it disappointing if the artistic quality of music were subjective in the way that, say, taste in ice cream flavor is. There wouldn't be very far for dialogue to go.
    Permalink posted 07/29/2007
  26. sunscream
    sunscream says This is great
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  27. FluxCapacitor
    FluxCapacitor says Anna is right about the repitition. And I'm talking literally. Play the intros to Pace Is The Trick and Pioneer To The Falls one after the other to see. And mogger captheoldtimes has pointed out how the intro to Mammoth is reminiscent of Not Even Jail. However... Musical misteps aside. I believe Paul Banks is growing as a lyricist and singer. I find much of his work here very affecting, and recognise that's in large part down to the sonic landscapes his fellow member's have laid down for him. So, to my mind Rest My Chemistry is a bona fida is work of art. (You can "click here":http://mog.com/FluxCapacitor/blog_post/94484 for my rationale.) I'm equally transported by Pioneer To The Falls, repitition or no. Heinrich Maneuver is a brilliant, brilliant pop song. If anybody else recorded this praises would be sung from a-high. Who Do You Think is another cracking pop song. All Fired Up and Mammoth the same. I played these songs over the w/e for people who didn't know the band and watched as they tapped along unconsciously to the music. As for Editors, they led me to Interpol so for that I'm thankful they exist. Banks is a much more personal songwriter, Tom Smith more "journalistic" in his approach. I prefer the former's style but don't deny that Smith means every word he sings. Interpol just rock my boat harder, is all. Sorry for hogging so much comment space...
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  28. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The new Interpol album is damn good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me a break people.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  29. HelenMarie
    HelenMarie says Oh, my condolences Anna. I've been let down a time or 2 by my favorites, what a shame to be teased with such great albums, then to be left like...huh.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  30. gympumpkin
    gympumpkin says While I really like the new Interpol album, I have to admit I was expecting more. I dont' find it boring, and I enjoy listening to it, but I wish I would have seen more growth or something. I don't know.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  31. Anna
    Anna says David and SunshineDaydream, thank you very much for the psychological support. Us music junkies need it in times like this :) Henry, no one said that it is bad. Like I said up there, "It’s not that it is bad, it’s musically fine. It’s that it is painfully repetitive.". Stefan and Dale, I'm glad you guys are enjoying the album. I will not take your words lightheartedly and I will keep spinning the songs you mention. August, eh, I don't care about tags and labels in life in general and same goes for my music. Lizzie, great minds and green-eyed women think alike ;) I couldn't agree more with your last paragraph. Ashley, if you are interested in getting Interpoled, I would recommend Antics (though I'm sure that most people would recommend their first album; I just always thought Antics is better). Andrea, I think that on some level you feel the way I do, only much more mildly. Three years raise expectations for a very good reason. Pekka, you already know my subjective opinion on the matter, no need for me to repeat it. ;) Marigold, excellently put, my friend. After you comment and Pekka's last comment, I have to say that I am more intrigued by the question of why do we connect to certain music, than I am to what constitutes good music, it now somehow feels more important. It would tell us more about people and I always found you humans to be fascinating lol :) FluxCapacitor, you and Marigold have sober minds and passionate hearts. I will try to go deeper in the songs you mention as well. I hope you are right about Banks, because I still like the band very much (Antics is one of my favourite albums of all time). And no worries, this why we have all this space, for people to fill it! :) Thank you all for the constructive feedback and civilized manners :)
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  32. Anna
    Anna says Oh, and sunscream, you cheeky boy you ;)
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  33. Neill
    Neill says I can see where you are coming from with this one Anna. I still think the are five great tracks on it (Pioneer to the Falls, No I in Threesome, Heinrich Maneuver, Rest My Chemistry and Lighthouse), but it's not as good as the first two albums.... . My three great 'hopes' for 2007; Editors, Interpol and Arcade Fire have all failed to reach the benchmarks they set for themselves but they have all still produced good albums. (As apposed to 'great') . Track 12; . ~rX8IUJuXkPq.mp3~
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  34. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says For what it's worth, I agree with Neill on all points. (Only maybe two of those really good Interpol tracks represent musical evolution.) Concisely put!
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  35. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says I still disagree, Anna. I find it no more repetitive than any Neil Young, Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen album...........and I do love any of the above.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  36. Known Human
    Known Human says Maybe it's time for you to move on. You know, there's a lot of music out there that doesn't all sound the same. The new Stars album is aces, the the entire Delgados catalog is diverse growing from lo-fi to intricately layered. Don't be afraid of good music.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  37. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says Known Human: I don't know any of the Delgados albums but your comment made me visit emusic and download "Hate".
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  38. Known Human
    Known Human says I was just listening to Hate. It's one of their middle albums. Domestiques is their most lo-fi. Universal Audio is my personal favorite.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  39. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says I'll start here and work my way through their earilier and later recordings. Thanks for recommending these............I hope.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  40. Known Human
    Known Human says They're kind of a mix of Belle & Sebastian and the New Pornographers.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  41. Me and the Horse I Rode In On
    Me and the Horse I Rode In On says I'll let you know what I think.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  42. Marigold
    Marigold says Anna, by referring to us as humans, does that mean you are from outerspace? I remember something my dad always used to say to us as kids. He would say, "So son. As an outsider, what do you think of the human race?" I always got a kick out of that saying. So I ask you Anna, as an outsider, what do you think of the human race? :) But seriously, thanks for the kind words.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  43. Anonymous says great review Anna ! just getting into them, too bad it's less than stellar though =( Still gonna get the album nonetheless thanks for the write up! =)
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  44. tybees
    tybees says You got it just right Anna. "Heinrich" is excellent, one of the best songs to come out this year, but the rest is give or take.
    Permalink posted 07/30/2007
  45. QueenofHell
    QueenofHell says Anna, I am not a big fan of Interpol and I haven't heard this album, but I love what you have written about it. So sorry that they disappointed you, though.
    Permalink posted 08/01/2007
  46. FluxCapacitor
    FluxCapacitor says Snap on Antics, Anna. I never tire of hearing those songs. And I didn't realize Sunscream was a piss-taker. He left that comment on a thread of mine recently, and I thought, "Nice one!"
    Permalink posted 08/02/2007
  47. caliscrnwrtr
    caliscrnwrtr says ugh...this is so depressing to hear...i've only heard "heinrich" and thought it was catchy enough, though not fabulous. i was holding out until the next single before i made up my mind, but you've made it up for me...
    Permalink posted 08/02/2007
  48. Anna
    Anna says Neill, thanks for the support and thanks for that Interpol track (I got it only after you posted it) :) Bradley, I'm not afraid of goodmusic, I'm just avoiding her because I owe her money. har har. You and Henry may carry on with your man- MOG- love. Marigold, I am a dark elf. Yup. A dark elf with a blog even. You're welcome :) You're welcome, Desiree. Do get it, you may see in it what I didn't. Thanks, Ty and Hell! Oh, Fluxy, if I may call you that, Sunscream is a piece of e-work :) Sorry to bring bad news, caliscrnwrtr. But, hey, you never know, it might work for ya. And if not, there are just so many bands for us to invest our time on :)
    Permalink posted 08/03/2007

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