Nietzsche would have loved Paul Banks

_Track Theme: Rest My Chemistry by Interpol_"The great epics of our lives are at the points when we gain the courage to rebaptize our badness as the best in us." - Frederich NietzscheNietzsche would have mogged about Paul Banks. I hope so at least. We’d get tired of constant posts about Wagner. And syphilis. He would liked the fact that both men stand accused of being the catalyst for unspeakable horror. Nietzsche, with Nazism. Banks, for the career of the Editors. Not that he'd ever refer to this unfairness. Nietzsche would confine his musings to the songs of Interpol.I imagine his insights into Paul Banks' words would astound music fans. Perhaps land him a plum job at Pitchfork. Whatever the forum, he'd write appreciatively about Banks showing the worst sides of himself. And in doing so, helping fellow sinners to feel less alone. Assuming they can understand the lyrics.Frederich would point out that Interpol's music is cloaked in darkness yet essentially humanistic. And more often or not concerns twisted love affairs. He'd point out this aspect in a ten-part post called "Strangelove: Paul Banks And His Women". He'd joke that if women could decipher Banks' lyrics, they'd know everything about their man. And how that's a big if! (He wouldn't be that good at jokes.)Further he'd be scathing of those who think Turn On The Bright Lights' post-punk experiments constitute their best album. Especially since it's plain to all but the earless that the greatest album ever made is Antics. Hey, these are Nietzsche's words, not mine. Frederich Nietzsche the great philosopher. And Mogger.One wonders if Banks is consciously following Nietzschean ideals in offering up his badness for all to see. Perhaps it's instinctive. Either way he seems to be keeping good company. At least philosophically. In real life he's knocking about with cokeheads. That's the likelihood anyway, given the words to _Rest My Chemistry_, the one true epic on Interpol's new LP.On this song Banks stops drawing comparisons to Ian Curtis. And instead cobs from Bernard Sumner._"I've lived my life on pills" - Thieves Like Us, New Order__"I live my life in cocaine" - Rest My Chemistry, Interpol_Different generation. Different drug. And yes, in all honesty, very different songs. On _Thieves_ Sumner implores a lover to stop living in the shadows. Banks' narrator is the one in a bad place in _Chemistry_. But like Sumner, he tells his tale in straightforward, naturalistic lyrics. He remembers "those days in the sun" with a young love. This brings "a tear to his eye." Banks' usual predatory persona is nowhere to be seen.The narrator lays his life bare, but can't bring himself to describe every sordid detail. Banks sings evocatively of making "hallways scenes for things I regret". You are left to imagine the stormy comings and goings. The jittery, jangling guitar lines adds to his sense of fragility. The long death march of an intro doesn't bode well, either. The chorus however focuses on the innocence of the former love. This memory makes him want to break his habit, at least for one night. An effort that can be deemed almost heroic. Which allows those of us who have never been strung out on cocaine to sympathize. Even identify a little. After all Banks' narrator has brought forth his badness. Looked through the glass darkly until he’s seen a glimpse of light on the other side. Something we've all had to do in our blackest moments. Yes. He would have loved Paul Banks, old Frederich.