Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights
Matador
August 20th, 2002.
The 20th Anniversary of one of the finest records ever released occurs today. Sitting atop of the pyramid of the music world is a record of sullen depth. Dragging you down in their lumbered state, the Interpol collective sing out like sirens on the shore. New York City Sirens. Turn on the Bright Lights is an album of special, clinical quality. Some of the biggest acts of the 2000's would turn to this record for inspiration in subsequent years.
The grooves found on this record ain't nothing to mess with. They'll seduce you. Use you. Abuse you. Confuse you. At the end of the day they'll give back more than they take. It's a worthy trade off. Few albums manage to re-invent groove itself. Pulling back the layers on what we thought we knew about rhythm, Turn on the Bright Lights sets the standard for modern day etiquette. Dark, damning Despair. TOtBL encapsulates what made the advent of rock n' roll so significant, and brings it into the 21st Century. A fresh start. Refreshing contemporary ears as to how it's done in the process. No bells. No whistles. Solid song structures and a thematic performance being enough to tie everything in to one fully fleshed out project.
Born out of denial and disappointment it sets New York apart from it's fellow music cities. It deals in dreams. Often swallowing them alive. Leaky roofs, damp walls, lived-on couches and soaking wet carpets comfort those born from misshapen roots. Their seeds drain the earth of all it has to give. The scent of half sunken cigarettes sticks to the psyche in more ways than one. It hovers around for an eternity like low hanging fruit. Reminders of days gone by linger and lactate from vines of desperation. The drudgery of every day existence can't be skipped - fast forward brings you straight back to square one.
Albums akin to this don't offer themselves up everyday. Certain head spaces and views of life are needed to align with the necessary process. Interpol caught its essence and turned it up to 11, producing a one of a kind experience along the way.
