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Live Review
by SashaS
15-9-2004
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| Interpol and art of smoking and singing |
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Live: Interpol
Scala, London
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Interpol - stylish previewing sophomore LP
The Empire-building [in its own likeness] United States of America have been inflicting the world with a couple of globally recognisable contributions in the shape of brands such as Coca Cola and McDonalds. But, wait a minute - what about Rock’n’Roll? The Yanks’ contribution to the world culture [aside the dreaded blockbusters] is often overlooked despite the country producing some enduring and relevant artists, from Elvis to Velvet Underground, from Otis Redding to Captain Beefheart, from Vanilla Fudge to Prince…
Interpol could be the next rulers of the world - and it is somewhat surprising their main influences are British. But, as in the wisdom - the grass is greener at the Jones’s, the band’s inspirational pool are the bands of the New Wave era [turn of the 1980s] and, it appears, mainly The Cure, the band just supported across the States. Still, this is not a copy, more like a lateral take with further Euro reference points.
Such as the band’s dress sense, all sharp suits and ties, generally black - aside the guitarist’s white shirt. There is something Krautrock-ish about their image, with the bassist Carlos D unnervingly sporting some Nazi-like finery with a matching, severely gelled haircut. Alas, such attire doesn’t allow for much physical action on stage and that may be the only weak point in their quality set-up.
The show is somewhat detached, there is not much show on offer - apart the aforementioned bassie who moved like a man whose low-slung instrument needed some action of its own - because the songs are the focus here. Fronted by Paul Banks, a pin-up of some potential, delivered songs from the debut album, ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’, as well as the new material from end-of-September due ‘Antics’, without saying much but to thank us for vociferous appreciation.
New tracks, such as ‘Evil’ [powerfully driven by a brooding bass line and chucking guitar motifs] and the new single, ‘Slow Hands’, building slowly to the climaxing chorus, effortlessly joining the cuts from the debut disc, the poppy ‘Say Hello to the Angels’ and beautylicious ballad ‘NYC’, recently covered by REM. Another newie, ‘Not Even Jail’, bridges the maiden LP with the creepy austerity and detachment of two years ago but with greater warmth and emotional range.
With The Strokes in a creative limbo [a live album after just two long-playing records?!] Interpol should be handed over the NYC indie-crown. Whether they’ll translate it into the world domination is up to the band’s label strategy. For now - a prime-cult outfit we love!
The set-list:
‘Obstacle 1’
‘Evil’
‘NYC’
‘Slow Hands’
‘Length Of Love’
‘Say Hello To The Angels’
‘C’mere’
‘Narc’
‘Leif Erikson’
‘PDA’
‘Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down’
‘Roland’
SashaS
15-9-2004
Interpol’s single ’Slow Hands’ has been released on 13 September by Matador/Capitol
Interpol’s album ‘Antics’ is released 27 September by Matador/Capitol
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