Artist bio

New York City’s Interpol are a throwback to the times when bands weren’t on magazine covers after their fifth gig, back when the hyperbolic English hype machine didn’t go ballistic over a band who had released a grand total of three songs.

Albums by this artist

Antics (2004)

Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)

Precipitate (2001)

Interpol

Precipitate

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

Interpol Precipitate Self Released, 2001 RiYL: Joy Division, The Chameleons

New York City's Interpol has acquired quite the following of hip downtown types through live performances of their sine wave-inspired guitar rock arrangements. Lead singer Paul Banks sounds strikingly like the late Ian Curtis and the band's ability to blend dark moods with catchy, often shimmering hooks has led to numerous other comparisons with Curtis's band Joy Division.

The Precipitate EP is Interpol's first stateside release and the disc's four tracks blend together to form an urban song cycle worthy of Lou Reed's record collection. The instrumental formula and Banks' deadpan vocals don't vary much in terms of tempo or disposition. But the men of Interpol seem to understand how to effectively manipulate the formula so it takes on a fresh form with each new track. "PDA" proves the catchiest with its syncopated snare beat and ever-climaxing guitar strumming forming an asymptotic backdrop for lyrical reflections like, "You are the only person / who's completely certain / there is nothing here to be into." Worth checking out if you are one the people who Interpol's lyrics describe or just wish you were.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.