This is probably the last review I'll be doing. I can't fucking do track by track with every album.
Here's what I wrote, if you're interested:
Turn on the Bright Lights is the debut studio album by the indie rock, or post punk revival band Interpol. Released in mid-2002, the New York band would play a big role in a massive revival of the post punk bands from the late 70’s and early 80’s. By the older fans of the original genre, they would quickly dismiss the band and the album as a rip off from their influences, such as Joy Division or The Chameleons.
Bar comparisons, the album is generally slow and moody. The guitar playing on each track is pretty similar to either the next or previous one, but it doesn’t detract from the overall sound of the album.
Track by Track Analysis:
Untitled is the first track on the song. The song starts off with a quick piano, before the drums kick in. Lyrics are very simple, but have a very clear message. It keeps the same beat through the song; after the half point the guitar kicks in. The song slowly fades out. Great opener. 8/10
Obstacle 1 was the hit song on the album. Typical post punk style of music here, but Paul Banks makes it sound even more depressing. Lyrics also are consistent through the album: relationships. 8.5/10
NYC is one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever heard. The guitar starts in the background, and is brought to the forefront halfway through the song. I’ve never bothered to interpret the lyrics, if you ever listen to this, do it yourself. Again, the guitar is great. 10/10
PDA starts off with a great beat. Once again, the song itself isn’t so sad, but vocals make it so. Not sure what ‘PDA’ has to do with the song or the lyrics. It is explained the band has two hundred couches where you can sleep. 8.5/10
Say Hello To The Angels is my favourite on the album. The lyrics are great; one big innuendo. Drums really stand out on this one, as the end of the song drifts away from the same style of guitar on earlier tracks. 10/10
Hands Away is another sad one. Similar to Untitled, except sounding a bit more open and ‘airy’. As well, there is no piano. Once again, lyrics are fairly simple but can have a big meaning. 8/10
Obstacle 2 is not a whole like the first one. Again, the lyrics are about a relationship. It’s also one of the happier songs on the album, but necessarily ‘happy’. 7.5/10
At almost six and a half minutes, Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down is the longest song on the album. Oddly, this song is about being in love with a diver named Stella who was depressed. This is one of the only songs on the album where the guitar has a riff, and does not just keep a beat. 7/10
Roland is one of the faster songs on the album. Lyrics talk about a Polish butcher who liked to carry knifes around. Or something. Good change around 2:40. 7.5/10
The New starts off slow, and eventually speeds up. Lyrics are again about relationships, or a troubled relationship. At the halfway point, suddenly the greatest riff on the album comes as if from nowhere. 8/10
Leif Erikson is a good closer. Lyrics are again about a troubled relationship, but are a little more obvious than previous tracks. Vocals once again make the song sound a lot more depressing than it should. 7.5/10
:/
Here's what I wrote, if you're interested:
Turn on the Bright Lights is the debut studio album by the indie rock, or post punk revival band Interpol. Released in mid-2002, the New York band would play a big role in a massive revival of the post punk bands from the late 70’s and early 80’s. By the older fans of the original genre, they would quickly dismiss the band and the album as a rip off from their influences, such as Joy Division or The Chameleons.
Bar comparisons, the album is generally slow and moody. The guitar playing on each track is pretty similar to either the next or previous one, but it doesn’t detract from the overall sound of the album.
Track by Track Analysis:
Untitled is the first track on the song. The song starts off with a quick piano, before the drums kick in. Lyrics are very simple, but have a very clear message. It keeps the same beat through the song; after the half point the guitar kicks in. The song slowly fades out. Great opener. 8/10
Obstacle 1 was the hit song on the album. Typical post punk style of music here, but Paul Banks makes it sound even more depressing. Lyrics also are consistent through the album: relationships. 8.5/10
NYC is one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever heard. The guitar starts in the background, and is brought to the forefront halfway through the song. I’ve never bothered to interpret the lyrics, if you ever listen to this, do it yourself. Again, the guitar is great. 10/10
PDA starts off with a great beat. Once again, the song itself isn’t so sad, but vocals make it so. Not sure what ‘PDA’ has to do with the song or the lyrics. It is explained the band has two hundred couches where you can sleep. 8.5/10
Say Hello To The Angels is my favourite on the album. The lyrics are great; one big innuendo. Drums really stand out on this one, as the end of the song drifts away from the same style of guitar on earlier tracks. 10/10
Hands Away is another sad one. Similar to Untitled, except sounding a bit more open and ‘airy’. As well, there is no piano. Once again, lyrics are fairly simple but can have a big meaning. 8/10
Obstacle 2 is not a whole like the first one. Again, the lyrics are about a relationship. It’s also one of the happier songs on the album, but necessarily ‘happy’. 7.5/10
At almost six and a half minutes, Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down is the longest song on the album. Oddly, this song is about being in love with a diver named Stella who was depressed. This is one of the only songs on the album where the guitar has a riff, and does not just keep a beat. 7/10
Roland is one of the faster songs on the album. Lyrics talk about a Polish butcher who liked to carry knifes around. Or something. Good change around 2:40. 7.5/10
The New starts off slow, and eventually speeds up. Lyrics are again about relationships, or a troubled relationship. At the halfway point, suddenly the greatest riff on the album comes as if from nowhere. 8/10
Leif Erikson is a good closer. Lyrics are again about a troubled relationship, but are a little more obvious than previous tracks. Vocals once again make the song sound a lot more depressing than it should. 7.5/10
:/
