Interpol - Our Love to Admire
By Laura Cooper The process that transforms an indie rock band into an arena powerhouse is one of glory for its members- but may lead to confusion for their grassroots fans. Interpol’s new record, Our Love to Admire (Capitol, 2007), has begun to propel them into the realm of stardom, and seeing them live at Madison Square Garden, which has hosted the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel, just didn't seem right.. Interpol is currently on tour promoting Our Love to Admire, whose video for their single “The Heinrich Maneuver” made rotations on MTV, MTV2 and TRL. Big changes for an indie-rock band composed of five NYU graduates with a downcast hypnotic sound based around haunting guitar melodies. Our Love to Admire is a departure from the subtly catchy rock that surrounded the band’s critically acclaimed debut Turn on the Bright Lights (Matador, 2002) catchy rock tunes. Their latest album received mixed reviews, including a beating from Pitchfork, who rated it a 6.0. Banks who was quoted in SPIN Magazine as saying that Interpol was “ready for their Kid A,” in reference to Radiohead’s artistic breakthrough in 2000, where as Our Love to Admire lacks a stand out song, such as “Evil” on Antics (Matador, 2004). Their new record is clouded by songs that seem to be made for radio. Interpol took the stage after opening acts Liars and indie-folk veteran Cat Power struggled to entertain the half-full MSG crowd of screaming sixteen-year-old teenyboppers, suited businessmen and confused indie rock kids who would never admit they attended the concert. Even after Interpol took the stage behind a sheer white curtain and opened with “Pioneer to the Falls,” the crowd showed a severe lack of enthusiasm. The crowd remained dismal until the band played “C’mere” which sent the audience into a massive sing along. After returning to the stage for a two song encore, the band walked off stage, yet after a few minutes Kessler, lead guitarist, returned to play a few closing chords. Looking up at the indifferent crowd he smiled and waved graciously. Banks, the lead singer, looked calm and collected through the bands set, but would always look up to the empty seats, and people scattered among the middle tier of the venue, nervously - as if his secret was out. That secret, which was revealed in Interpol’s interview with Spin, is that the band formed for the money, and not for the music. Founding members Daniel Kessler and Greg Drudy formed the band because they knew their sound was somewhat different and marketable. Interpol had nothing to prove, but made it clear anyway that they are ready and willing for the mainstream, and though long time fans shun the group for their newly established fame, Our Love to Admire is definitely a record that will have Interpol reaching mainstream indie-rock stardom. |
i wished interpol would have said something about their goals to achieve "money" and "fame" when they released their first record. maybe their songs wouldn't have hit me so emotionally. or maybe their goals wouldn't have mattered because their songs from their first record are still bleeding with integrity and passion. who knows.
i concur. it must have been strange seeing interpol at such a large venue. to think that lonely chan marshall was on stage at madison square garden is so surreal.
rock on.
Esta Bueno.
Great job Laura, for a first published piece you really showed your skills. Congrats on the staff writer position too.