There’s a timeless factor about Turn On the Bright Lights, Interpol‘s seminal first album, which makes it fantastic to think it just passed its 10-year anniversary. Bright Lights is as fresh as the day it appeared, an ageless wonder of sound and meaning.
The same cannot be said about the band which made it, as Interpol’s subsequent albums lessened in pertinence, coming to a crushing thud with 2010′s self-titled mess. It is with some optimism then that lead singer Paul Banks (he of moody baritone and dour lyrics) rises from the muddle with his own self-titled release which, while showing some age, provides several songs of lasting relevance.
This is not Banks’ first solo rodeo, as 2009′s effort under the pen name Julian Plenti proved he had some independent chops. But Banks trumps Plenti with its surprising variations — experimental instrumentals aside gentle choruses, dance beats amid acoustic strums — while adding a pair of Interpol-like tunes which harken the band’s hardier days.
“The Base” sets the pace from the outset — Banks’ reliable monotone meanders through a background of simple percussion and lilting guitar before giving way to a disco-space groove near song’s end. Unexpected, never boring. “Over My Shoulder” is more straightforward, the drums reminiscent of Sam Fogarino’s cadence, but Banks’ voice soars in an unusual manner. “Arise, Awake” has Banks in a playful mood, strings and frantic electronic beats over taped material underneath. Weird, and a little bit of wonderful.
“I’ll Sue You” and “Summertime Is Coming” satisfy that Interpol urge missing since 2007′s Our Love to Admire, but “Another Chance” goes way off the reservation with a spoken-word, early Cure meets early M83 amalgamation with lyrics to validate its oddness. “I have a neurological condition, don’t you get that?/ There’s something wrong with my brain.” I hate to admit how much I like it.
I am an unabashed Interpol fan who believes Carlos D’s departure took away the band’s mojo, but Banks shows a swagger remains in its lead singer. Whether or not he chooses to bring his brio back to the band is uncertain, but it’s encouraging to know he can summon it with promising results.
