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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
This record is no fun at all, the tension is rarely resolved, and -- oh no! -- it isn't exactly revolutionary, though some new shades of gray have been discovered. But you shouldn't allow your perception to be fogged by such considerations when someone has just done it for you and, most importantly, when all this brilliance is waiting to overwhelm you.
10y
100
It's style, sleek feel, and excellent execution creates an album full of emotion, despite emotionless vocals. The debut from Interpol is 50 minutes of consistently solid, sometimes fantastic, sometimes breathtaking genius work.
95
Turn On the Bright Lights has been one of the most strikingly passionate records I've heard this year. That other people I've spoken with have the opportunity to experience it, and that they feel similarly about it, can only be a good thing.
10y
91
On their debut LP, Interpol mix the propulsive sonic backgrounds and emotional swells of early-’80s post-punk with unexpected bursts of melody and their own brand of wit to create one of the most exciting new sounds of the year.
90
As a debut full-length, the group is definitely doing some excellent stuff, but like any band that gets swept up by the hype machine, you may be disappointed if you expect too much.
10y
90
Interpol have emerged at time when reinventing the past is the new “it” thing. They take that 80s melodic, post-punk sound and make it feel renewed rather then rehashed.
80
Through all those years of bad irony and blank angst, The Dark’s vital signs have kept strong. With ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’, Interpol interpret them perfectly for these new and exciting times.
10y
80
This is cold soul, post-punk mope-rock at its absolute best, and Turn On The Bright Lights is a nearly flawless and consistently impressive debut.
60
Interpol’s sleek, melancholy sound is a thing of glacial beauty.
One of the most depressing albums I’ve ever listened to. Why did people want me to react to something like this?
one bookstore trip, i saw a mysterious album cover. the design had a haunting red with a contrasting black; a black so bitter that the objects in the picture became unrecognizable. this album changed how i view music overall.
it opened with “untitled” as crashing guitars ensued, and background ambiance immediately filled. i continued to listen, awestruck, for 49 minutes. interpol perfected a revival whose representation was previously the strokes
it opened with “untitled” as crashing guitars ensued, and background ambiance immediately filled. i continued to listen, awestruck, for 49 minutes. interpol perfected a revival whose representation was previously the strokes
This album... it's just freaking great! Paul Banks has some brilliantly cryptic lyrics up his sleeve and the instrumentation and production are absolutely amazing! While it doesn't do anything revolutionary, "Is This It" did a similar thing before this, "Turn On The Bright Lights" is just as seminal and it deserves its own place in the indie/post-punk history books!
Fav Tracks: Leif Erickson, Obstacle 1, NYC, Stella was a diver and she was always down, PDA, Say Hello to the ... read more
Fav Tracks: Leif Erickson, Obstacle 1, NYC, Stella was a diver and she was always down, PDA, Say Hello to the ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Untitled 3:56 | 92 |
| 2 | Obstacle 1 4:11 | 96 |
| 3 | NYC 4:19 | 93 |
| 4 | PDA 4:59 | 94 |
| 5 | Say Hello to the Angels 4:28 | 90 |
| 6 | Hands Away 3:05 | 89 |
| 7 | Obstacle 2 3:47 | 91 |
| 8 | Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down 6:27 | 94 |
| 9 | Roland 3:35 | 90 |
| 10 | The New 6:07 | 94 |
| 11 | Leif Erikson 4:00 | 90 |
Total Length: 48 minutes
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