I don't know what
it is about Paul Banks' voice. When he sings "I haven't slept for two
days/I've bathed in nothing but sweat" on "Rest My Chemistry," I
believe him. And that's what makes Interpol such a consistently
engaging group. They may not be lyrical wunderkinds and their three
records might, on some level, sound kind of the same, but Banks is a
powerful figure in contemporary rock because he's so sincere. He's also
more confident and adventurous than ever on
Our Love To Admire. Opener
"Pioneer To The Falls" features a superb breakdown that has the
frontman singing a cappella. On "Mammoth," he tackles falsetto for the
first time, giving the track a deceptive fragility before his register
drops and the band take off. Daniel Kessler, Carlos D and Sam Fogarino
aren't just along for the ride — they're all sharing the wheel and
driving at dangerous speeds. The move to feature keys only adds to the
group's carefully crafted sonic wallop. Throw in classic single "The
Heinrich Maneuver," and Interpol have proven once again that it's a
great idea to disappear completely — at least for a little while.
Get it from
Sure Banks' is sincere, but Interpol's music is so extraordinarly banal that no singer, no matter how genuine, could redeem them.
I don't like being bored; therefore, I don't listen to Interpol.