INTERPOL: The Other Side Of Make-believe (ALTERNATIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Would Interpol be the most overestimated band of the alternative rock landscape (post punk for the purists)? Since "Turn On the Bright Lights" released in 2002 and "Antics" two years later, Interpol benefits from a rather surprising benevolence from the critics and the fans while they produce albums without any particular flavor. Last one, "Marauder", which did not shine neither by its melodic qualities, nor by its inspiration. Will "The Other Side Of Make-Believe" allow Interpol to silence their detractors and confirm a potential glimpsed many years before and which was never really confirmed?

It is likely that once again, the band will satisfy the unconditional fans of the first hour and impress some young influential ears. The reason is simple, Interpol doesn't change, finding the same guitar tones, the same limited vocal lines, the same binary and haunting rhythms and atmospheres as dark as ever.

As we know, Interpol is not known for its joy of living nor for its melodic side but except for the single 'Toni' which is rather pleasant with its few piano notes and 'Something Changed' which also stands out with its pure piano lines and its soft spleen, there is not much to enjoy listening.

Indeed, the majority of the tracks follow one another and sound the same. The play and the sound of the guitars of 'Fables' are similar to those of the following track 'Into The Night' which also remind those of 'Mr. Credit'. The bass has the annoying tendency to asphyxiate compositions which already had a hard time to get out of a dry and muffled production and a drumming lacking really nuances and proposing frankly sad plans. The vocals are true to themselves and bring little relief to the already melodically and technically poor tracks.

Unless you are a great fan of depressing mid-tempo compositions, listening to "The Other Side Of Make-Believe" in one go will remain a trial for many. Especially since some tracks such as 'Greenwich' or 'Big Shot City' go even further in the concept of the auditive discomfort and the bearable. Does the music always have to be pleasant and melodic to hear? For Interpol, this is clearly a NO. This might not be a problem if one could, as in the early days of the band, get some positive aspects out of this compact and uncluttered set. Unfortunately, this is not the case this time. - Official website

INTERPOL

THE OTHER SIDE OF MAKE-BELIEVE

MATADOR

ALTERNATIVE ROCK