Episode 93 - Turn on the Bright Lights by Interpol

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If there’s one thing you can rely on when it comes to alternative music podcasts is that at some point they will inevitably cover Interpol. There will be some (usually straight, white) men in a room somewhere, huddled round their microphones, discussing the clever intricacies of their music, waxing lyrical about their coolness, and producing a well rounded chat on their influential status.

We do some of that here too. Chris believes that this is not only their best work, but that it is one of the most important indie rock albums of the century. The aloofness, the distant nature of the band, their calculated, oddly catchy, interesting, dynamic music is something that he, and their legions of fans, utterly adore. It’s an argument well made about a band who were almost unquestionably one of the most interesting acts to come out of that early 00s NYC, Joy Division/New Order inspired indie scene that spawned, and still spawns, a myriad of imitators.

One thing we learned from this episode is that fans of Interpol tend to agree with the idea that they are an important band. But as we also learned, your mileage will inevitably vary given how much you enjoy indie generally.

The band left a dent, that much cannot be denied. They exploded into alternative music consciousness with this record, and their profile has only increased in the time since. They are by no means an Unsung band, but this record may very well be their music Unsung collection. Is it worth of a place in our discography? That is, as ever, for you to decide.