Sauce

I have a friend who thinks every bit of music he hears sounds like Interpol, which might be because so many bands have begun emulating their sound. Whether or not you are a fan, you can’t deny the fact that these indie rockers are consistent. Ever since their debut LP, Turn On The Bright Lights, the band has gone from strength to strength. It would seem things can only continue to grow with the release of the superb Our Love To Admire.

The album opens with the moody, thriving and sombre, Pioneer To The Falls. The following track, No I In Threesome, is somewhat more upbeat, in the sense that it has more major chord changes. But beneath the surface is a sadness that is both infectious and beautiful.

The Heinrich Maneuver (sic) takes a rocking approach. Relying less on textures and atmospheric sounds, it is classic guitar-driven Interpol. The guitar tones themselves are brooding and thick with reverb. Never one to complicate things, vocalist Paul Banks keeps the chorus simple, repeating, “Today my heart swings” for most of the song’s duration.

The closing track, The Lighthouse reminds me of fellow New Yorkers, The Walkmen, with its surf guitars and lo-fi vocals. It turns the light out on the album with a slow fade, despite the late introduction of drums and bass. While the song provides a mellower counterpoint to the rest of the album it seems a little long-winded at five minutes.

All in all, Our Love To Admire is a brilliant record. The arrangements are thoughtful, the production rich, and the melodies are beautiful. Sadly, despite Europe and America being treated to shows, any Australian tour dates are unlikely to be announced this year. On the upside, that leaves plenty of time to get intimate with this album. Check it out.

TOM WHITTY