Interpol – “El Pintor”

Favorite tracks: “All the Rage Back Home,” “My Desire,” “Anywhere,” “My Blue Supreme”
For Fans Of: The National, Bloc Party, The Strokes, Arcade Fire

Interpol return after a four year hiatus with the cleverly named anagram “El Pintor.” This is their first album without bassist Carlos Dengar, with vocalist, guitarist and lead songwriter Paul Banks taking over bass duties for the album. “El Pintor” is an album that brings Interpol back to their roots and sound that made them famous like on their critically acclaimed debut “Turn on the Bright Lights.” Interpol doesn’t try to deviate from this sound or experiment outside of the boundaries they have laid for themselves. The songs generally include grooving drums, tight basslines, repetitive guitar melodies, and Paul Bank’s vocals floating on top if it all, the sound they have been known for since exploding on the scene in the early 2000’s. It’s a formula that works though, the songs are listenable and enjoyable the entire way through, and fans expecting anything less from them will not be disappointed. It’s a more polished version of the sound they always had, the departure of Carlos Dengar doesn’t have much of an effect on the overall sound, the basslines might not be as more prominent but Paul Banks still wrote lines that hold every song together. All though, the album doesn’t have the same hit and lasting appeal as their debut or “Antics,” it is still Interpol making music like Interpol. This is not a great comeback record with the band developing or changing their sound drastically, this is a band making enjoyable music and songs the way they always have been.

Score: 3/5

words_michael gardell. photo_pitchfork.com.