The Beat Surrender

First of all thanks to Kev for allowing me this regular feature which will basically be a massive self-indulgence fest as I try to interest you in things that I think are fantastic in music- and there are plenty believe me so I could be busy! This may on occasion be a particular band, an album, a gig, an era or movement or…well anything connected to the music industry and beyond really that I decide to wax lyrical about. And I really hope you like em- but remember its only ones persons view. So if I regale you with my belief that “Cotton Eye Joe” by the Rednecks is the greatest single of all time then who are you to tell me I am wrong. Don’t worry, I’m kidding!

My first foray of chat has to be a rambling diatribe about my favourite band. From a live review elsewhere on this website you may have ascertained I am a fan but Interpol are “My favourite band of all time” Tm. That is not a statement I take lightly and there have been many, many contenders over the years. I don’t want to go down cliché avenue and say I have been on a journey (staple comment of any successful reality TV star) with this band but its not been conventional tandom fandom for me and the ‘Pol over the years. I originally thought their songs were a bit samey and I once didn’t go to a gig I had tickets for in Manchester- the stains of blatant disgrace still mark me believe me.

But that was way back then and things have changed…big time. Interpol are now three albums into their career and for me each one is a classic in its own right. First offering “Turn On The Bright Lights” is a belter. Within the mix we have the maniacal “Obstacle 1” and sister track “Obstacle 2”, the ethereal and haunting “NYC” and the vastly underrated but beautifully melancholic enigma that is “Untitled”. But the jewels in the crown have to be “Stella” and “PDA”.

Listen to these and your musical landscapes should change forever, or at the very least shift two foot to the left. Stella tells a story of a very complicated and troubled lady and subsequent events that happen to her but shifts in pace numerous times to convey this tale memorably and PDA has perhaps my favourite last 90 seconds of a song ever with Paul Banks et al strumming for their lives with a rhythmic drum rolling underneath that builds to a joyous crescendo. Unsurpassable in my view and if you ever see them live watch how tight they are when performing this. Spot on, every time.

But it really doesn’t end there. Second album “Antics” was arguably the most well received of the three commercially- but frankly who cares about that. I wouldn’t suggest it has anymore mainstream appeal than its predecessor however it is equally as brilliant. So many stand out tracks including “Narc” and “Slow Hands” – with surreal lyrics such as “I watched a pole dance of the stars” or, “You make me wanna pick up a guitar, and celebrate the myriad ways that I love you” Lyrical poetry.

“Take a Cruise” and “C’Mere” are also rhythmically gorgeous and you cannot help but sing along to these songs once you have defined the lyrics of course. Banks’ Canadian brogue does make some of them indistinct at times but to be honest deciphering is all part of the fun!! And if you bother to read the lyrics or sleeve notes you won’t be disappointed either.

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