Interpol
Antics

Sunday, September 26, 2004, 5:20 PM, lost in the underpass of Santa Maria Novella station in Florence, I wander like a restless soul that has temporarily lost part of itself, but I know that unfortunately, in this underpass, I won’t be able to find it, so wrapped in my desolation, I dive into the little record shop that I've used for years during those 15-minute intervals waiting for a connection.
Tired of reading conflicting opinions about the new Interpol album, I decide to buy it without worrying about what awaits me; who cares—I’ve done it thousands of times before, so why not; but this time, I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed. I've always been fascinated by controversial works, the ones you hear both good and bad things about at the same time, the ones that might be misunderstood masterpieces by those who, like myself, with a never-satisfied attitude, always expect to have the work of the century in their hands and factually remain with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Antics (buffoonery!?) opens with "Next Exit," a track with a slow and sad mood but with a melody more suited for a closing episode than an inauguration. Banks and Co. indeed try to warn the pagan listener that perhaps there is a glimmer of light, but it has to be searched for and it's not easy. The following "Evil" inaugurates the succession of tracks that represent the core of the entire work; nervous, haunting, and perhaps one of the best pieces. It continues with "Narc," already widely introduced in their live shows, then slides into "Take You On A Cruise" and "Slow Hands," absolute gems that convey strong sensations, almost a warning for those who thought Interpol had already burnt out with their first work; you were greatly mistaken!
"This album is everything 'Turn On The Bright Lights' would have been if we had the experience we have today," holy words from P.Banks. Much better played and produced than the first, perhaps less immediate but a notch above.

I go back: I leave the underpass, take the train, share for a moment with my missing part of the soul the purchase to share its joy and curiosity, I unwrap it and ask myself "how will it be”? I would gladly take that journey in the underpass again because it made me dream and continues to do so every time I press the Play button on my player.
For me, it would be a great 5, but I promised myself not to give the highest grades anymore, it doesn't make sense to overpraise an album you liked so much, it inadvertently reduces it.

"...are you ready to be heartbroken?"