Interpol
El Pintor

"They're gone..." someone said after Interpol's fourth album. And who could blame them? It seemed they had left behind a glorious career for an album that was unoriginal, even less imaginative, and, above all, BORING. Today, Paul Banks and company, even without a bassist (yes, because in this album Paul Banks took on the task of playing Carlos Dengler's instrument too), are back again with their fifth work, El Pintor, a return to the roots that in some ways recalls Turn On The Bright Lights and in others, the previous Interpol, albeit with unusual bursts of creativity. The opening "All The Rage Back Home" already shows the band's intentions, which, to be fair, have never been too angry. "My Desire" vaguely reminds of "Memory Serves", but again here, imagination prevails. "Anywhere" was one of the first songs from the album played live and thoroughly convinces even in the CD version. To slow things down a bit, Banks decides to focus on the calm and soothing atmospheres of the beautiful "Same Town, New Story". But the pace soon picks up again with "My Blue Supreme", not an exceptional piece but still pleasing to listen to. The flashes of creativity come mostly in the second half of the album: "Everything Is Wrong" has nothing wrong (musically speaking) and manages to capture attention from the first listen. "Breaker 1" is a song that revisits the atmospheres of "Safe Without" but with more class and decisiveness. Noteworthy is the end of the track featuring a piece from the major mafia trial ("never had bad luck, dear God, and if you'll allow me I don’t use the terms, I, of victimization and persecution, which I know you don’t like"). "Ancient Ways," the second single from the album, is not only rich with "f**k" but also with drums and guitars. But after a series of tracks not seen since the Antics days, Interpol aims for the best in the finale with two of the most spectacular songs they've ever created. The standout track of the album is indeed "Tidal Wave", where finally Banks' bass manages to emerge, albeit with the help of synths at the end. "Twice As Hard", which also had a video released, calms things down and closes the album hinting at the best for the future. The only downside of the album: the bass is heard too little! I hope you'll take my advice and give at least one listen to this splendid album... it’s really worth it...