Delivering 'that difficult third album' with effortless ease.
'Our Love To Admire' is Interpol's successful attempt to produce 'that difficult third album', and difficult it is not in the least. The band's debut album 'Turn On The Bright Lights' received much critical acclaim upon its 2002 release as listeners were blown away by songs such as the anthemic 'Obstacle 1' and emotive ballads like 'The New' and 'Leif Erikson'. 'Antics' followed in 2004, with a sound not a million miles from the band's previous album but with a slightly more commercial edge, particularly apparent on single releases 'Slow Hands', 'Evil' and 'C'Mere'. 'Our Love To Admire' sounds like a combination of the band's previous two albums, seamlessly blending the wide appeal and catchiness of 'Antics' with the emotional depth and intricate musical arrangements of 'Turn On The Bright Lights'.
Many listeners will already be familiar with the upbeat, catchy and singalong-inviting 'The Heinrich Maneuver', but fans of 'Antics' may be surprised to hear that it stands almost alone in terms of style within 'Our Love To Admire'. 'Who Do You Think?' comes the closest and after a few listens geta under the skin and begin to catch, but initially it appears rather noisy and careless. 'Mammoth' has its fast, heavy moments in the style of TOTBL's 'Roland' but they are interspersed with slow laments about 'ancient pawn shops'; and the track's overall genre is arguably closer to industrial than indie rock.
'Our Love To Admire' comes into its own on slower tracks such as 'Pace Is The Trick', 'No I In Threesome' and 'Rest My Chemistry'. 'Pace Is The Trick' starts with a melancholic verse draped over riffing guitars before entering a bridge then chorus both richly layered with instruments. The build into these musically lavish sections isn't as subtle as in some of Interpol's previous work but it is effectively executed nonetheless. 'Rest My Chemistry' sees vocalist Paul Banks singing openly about drug use in a way that was hinted at in previous songs such as 'The Specialist' and immediately stands out as one of the albums most emotive and memorable tracks.
In its closing tracks 'Our Love To Admire' becomes reflective and almost experimental. 'Wrecking Ball' is a tale of aggressive love set against a backdrop of ghostly guitars deliberately arranged to produce a textured wall against which Paul's vocals can be elegantly set. 'Lighthouse' is reminiscent of some of the band's early work such as 'NYC', all quivering guitars and drawn out melodies. It wouldn't be fair to call it one of the album's strongest tracks, but fans will relish hearing another side to the band and perhaps a hint at their future direction.