Monday, September 22, 2014

"All the rage back home."

"I'll bring you when my lifeboat sails through the night.
  That is supposing that you don't sleep tonight."- 
                    Interpol- song "Leif Erikson" from Turn On the Bright Lights
                                                                   lyrics by Paul Banks



     This week's Top Ten albums includes New York City's own Interpol.  Their latest release El Pintor (Matador Records) continues to rise since its debut earlier in September, now at number "7" on the Billboard charts. Owning all of Interpol's previous albums and having seen them perform live, I was excited about the launch of  El Pintor. Similar to previous CD's such as "Turn On the Bright Lights, "Antics" and "Our Love to Admire", the more you listen to an Interpol composition the more you uncover a previously neglected melodic mystery or peel back an insightful lyrical layer. Sam Fogarino continues to be one of the best drummers in indie rock. Guitarist, Daniel Kessler magically creates his powerful haunting riffs. Guitarist, lyricist and vocalist Paul Banks mesmerizes at the helm, offering us his eerie yet alluring charisma.

     Critics agree that the premiere track from El Pintor titled "All the Rage Back Home" is the most memorable offering. The brooding "My Blue Supreme" and the driving "Ancient Ways" may soon follow.  The Spanish word "pintor" can be interpreted as painter, decorator or pavement artist which one should keep in mind when transforming this evocative auditory canvas into alternative shades of harmony and reverberation. "Tidal Wave" washes over us with a masterful rhythm. Paul Banks nautical infused lyrical references have beguiled many Interpol fans from "Leif Erikson" to "Take You On a Cruise" and on a current track "Anywhere"-  "the ocean I could go anywhere. I could go anywhere. So free, its my nature to want." Lovers of Interpol will want this emotive sound wave too.

Billboard Top Ten ending the week of September 27th:

10. Lullaby And...The Ceaseless Roar-  Robert Plant
 9. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Volume 1. Soundtrack
 8. Where It's At - Dustin Lynch
 7. El Pintor -Interpol
 6. Seen It All-The Autobiography - Jeezy
 5. I Don't Dance - Lee Brice
 4. Ryan Adams- Ryan Adams
 3. Souled Out - Jhene Aiko
 2. V- Maroon Five
 1. Anomaly - Lecrae