CD of The Week

Interpol - Marauder (Matador)

Marauder is album number six from Interpol, the native NYC band that blossomed from the indie, post-punk sound of the early 2000s. Like contemporaries Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Strokes, Interpol wore their early 80s influences on their sleeves. Joy Division is the band they are most compared to, but those shackles are tossed aside for this Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev) produced album. Also tossed aside are the overdubs and stylized production notes; Fridmann recorded straight to tape and their raw, gritty grind is captured in all its glory.

Though the album starts off with two satisfying indie rock radio friendly hits 'If You Really Love Nothing' and 'The Rover,' the real meat of the album comes later when lead singer Paul Banks challenges a lover to check back into reality during 'Flights of Fancy.' On 'Stay in Touch' he opines that the album's namesake Marauder may not be headed for their presumed destination. 'NYSMAW' slyly pays homage to both Prince and Bowie while seeking to compartmentalize his feelings for someone who knows him better.

Musically Interpol does not venture too far from their signature sound; the chiming guitars and chugging drums remain steadfast, and the lack of organ is a subtle reminder of the depth of their past. However, with Banks on bass, Daniel Keesler on guitars, and Sam Fogarino on drums, they crank out some of their finest jams and the album is punctuated by two instrumentals that leave me longing for more; while I love the lighting in a bottle aesthetic, I bet they could make a damn fine ambient record.

Marauder closes with one of their finest tracks in some time. 'It Probably Matters' leaves us with Banks' contemplating the last twenty years; or is he merely pondering a failed relationship wrought with guilt and shame? Surely their first 5 albums are not something to look upon as an afterthought. Interpol are ever evolving and satisfyingly consistent. They definitely matter.

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Review by Dave Lindquist