Blue Plate Special: Interpol

Interpol is an American rock band formed in 1997 in New York City. The band’s original lineup consisted of Paul Banks (vocals, rhythm guitar), Daniel Kessler (lead guitar, vocals), Carlos Dengler (bass guitar, keyboards) and Greg Drudy (drums, percussion), who was replaced by Sam Fogarino in 2000.

Interpol gained significant recognition for their debut album “Turn on the Bright Lights” (2002), which was hailed as a standout within the indie rock genre. Its atmospheric sound, heavily influenced by post-punk bands, and Banks’ distinct baritone vocals quickly drew comparisons to bands such as Joy Division and The Chameleons.

The band followed this up with “Antics” (2004), which, while maintaining their signature sound, showcased a more accessible and melodic approach. Their subsequent albums, “Our Love to Admire” (2007), “Interpol” (2010), “El Pintor” (2014), and “Marauder” (2018) were met with varying degrees of commercial and critical success, demonstrating the band’s continuous evolution and resilience. In 2010, bassist Carlos Dengler left the band, with Banks taking bass duties and the band now performing as a trio. Their latest album “The Other Side of Make Believe” was released in 2022.

Lead singer Paul Banks launched his solo career under the pseudonym Julian Plenti, releasing an EP “Julian Plenti is… Skyscraper” in 2009. His work as Julian Plenti showcased a more experimental side, featuring elements of electronic music, folk, and orchestral arrangements, diverging somewhat from the sound of Interpol. Banks released his second solo album, “Banks” (2012), under his own name, featuring a sound more akin to his work with Interpol but still leaning on the diverse musical influences seen in his solo debut.

Here are some of my favorites from their catalog:

Slow Hands – from the album Antics (2004)

 

The Heinrich Maneuver – from the album Our Love to Admire (2007)

 

Lights – from the album Interpol (2010)

 

Games for Days – from the solo album Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper (2009)

 

Evil – from the album Antics (2004)

 

Obstacle 1 – from the album Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)

 

The Rover – from the album Marauder (2018)