Interpol
O2 Academy, Birmingham
26/11/2010

Out of the dense smoke on stage, the opening guitar chimes of ‘Success’ emerge. “Dreams of long life / What safety can you find?” the icy tones of Paul Banks filling the air, while behind him the immaculate silhouette of Daniel Kessler tangos with its guitar. The aesthetic, perfectly set for watching Interpol; distant fleeting glimpses of the band amid thick fog, creating a ghostly mystique yet grappling your emotions with their chromatic goth-punk.

And for such a cold and calculated sounding band, they don’t half stir you into a quivering wreck. ‘Rest My Chemistry’ is a pressure ball of regret ready to implode with each snare hit. In fact, the intricacies of Sam Fogarino’s drum patterns are mini-symphonies in themselves, tailored to precisely lift and linger around Banks’ potent lyrical imagery. New addition Brandon Curtis, more than fills the huge bass-playing boots of Carlos D that were left after the waif four-stringer departed at the completion of current album ‘Interpol’. The ex-Secret Machine tackles the low-notes perfectly, nailing the melancholic delicacy that ‘The New’ requires, with the tune bathing the crowd in its tender romance.

The slow burning, yet ultimately rewarding, self-titled fourth album is given good opportunity to shine in between fan faves such as ‘C’mere’ and ‘Slow Hands’. ‘Lights’ builds to a euphoric rush that feels as if everything for the band has always been leading to this point creatively. Even without classics such as ‘Obstacle 1′, ‘NYC’ or ‘Pioneer To The Fall’, that are sadly left out tonight, Interpol show just how heavyweight they are tonight. Incredible.

Andy Roberts