[fold your hands...]

It's been a while since I've browsed the forum, but it occurred to me...

Anyone else amused (disappointed?) by how little actual content this band has produced in their 10+ years of existence? Four proper albums with 42 proper songs, only a hand full of B-sides, and some lame remixes of album tracks. It just seems a bit pitiful in hindsight. There are so many bands these days who are constantly working and producing material even between albums, playing new songs on tour that don't surface on a proper album, collaborating with other artists, and contributing exclusive songs to soundtracks and/or charity comps, so when you compare it to what little Interpol has created as a band, it doesn't surprise me anymore that these guys have creatively stagnated. In terms of actual productivity, Interpol just seems relatively lazy. How would they be able to move forward with their sound if everything they write ends up on an album?

I'm pretty disenchanted with these guys after the last record, so my perception is definitely colored by that feeling. As an example, Kazu Makino (of Blonde Redhead fame and a friend of the band) curated a charity comp this year, and Interpol was asked to contribute a song. The contribution? Effing "Song Seven," a decade-old song that last appeared on one of the Antics singles. It's just, ugh, would it be difficult to contribute something recent? They are just so frustrating as a band that I'm even scared to listen to the debut these days.

[hazey jane]

Yeah, they're lazy. But the music is great, so I couldn't care less if they released 10 albums in 10 years or just 4.

[Nine]

I think it's part of the band. Very minimal but very effective. I just can't see them really collaborating with any specific musician outside of their own solo projects and production (e.g. no Interpol feat. [Insert name here] kind of songs). It just doesn't fit into the "Interpol" schema.

[obstaclespecialist]

hazey jane, on 02 June 2012 - 07:15 PM, said:

Yeah, they're lazy. But the music is great, so I couldn't care less if they released 10 albums in 10 years or just 4.

Yes, Interpol don't release mass-produced pop crap. I actually can't think of a more solid discography for the past decade. EVERY SINGLE FUCKING SONG is a winner. And their setlists are always impressive.

[WillieT]

I love most of what they have done, including most of the 4th album (Minus Always Malaise). I do think they need to be braver and experiment with new songs more often on tour. The crowd will love it, and it will give the shows a sense of fresh air.

[Doo (type 2)]

Some musicians an artists have more creative flow and output than others. If Interpol forced themselves to write more than they want to, or more than they need too it might effect the quality and sound of Interpol.

I think they have lots and lots of songs in the past unused, but they only process and release the very best, which is what I admire about Interpol. They are extremely controlled when it comes to their musical releases. No crap or fillers.

They have featured on lots of compilations and charity releases, and as for remixes I don't think the band suit it. I do like the Remix EP though.

Also as we know Interpol don't do covers.



I think Interpol have done enough in the past 14 years, everything they have released has been perfect.

[jsundheim]

Releasing 4 near-perfect albums and putting on great live shows is good enough for me. Be grateful for what you get!

[DesolationAngel]

One reason might be that they don't have only one creative mind, who brings in musical ideas and lyrics, who is the driving force. So they had and have to coordinate everything. All or most of the other bands I love have one creative mind, who clearly is the center and main talent and who sets direction. So Interpol's concept of songwriting could be problematic in this respect... On the other hand, Paul's been productive solo, so they are not that lazy as individuals. ;)

I would love to see them collaborate or do covers. I have contemplated on things like that recently as well. But so far, I am not really disappointed, just a bit more reflective about the band as a whole. I liked their latest record, and they seemed more relaxed and open minded as people than before. It is true to me, they created their own kind of microcosm, which is not one to prosper from interaction (? sounds a bit strange, but is difficult how to put it).
If I look into the future, I am really glad Carlos is gone. His staying would have been a cause or threat of stagnation, I guess, because he had given what he could and something is now over. There is new potential for the band without him, they surely have to change because one member, one part of their "identity" is gone. That's what makes me curious for their new material. I welcome change but I want to really hear it! That would be kind of natural. And it will be, for the better or worse...

[havenmoon]

hazey jane, on 02 June 2012 - 06:15 PM, said:

Yeah, they're lazy. But the music is great, so I couldn't care less if they released 10 albums in 10 years or just 4.

4 amazing albums true, when some bands put out junk just to stay out there.
However, I do think they take a lot of time off. Granted their touring is long but hey, most of us work just as much and don't get to take a year or more off. :P Just sayin.
Yes, I know they have solo work, except Daniel I suppose. Anywho...
Such is the life of an artist, more power to them. ;) Sucks for us though, looonng time to wait.

[EtoileMaris]

I was going to quote right about every reply to this thread so I stopped where I did.

But to Obspecialist's point, their entire song catalog is effin' awesome. There are songs I don't love as much, but there are others that still send me shivers down my spine. They are ageless, timeless, wonderfully crafted songs. There's so much care and thought put in each piece that even those I don't like, I respect them.

After listening to all four albums, I'd have to say that my favs are the first and third album. But that shifts with time too. Ask me again in a year, maybe I'll have another favorite.

They could decide to just say "fuck that" and stop. If they did, I'd be heart broken but I understand.

I think all the remaining members get something out of Interpol that they can't get anywhere else. That is likely why they are so deliberate and careful in their craft.

[visualinfidelity]

I've never really had a problem with the amount of material they put out. Would I like more? yeah sure. But Interpol seems to make all the right moves and I literally enjoy every single thing they do, which I can't say about any other band. I think they are very mindful in the way they work so if they're good with it, so am I. I actually like the breaks between the albums, it gives me a chance to fully absorb the previous work and anticipate the new material.

[Nine]

I dunno guys, I like the small catalog to an extent...but to say it's all great isn't really fair. We're all fans, so we're even prone to begrudgingly like anything with Paul's voice on it practically. There's many artists that have huge catalogs over short times and unreleased stuff that I'd say is all phenomenal, too. I think it's easy to kind of fall into that line of thinking as a fan.

[fold your hands...]

That's great that there are a lot of people here who still love the band and what they put out, however meager it may be. I just can't shake the feeling that, now, these guys get together every three years, produce ten mediocre songs, and then play perfect recreations of the album version of those songs on a tour for a year. They've been doing that since 2007. It wouldn't make me so sad if Interpol didn't mean a lot to me eight years ago, but it does now. I would agree that a small catalogue doesn't matter if all of the material is great, but, after OLTA and the self-titled, we're dealing with a small catalogue of which about half ranges from average to garbage quality. At this point, I would prefer if they went crazy and just started producing material that tried new things, and that might seem out of the Interpol "character." Then there might be some sort of movement or evolution in their sound.

Again, it makes me sad. For being songwriters, there doesn't seem to be any joy or excitement left, or much indication that they love getting together and writing together. If that's present in the studio, it isn't apparent in the last two albums. Interpol just reeks of being an obligation at this point.

Anyways, I'm clearly in the minority here. I'll retreat into the shadows again and listen to some bands who sound like they give a damn about producing material. G'night.

[pitbull in time]

you just don't like the last 2 albums that's it, they are just doing what they've always been doing

[visualinfidelity]

fold your hands..., on 07 June 2012 - 04:40 PM, said:

That's great that there are a lot of people here who still love the band and what they put out, however meager it may be. I just can't shake the feeling that, now, these guys get together every three years, produce ten mediocre songs, and then play perfect recreations of the album version of those songs on a tour for a year. They've been doing that since 2007. It wouldn't make me so sad if Interpol didn't mean a lot to me eight years ago, but it does now. I would agree that a small catalogue doesn't matter if all of the material is great, but, after OLTA and the self-titled, we're dealing with a small catalogue of which about half ranges from average to garbage quality. At this point, I would prefer if they went crazy and just started producing material that tried new things, and that might seem out of the Interpol "character." Then there might be some sort of movement or evolution in their sound.

Again, it makes me sad. For being songwriters, there doesn't seem to be any joy or excitement left, or much indication that they love getting together and writing together. If that's present in the studio, it isn't apparent in the last two albums. Interpol just reeks of being an obligation at this point.

Anyways, I'm clearly in the minority here. I'll retreat into the shadows again and listen to some bands who sound like they give a damn about producing material. G'night.

:blink: ............

[Nine]

I agree to some extent with fold, but if anyone remembers I'm a very big fan of OLTA.

I've said it before, but I think this next album will be the most interesting and telling -- Carlos is gone, not coming back. They've already dealt with the absence of their figurehead personality, but they've got to keep a retaining element of the band which is the rhythm section. I think they ARE doing new things but it's not really apparent to listeners or anything new. On OLTA, I think it was the first album they really did in Logic or Pro Tools; I know TOTBL was done traditionally on reels, we have pictures of the the tracking tapes while their in the studio and I figure Antics is the same given the older material being re-used (7, ATTBSS, Next Exit) and working with Katis again. So that's why they went on with "we play keys from the start", it let Carlos kind of flex his orchestral muscle more using the MOTU VSTs and I think that relieved some tensions within the band, too -- despite some obviously remaining. Even the bass on "All Fired Up" was completely done in a VST (virtual synth, for simplicity's sake). With the S/T, I think they were clearing house and maybe starting fresh or maybe they'll break up -- I think that's why we've got "Gavilan" and I think there's more to the album about Carlos leaving on it than the band lets on. We know by now to read between the lines with Interpol's interviews.

What they should really do is release an EP next year sometime even if it's in Autumn/early Winter. This band used to be such an EP band! The "Live EP" was just to fulfill contractual obligations with Capitol and they were able to get out because of the internal shake-ups that have been described over and over in interviews. With all the talk of democracy, I think it's apparent that Interpol is Daniel's child really. That's why we're not seeing him do any solo work. Let's get a 3-5 song EP with new material, even if we get a few instrumentals. It's a good move because it's going to reassure fans that they're still together and what might be to come. It's like dipping toes into water instead of diving in, which I think would be the best move for them. The reviews and popularity have been dwindling -- and that's not totally due to the fault of having 2 strong first albums. There's definitely a new generation of Interpol fans and many of us speak from the older generation. I've met people who got into them through OLTA and S/T, so their opinion is going to be different. But the overwhelming opinion is the band is kind of settling in to mediocrity and it's not because they're victims to being the best of the post-punk revival scene that became so popular with TOTBL hit or anything like that. With being on Matador and no disillusion of "limiting creative control" that people could write OLTA off because it was on Capitol, even if it's not true -- there's no excuse. They need to gauge their future and how the public responds, retain their "Interpol-ness" to a degree, but expand to an obvious degree to listeners. Adding talk over tracks and flat production isn't helping the cause. There's bands from their era that are doing interesting things, have buzz, critics and listeners agree -- I might not be a fan of those bands but I can tell they're doing something new and worthy of checking out, at least. I'll fully admit I will like anything practically that they do because it's tied to my memories and it's personal, I love Paul's voice and the sound, I love the style and I'm interested in what they have to say. That's why it's disappointing when it's kind of blasé. I think Paul's solo stuff is interesting, it's expanding and finding itself at least. But this isn't about Paul because it lacks that "Interpol-ness" that I love so much. I don't want an old Interpol record re-hashed, but I want something that somehow shows some progress in an interesting way that retains what we all know and love.

I think they've still got the love of music in them, obviously Carlos was begrudging from the start if we remember. I'm happy he's off doing what he wants and he's got money now to do it. I wonder about Daniel. It's obvious Paul's moving at least as a songwriter and Sam to an extent too. They are all getting older and starting to settle down too. Families, relationships, enough money to explore other hobbies they've probably wanted to get into but couldn't before. I expect it to slow down a bit, but the last big point I want to make is this: This band came before the internet really controlled music and the scene was different. They seem to still be stuck in this mode even though bands in that era have moved forward. You do not need to tour for years -- sure it is nice, but the internet allows us to watch live shows now. It's different. I'm not trying to take anything away, but touring is important for money now but at the same time it's not as elusive to see the band play live thanks to Youtube. Sure it's not the same, I understand that. Even with busy lives, I'd like to see them bounce tracks around through emails -- build something together even if they're busy. Sam can be in Athens, Dan can be in Rome, and Paul can be surfing in Panama -- but that doesn't mean they can't communicate and share musical ideas "democratically". Bands do this a lot more now and there's no evidence that Interpol harnesses this advantage. Maybe they are set in their ways, but I think it's in their best interest and the fans for something.

I know this is all over the place, but I think I've expressed a few points that I feel are really important. I had another big point that hit me, but I'm almost 2 pints deep so I forget. Hope someone can understand all this, I really love this band and I don't want them to break up but even more I don't want them to just strive for mediocrity and play a world tour for 2 years because of money.

[hazey jane]

I'll never understand the point of coming to a band's message board and tell everyone how much you're disappointed with the band.
:rolleyes:

[EtoileMaris]

hazey jane, on 08 June 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

I'll never understand the point of coming to a band's message board and tell everyone how much you're disappointed with the band.
:rolleyes:

+eleventymeeeeellliioooon this.

Maybe s/he is expecting Paul, Dan and Sam to post on here a complete 10 page apology stating their personal devastation on how they've let FYH down. Because really, it's really all about that one fan...

[visualinfidelity]

I think everyone is reading into everything way too much. Just take it as it comes.

[visualinfidelity]

Also, almost all of the members have confirmed they aren't breaking up.
Paul in that Brazilian video interview and Daniel said this:
You're all songwriters in the band, but obviously last year saw the departure of your bassist, Carlos Dengler, how do you think the new dynamic will affect songwriting in the future?
I think any band that any member leaves is going to change the dynamic. But everyone can write and do their own thing in this band, everyone has that capacity so we'll take a break afterwards and then we'll start writing again.
I think Sam has mentioned it too but I can't remember where.

[hazey jane]

sfive, on 10 June 2012 - 07:51 AM, said:

I suppose they could go the route of The Strokes -- that is, cut down on the touring in order to produce another album sooner. But don't think concert goers like that, especially for those living in areas where shows are scarce or non-existent.

Exactly. And also, they don't make money out of records, they need to tour.

[Nine]

sfive, on 10 June 2012 - 06:51 AM, said:

I read all of what Nine wrote. :lol: There are actually people who have the same opinions as fold your hands... .

Three-year gap seems like the average number for bands. It could be worse and be longer than that.

I suppose they could go the route of The Strokes -- that is, cut down on the touring in order to produce another album sooner. But don't think concert goers like that, especially for those living in areas where shows are scarce or non-existent.

Glad someone read it, I don't really agree with Fold, but I can see where (s)he's coming from to a certain extent.

[rose_mary]

hazey jane, on 10 June 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

Exactly. And also, they don't make money out of records, they need to tour.

And I think they mentioned more than once that there is no song writing happening while they are on tour.

I do not have a problem with the 3 year period, I prefer them taking their time.
But I would like a b-side or something on a compilation now and then that is not an old song or a remix.

[TheNew]

I'm all for quality not quantity - but some of the responses to this thread are actually laughable.

Yes, their setlists are good - however, it's not like they have a huge amount of material to choose from and NOR do they ever mix it up.

If you think they're amazing live, I would suggest you see more bands. Their live performances have waivered over the years, it's not consistent, and there are many other bands out there for far surpass Interpol - as much as I do like them.

Thirdly - one may not understand why a poster may visit to express their disenchantment with the band, but is it not a valid point? Trolling is one thing, but posting a provoking, non agressive, thoughtful answer adds to discussion - exactly what this board is here for. It's sure as hell more interesting than reading how much half of you are lusting after the band. Just because you may not agree with the OP doesn't mean you have to be nasty/sarcastic.

Kudos to people who've actually thought about their reponses rather than being bitter towards with opening poster just because you're unable to discriminate or take any criticism towards the board or the band. Music is an artform, it provokes a myriad of responses, not one is ever right.