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| Antics | 
 enlarge | Artist: Interpol
Label: Matador Records
Category: Music
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $2.99
You Save: $11.99 (80%)
New (43) Used (40) Collectible (2) from $2.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  346 reviews
Sales Rank: 8856
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
MPN: 10616
UPC: 744861061625
EAN: 0744861061625
ASIN: B0002PD3HU
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Used - Good; booklet or jewel case may show wear. Overall, good condition. Will be shipped promptly!
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| Tracks:
| • | Next Exit | | • | Evil | | • | Narc | | • | Take You On A Cruise | | • | Slow Hands | | • | Not Even Jail | | • | Public Pervert | | • | C'mere | | • | Length Of Love | | • | A Time To Be So Small |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
The follow-up to their mega-successful debut is no less brooding and intense, but charged with flashes of color and romance. "Antics" infuses Interpol's dark musical landscapes with new optimism.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 341 more reviews...
 Up to new "Antics" October 5, 2004
61 out of 69 found this review helpful
Whether you love or hate Interpol's second album "Antics" depends on how you felt about "Turn On The Bright Lights." If you liked their debut, chances are you'll like this one too. With their polished sound, Interpol rose to prominance above most of their New York rawk cousins (except the Strokes), and "Antics" gets to expand their sound further.
Too often Interpol is fingered as a mere Joy Division imitator -- especially since the music is good, but hardly genius-level. Maybe it's those accusations that gives "Antics" a slightly wounded, tired feel. The songs aren't quite as much of a jolt as songs like "NYC," but the heavier, darker feel is just as powerful... if not more so.
"Next Exit" is a bit of a jolt, with its slow organ and solid percussion. There's a gritty Pixies feel to "Evil," with its smashing bassline, the funky pop of "Length of Love," and a sort of vague nautical theme to songs like "Take you on a Cruise," with its cries of "[Insert color here] temptress of the sea, you treat me right."
Musically it's bouncier and more upbeat at times. There are solid melodies, angular guitars, and a sound that is far more expansive than what they've done before. Previously it sounded like Interpol was reining in their music a little. But with the pressure of a new album, they seem to have let rip with their expressive, complex melodies.
Paul Banks sounds resigned to the emotions churned up in "Antics." But he really sounds good, especially when he's anguished. And it's a good thing that he does such a stellar job, because the lyrics can border on cringeworthy. "Complex salacious removal"? "The pole dance of the stars"? It's either brilliant, or terrible -- either way, only a good band could have lines that that, and still have fans.
While the lyrics are kind of iffy, the music and "vibe" of "Antics" is a sign that Interpol might be on a lot of "Best of 2004" lists by the end of the year. Solid, moody and very listenable.
 I liked them when they were called Joy Division November 2, 2004
33 out of 44 found this review helpful
After hearing about Interpol ad nauseum, I decided to purchase this album. I must say, I couldn't have been more let down. First, I should mention that Joy Division were my favorite band in high school. I've moved on to discover much more visceral music (art rock, European avant-progressive rock, independent rock, modern orchestral compositions), but Joy Division weren't bad for living in a small town and being in high school. I didn't have access to more visceral music or culture until I attended college in an urban environment.
Their popular single, "Slow Hands" is a complete rip off of Joy Division's most popular song, "Love Will Tear Us Apart". The drums are the same, the guitar strumming is the same, and the singer even makes a contrived effort to sound like the late Ian Curtis. The only differences are the lyrics and a transposition of the notes, enough to be legally considered original, but artistically speaking, this music is highly derivative.
Most fans of Interpol won't realize this, because they are too young to have heard Joy Division. The band denies any knowledge of this seminal band, which I find hard to believe. Even professional record reviewers and journalists point out the obvious resemblance to Joy Division. They're even attired in formal wear, like Joy Division. This cannot be coincidence... the same look and the same sound as such a unique, one of a kind band. In the late 80's, due to the success of Factory Records and New Order, Joy Divison finally received airplay on the radio and MTV. I find it hard to believe they accidentally ripped off such a stylistically unique band as Joy Division. Nonetheless, their singer contends that he just heard them several months ago? Someone who is obviously into "alternative" music, in his 30's, and he's never heard a note, eh? Unfortunately, many of their fans are gullible enough to believe this, or just don't care.
The thing one must realize is that they aren't aping Joy Division, per se, but they imitate one popular Joy Division song and pass it off as a musical career. Joy Division at least had the good sense to write songs with some degree of variance.
The songs on this album all sound the same. There is no diversity in "composition". Furthermore, they use the least amount of compositional parameters possible. There is no use of dissonance, polyrhythms, counterpoint, time/tempo changes, or unconventional time signatures. There is nothing here but repetitive 8th note strumming patterns, 4/4 time signatures, and major key signatures. They've taken one song written by a band that had a tragic ending, and made a career out of it. With their slick suits and NYC G.Q. looks, they've managed to convince enough people that they are artists. After all, they look as though they work in art galleries in the Village. This music is not art. It is a craft.
The most disappointing thing is to hear accolades of Interpol in the independent media. Tape Op recently featured an expose on Interpol's recording sessions. This band is not an independent rock band. They are dependent rock:
- They depend on fans that are not knowledgeable about the originators of this music.
- They depend on their pseudo-independent label, Matador.
- They depend on MTV, ABC, "alternative" radio and the mainstream media at large for publicity.
- They depend on their looks to make uninteresting music appeal to a mostly teenage audience.
I have no problem if this band was marketed as some mainstream "alternative" pretty boy band. Unfortunately, this is one of the many mainstream bands that operate under the guise of independent rock, so they can be effective in both mainstream and indie markets. This band is not an independent rock band, but they try to pawn off some sort of indie rock pedigree.
This album is very disappointing and indicative of the homogeneity of media due to vertical and horizontal integration by media conglomerates. They are the product of the system that discourages innovation, because the industry needs to make money from as many "Pearl Jam", or in this case 80's doom and gloom punk bands, as possible. They fit nicely into the schema of 80's retro revival, like Rooney and The Strokes. I didn't enjoy the 80's the first time around. Do we really need to repeat this? Can't music progress beyond aping music that is "n" decades old? Unfortunately, most of the fans of this music enable this to happen by purchasing these media products. They purchase these products because this is what is promoted. It's the proverbial snake eating it's own tail.
As potential customers, I would like to inform you that there is nothing innovative, creative, or artistic about this album. Interpol are craftsman, and not artists. If you happen to enjoy their homogeneous sound, that's a matter of opinion. However, Interpol are devoid of artistic merit. I don't expect every band to be into dadaism or futurism. That too would be boring. Interpol don't offer anything intellectual and artistic, but their marketing and accolades in the independent and mainstream media would indicate otherwise.
Save your money and explore true independent rock. Buy a Joy Division album instead of this. Support originators and not poseurs.
A Solid Sophomore Effort from One of the Best Out There October 1, 2004
27 out of 33 found this review helpful
Interpol's debut album "Turn On the Bright Lights" was a superlative homage to early eighties alterna-pop. Borrowing heavily from Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Smiths, it established them as one of the most promising bands around.
"Antics" makes good on this promise, even if it subtly departs from the overall sound and mood that defined their first album. Upon further listening, these differences show themselves as growth in terms of performance, production and songwriting and the results are very satisfying.
Within the first few minutes, you notice that Paul's vocals have been freed of the bottomless well of reverb that ran throughout "Turn On. . .". What used to sound like a soulless Ian Curtis drone now has more feeling and a very unique tone all its own. The songs themselves break out of their original mold as well - "No Exit" is almost a light tune, whereas other tracks such as "Public Pervert" and "Take You On a Cruise" are melodic to the point of being romantic. Those who can't get past this subtly new sound will still find Interpol's trademark angular new wave on a few tracks such as the first single "Slow Hands" and "Evil". These tracks were showcased during the band's performances on this past Summer's Curiosa festival and held up very well with the older material.
"Antics" shows that Interpol is one of the few bands out there today who know how to stay focused on a particular sound and grow within that sound without becoming self-derivative. My only fault with the album is that it isn't five discs long.
Say what? November 2, 2004
26 out of 33 found this review helpful
These guys are cute, but you'd expect more dancing for their cute looks. Why not take off the jackets (no jackets required), and show off those big manly muscles. Why diet and pep up, only to not show off that 7% bodyfat sexiness?
Da music got beat and da konsistant sound dat keep me runnin' like da runnin' man. Da music is da bom. Betta dan d-mon an' Sizzy Fuz any day.
Props, but dance. I'd give you five stars if ya put down yer geetrs, got a dj, wrless hdset mks, and dance, dance, dance...
Till you fit the musicological-yo graves yu dug, I suggest layin' lo and vacationin' in Tehachapi.
Interpox November 2, 2004
25 out of 35 found this review helpful
These fellas are just the sort of viral infestation that stamps out true genius. Once again, mediocrity prevails and obscures artists that put forth effort.
This album was a major waste of money. Is there a money back guarantee or a 1-800/877/896 toll free number for Matador so I can get a refund? Or can I do that from Amazon?
They sold me an independent band, instead I found a dependent band with co-dependent enabler fans!
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