Grade: 40/100
The title of Interpol’s fifth studio album, “El Pintor,” which means “The Painter” in Spanish, is an anagram for “Interpol,”
“El Pintor” is a clear return to Interpol’s early sound, a much needed a transition after 2010’s self-titled album, which showed the band going in a direction that was not at all perceived well by fans and critics.
“El Pintor” is listenable. If you put it on a CD in your car you’ll listen to it on repeat for weeks without being disturbed.
But, is that really what you want from an album?
The album has Banks’ alluring vocals and noninvasive music. There are some good guitar sounds and somewhat thoughtful lyrics, but I keep listening to this album and none if it is particularly memorable.
Interpol was extremely successful with its first album, “Turn On the Bright Lights,” released in August of 2002. The album featured laments on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In my opinion, the band being from New York City and playing to the mood of the time was the driving force behind their popularity.
“El Pintor” could never live up to “Turn On the Bright Lights.”
The first song and only single from “El Pintor,” “All the Rage Back Home” reflects its dependence on being hometown heroes in New York. The song is more rock and roll than other songs on the album, which is something I appreciate coming from Interpol.
It’s worth noting that this album is also the first without Interpol’s iconic bassist, Carlos Dengler.
Instead, vocalist and guitarist Paul Banks laid down the album’s bass tracks, but they’re just not the same.
The music video for “All the Rage Back Home” is a black and white montage of the band playing with vocalist Paul Banks on bass, and surfers taking on huge waves.
It makes for a chill video, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with the song or the band in general.
I wish they could have been more creative with the video. It would have been really nice to see a concept video or at least something more relevant.
It would be good if Interpol would do something revolutionary. Since the band was trying to return to their roots with this album, it doesn’t seem like anything new is to come.
I’m still hopeful for the future, but the band was just too cautious with this album for it to be worthwhile.