Interpol - Antics: The Special Edition

Favorite New York Band lightens their tone

Even though Interpol's 2001 release, "Turn On the Bright Lights," was brilliant, it had some of the most grating and cruel lyrics I'd ever heard. It's hard to listen to a song about a friend who likes to carve people up, or an outcast girl who was the Paul Bank's catatonic sex toy (weird).

Thankfully, Interpol always has room to improve, and their second album is a wonder. "Antics" is one of the most memorable albums of the decade, featuring excellent songs of love for girls who just haven't been looking in Bank's direction. Since Interpol's sound is based on the dark band Joy Division, there are many, many dark songs about sex and public prostitutes, such as "NARC" and "Take You On a Cruise." And Banks' need for vengeance against the hollow romance of unfaithful lovers really shines in the upbeat neo-punk song "Slow Hands." He really shows his insight with lyrics of anger against pole dancers, such as "We slow hands/killer for hire/you know not yourself." While it's not the biggest show of angst, especially in comparison to Nirvana, Banks' lyrics are much more interesting in this album than "Turn On the Bright Lights."

More importantly, Interpol is also showing a more political side in their songs, especially with the song "Not Even Jail." The drums really plod on a cool disco beat surrounded by deafening guitars, as Banks sings about criminals who make promises not to do wrong in the face of the uncompromising police.

Most notable, however, is Interpol's first switch to try to write songs about healthier love relationships. "C'mere" is one of the most beautiful and upbeat neo-punk rock songs about love. There's something romantic about Banks' when he sings "It's way too late to be this locked inside ourselves/The trouble is that you're in love with someone else/It should be me/Oh, it should be me".

And Interpol is starting to show insight in their analysis of failed love. Banks' last song, "A Time To Be So Small," is a song about girls who long for parents who died. Perhaps Interpol really wants to tell people to seek to find more realistic relationships with this album. Their craftsmanship is improving steadily, and this album proves that they are one of the more intriguing New York bands around. May 18, 2008

Great stuff!

Listen all the way through 3 times and you will not be able to figure out what song is your favorite. This is a timeless recording. It is hard to believe that Interpol is not more popular. February 10, 2008

GREAT Album

It's been a month now since I purchased this album and I haven't been able to stop listening to it.. it's amazing! Love the guitar sounds and I adore Paul Banks' voice... the remixes are great, although Banks' remix is a bit slow and it fogs up the song...the videos are great also... Any true fan of Interpol would LOVE this album! July 8, 2006

For The Seven

I'm so glad this album was released.The remixes put a whole new spin on the original tracks of Antics. And the entire original antics album is on there, and i cannot stop listeing to it. My favorie remix is Public Pervert (Carlos D Remix).
But the real reason this albumis great is Song Seven. I had no idea that Song Seven existed when i bought this album, and it turns out to be one of the best songs I've evr heard. The great guitar chords and unique lyrics make this song incredible. If you like Interpol, you'll love the Special Edition, and especially Song Seven. November 13, 2005

vailtrail.com/ weekly shuffle/ CD Review by Samantha Donen

Interpol, Antics: The Special Edition
In Interpol's second album, Antics, these decadent princes of gloom manage to make the sun come out at a funeral. In The Special Edition, a bonus disc includes the new 'Song Seven' plus remixes from Antics that range from a techno version of 'Length of Love' to an 8 minute long 'Public Pervert'. Still, Antics manages to soothe my aching soul. With the somewhat uplifting opening organ chords of the first track 'Next Exit' to the pop-like melody on 'Slow Hands'. Reminiscent of Joy Division, The Smiths, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Web link: [...] November 8, 2005

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