Having just finally obtained a fresh copy of Interpol’s self-titled newest LP, Cannibal Cheerleader can say with confidence that’s we’re sticking with our initial review that the group’s use of swirling guitars and angular rhythms are back in fine form. A cerebral and radio un-friendly record Interpol seems positioned to grow on listeners, immediately warranting and subsequently rewarding multiple listens. Stripping away the dancier elements of some of their previous records and emphasizing the otherworldly qualities of their haunting instrumentation, incorporating layers not touched upon since Turn On The Bright Lights. Altogether a mysterious and strangely fulfilling work – definitely worth checking out.
One of the records we’re really looking forward to here at Cannibal Cheerleader is Interpol’s new self-titled LP, due out Sept. 7th. We’ve already been completely blown away by the whirlwind production that was the first leaked track “Lights” and it’s subsequent, horrific and intoxicating video by Charlie White (who you’ll remember was the wunderkind behind the band’s bizarre puppet show in the video for “Evil”).
And now we’ve got a new leak – “Barricade”, the band’s first official single and it’s quite the doozy. Banks’ bark comes across as more immediate than ever, though the more progressive production continues to shine through, as it did on “Lights”, this time by burying the vocals under a slinking guitar line and frenetic drum kicks. While not necessarily as classically anthemic as some of Interpol’s strongest tracks, “Barricade” sounds like the kind of deliciously tangled pop flourish that joins monster tracks on the album as a whole, a’la “Roland” or “NARC”. Check it out below and let us know what you think!
Lastly, check out the album artwork and tracklist below! Who doesn’t want to hear Interpol perform a song called “Always Malaise”?
01 Success
02 Memory Serves
03 Summer Well
04 Lights
05 Barricade
06 Always Malaise (The Man I Am)
07 Safe Without
08 Try It On
09 All of the Ways
10 The Undoing
NEW MARS VOLTA ALBUM NEWS AND COVER ART Check that bad boy out! Word on the street is (very early, blogosphere speculative word that is) that this wonderful monstrosity is indeed the face of Octahedron, the newest release from Texas’ own The Mars Volta, one of our favorite bands of all time. Lots of speculation and rumor surrounding this release so let’s lay down a few things we do know, starting with the tracklist:
“Since We’ve Been Wrong”
“Teflon”
“Halo of Nembutals”
“With Twilight as My Guide”
“Cotopaxi”
“Desperate Graves”
“Copernicus”
“Luciforms”
Also notable is the suggestion that this album will be a more subdued and listenable approach to TMV’s sound, an experience Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has dubbed “acoustic”, though it’s anyone’s guess as to what acoustic can mean for this band. Still, a step towards listenability may just be an approach to greater rockness, though there’s hardly any chance this album could conquer the behemoth (no pun intended) that was the Bedlam in Goliath. Still, here’s hope “Since We’ve Been Wrong” is a Kelly Clarkson cover (it IS the first single after all).
Another interesting tidbit – check out this photo below, which is the background of Hello Merch’s Mars Volta page. Below that you’ll see the mountain the picture was based on, called “Cotopaxi”. Coincidence? We think not! Maybe another piece of the art puzzle, look out for more clues folks! Lastly here’s a live bootleg version of “Since We’ve Been Wrong” from their New Year’s Eve show this past December. Get excited.
The Mars Volta – “Cavalettas” ******************************************************************** NEW BALMORHEA VIDEO Here’s Austin’s own Balmorhea’s newest video for “Remembrance” off their excellent third LP All Is Wild, All Is Silent. Enjoy!
Balmorhea – “Settler” ******************************************************************** THE ARM TO REUNITE IN AUSTIN Back in the day, back when things were real different here in Austin, there used to be this rather electric dance-punk group whose combination of Interpol-esque pathos merged seamlessly with their industrial, Bloc Party beats to create a local powerhouse of Gang of Four-style indie rock – that group was called the Arm and they broke up YEARS ago it seems. Well imagine our surprise when we found out the group would be reforming for one night only at a headling show at Emo’s on May 9th. You know we’ll be there! Check out the group’s Myspace for more details!
One of our favorite blogs Stereogum is releasing a tribute to Bjork’sPost (a fantastic album in its own right) called Enjoyed and they’ve got some excellent contributions this time. CC faves such as Liars, Bell, and High Places are all represented so check it out in this player or download all the MP3s at their site. Great stuff.
******************************************************************** NEW INTERPOL FAN VIDEO
In what is apparently a more and more regular occurence, a fan-made video for a band has received the act’s approval, as is this case with this fan-made, Interpol-approved clip. Featuring “Rest My Chemistry” from last year’s underrated Our Love to Admire, the video of swirling lights seems incredibly fitting. Here’s hoping they do “Pace Is The Trick” next.
******************************************************************** POSTER SALE IN AUSTIN
Here are some rock posters readers of CC might be interested in! They are from Bryan Keplesky’s (of Misprint fame) personal collection and they include such CC faves as Death Cab and the Wrens. Apparently Bryan will deliver them to your house if you order so call him up and get some!
