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Interpol single Obstacle 1

Interpol: Obstacle 1

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by Gareth Dobson
Interpol it seems, are a band out of time and out of place. Perhaps that's why they manage to offer up something as compelling as this.

The touchstones are evident, but equally, only a pointer. Joy Division is the obvious beginning place. Paul Bank's vocals manage to produce the same sense of morbid claustrophobia as Ian Curtis, and Daniel Kessler offers jagged, asymmetrical guitar stabs ala Sumner or Robert Smith. Its really quite breathtaking. Like its forbearers, the song contains a dark, brooding groove of its own that takes itself into a strange and otherly place.

"She puts the weights into my little heart and she gets in my room and she tears it apart" flails the vocalist, as 'Obstacle 1' builds to its dark, crushing crescendo. Perhaps the style of its ending is expected. What's not anticipated is the force and power the band creates in doing so. Like I said, breathtaking.

  • Interpol 8 / 10

Interpol - Obstacle 1

What a beautiful song! The bass and drums - as always - provide the driving force for Interpol on this record. Carlos D is a truly awesome bassist; as important the band's sound as Hook was for Joy Division. This song defines Interpol: stylish, jagged, fantastically claustrophobic (great way to describe it, Gareth) and with a veneer of effortless cool. Despite the veritable plethora of bands attempting to capture Interpol's stoic coolness right now, nobody else quite matches up. This band are truly unique.

There is something mesmerisingly aggressive and dark about this song: "You go stabbing yourslef in the neck". Lose yourself in this song: you'll feel like you're drowning in the sewers under New York in a suit. You're all dirty and can't breathe...but you love it anyway.

"We can find new ways of living"