Photo: Alexandre Román / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)
New York’s Interpol band first formed in 1997 when guitarist Daniel Kessler met drummer Greg Drud. Kessler met bassist Carlos Dengler when they were both studying at New York university and asked him to join. He then later asked vocalist and guitarist Paul Banks to join. After recording an ep Drudy left and was replaced by Sam Fagorino. After releasing a few more ep’s they signed with Matador Records and released their debut Turn on the Bright Lights in 2002. This album was very well received upon its release and the band came to be known as part of New York’s branch of the post-punk revival along with the likes of The Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They released their second album titled Antics in 2004.
They left Matador in 2006 and signed with Capitol Records to release their third album entitled Our Love To Admire in 2007. With this record, it was very much a case of the difficult third album. It featured different kinds of elements such as the use of keyboards from the beginning of the song writing process and was met with a mixed reaction.
It would seem that the pressure of their fist release on a major label took its toll on Interpol, as by the time of the release of their self-titled album fourth album they were back with Matador. In particular, it would seem that for Dengler, the enthusiasm had waned, as he left the band not long after the album’s completion. This ended up being their most difficult time as band, a fact not helped by the record’s lukewarm reception.
Although they did continue to tour for the record for the next couple of years with several live musicians handling bass duties, in 2012 they announced that they were going on a much-needed hiatus. Over the following two years, the members worked on their own projects, which included a second solo album by Banks.
In 2014 the band, now a three piece with Banks taking over the bass, got back together to record their fifth album which was released later that year and was titled El Pintor (an anagram of the band’s name.) The album marked a welcome comeback for the band, and they would spend the next couple of years touring to promote it. They released the sixth album in 2018 titled Marauder.
# 10 – A Time To Be So Small
Kicking off this Interpol Songs list is the closing track from Antics. When it was released, this album reached number fifteen on the Billboard 200 and number twenty-one on the UK album charts. It sold over 48,000 copies in the US. It was also very well received critically, with many publications naming it their album of the year for 2004. Banks has retrospectively stated that this record is one of his favorites of the band’s discography.
# 9 – Pace Is The Trick
Up next on this Interpol songs list is a track from Our Love To Admire released in 2007. The band’s first to be released on a major label, although it was generally well received the different direction that the band went in with it did divided opinion with some critics. It was much more complex in terms of song arrangement in comparison to the more straightforward approach of the previous two records. Banks would later name it as one of his least favorite Interpol albums.
# 8 – Safe Without
This track was taken from their self-titled fourth album released in 2010 which was their last with Dengler. This album was not very well received, with many critics regarding it as being inferior to the band’s previous albums. This is perhaps a result of personal tensions within the band during the album’s recording which led to Dengler’s departure. However, despite all of this, the group themselves were reportedly happy with the final result.
# 7 – Specialist
Here is a track that was recorded during the sessions for the band’s debut in 2002 titled Turn on the Bright Lights. It did not make the final cut of the record but was included as one of the bonus tracks on the tenth anniversary reissue of it. When it was originally released, the record reached number 101 on the UK album charts and 158 on the Billboard 200. In addition to this it spent nearly two years on the Billboard Independent charts.
# 6 – PDA
Here we have the debut single from Turn on the Bright Lights. Unlike the two singles from the same album that followed, it failed to chart. However, it was nominated for an MTV2 award in 2003. It is one of the band’s oldest songs, having appeared on several of their early demo’s and ep’s. The song is very gloomy in nature and it is easy to see the rather frequent comparisons that the band often had to Joy Division during this period.
# 5 – Obstacle 1
And here is the second single to be taken from the first album. It reached number forty-one on the UK singles chart. It is one of Interpol’s best-known songs and it is easy to see why. Although the song is rather simplistic in terms of its structure, it works as the track has a kind of gloomy rawness that provides an effectively dark atmosphere. Much of the album is like this, which makes it easy to see why it is now regarded as one of the most seminal indie rock albums of the early 2000’s.
# 4 – Roland
Here we have yet another song from the first album! (It is my favorite record by the band!) Whilst it is not exactly clear who Roland is, whoever he is, he is clearly a busy man as the lyrics describe him getting up to a lot. This is one of the more upbeat tracks on an otherwise generally morose sounding album. Although with that said, is still has the kind of sad vibe on it that is prevalent throughout the rest of the record.
# 3 -Slow Hands
As we continue our top 10 Interpol songs list we turn to the lead single from the album Antics. It reached number thirty-six on the Uk charts and number fifteen on the Billboard Modern rock charts. The song’s lyrics appear somewhat sinister in nature, with it openly being about lusting after someone. However, this is somewhat made up for by the fact that the song is very danceable and catchy.
# 2 – Evil
Just off the top spot is the second single from Antics. The song is believed to be about Fred and Rose West, a British married couple who were serial killers and murdered several teenage girls. If this is indeed the case it would certainly explain the song’s title and the fact that the first word of the chorus is “Rosemary.” It reached number eighteen on the UK singles chart and number twenty-four on the Billboard.
# 1 – All the Rage Back Home
At the top spot on our Interpol songs list is the lead single from the band’s fifth album El Pintor released in 2014. This album received much more critical praise than the self-titled previous record and many fans saw it as an improvement. As their first record without Dengler it was a challenging one to make, as he had previously been a big part of the creative process. Banks stated later in an interview that the band’s future was uncertain after his departure. However, they clearly emerged triumphant and with this record as they discovered which direction they wanted to take themselves in.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
