Interpol bursts onto music scene

After having enthralled the underground scene for years, Interpol, with its dark, expansive sound and haunting vocals are at last sliding into the limelight. Their summer 2002 debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, features dizzying instrumentals and nonsensical lyrics, covering rejection and devotion in their expansive rendition of '80s style rock.

Interpol may sometimes be mistakenly labeled as 'four blokes from the States attempting to emulate Joy Division' (a short-lived but very influential post-punk band), but they are truly emerging as their own unique force. While both bands prefer glum and moody expression to the energized frustration of punk, Interpol draws on more classic rock influences, citing among their inspirations the band Morrissey.

The likes of the Doors, the Smiths, and Zeppelin are also readily apparent on its debut album. The opening to Interpol's "Say Hello to the Angels" may prompt some to yell out the Doors' "C'mon, c'mon now, touch me, babe," but instead Banks croons, "I want your silent parts/The parts the birds love/I know there's such a place."

Turn on the Bright Lights kicks off with a mellow untitled introduction, then flows into the head bopping and foot-tapping tune of "Obstacle 1." After hearing the opening licks to the first song, you're hooked and have no choice but to be transfixed for the next forty minutes by the beautiful, beautiful noise that is Interpol.

One of the album's more powerful tracks, "Hands Away", stands out as largely because of the lyrics. Lead singer Paul Banks laments, "Ohhhhh, what happened..." as updated synth pop sounds build in the background around a lone guitar twang. Another highlight is the short instrumental break in "Say Hello to the Angels," where the song's focus cuts away to a guitar solo before bringing back the keyboard and a touch of percussion.

Sometimes, though, the group's emphasis on rock leads to weaker lyrics. In the expansive "NYC", ethereal vocals of their lead singer, Banks, end up being mostly indecipherable lyrics.

The Interpol boys are the relatively new darlings of Matador, an indie label which also features Guided by Voices, Belle and Sebastian, and Yo La Tengo. After signing with Matador, Interpol was whisked away to recording studios in Connecticut to produce their debut EP. Since they received the recording and mixing talents of Peter Katis (Mercury Rev) and Gareth Jones (Clinic), Interpol shares sound elements with these other up and coming bands.

These four, spiffy Interpol-istic lads definitely know how to put on quite a live show as well as inventive recordings. Their image of dressing in shirt and ties, with the "I-have-not-bothered-to-wash-my-hair-in-two-days-'do-but-yet-fully-coordinated-my-outfit-with-my-fellow-band-members style" works well for them. In terms of their performances, the stage is filled with movement and between the aggressive stroking of the guitarist, the strumming of the new-wave base, and their animated vocalist, their shows are electric.

Point? Do not miss out on this innovative new sound -- get thee to a record store, or at least to Kazaa, to be spellbound by the glory of these four talented New Yorkers.

Interpol will be performing tonight with Elefant and The Occasion at Avalon in Boston.