High-stakes 'Antics' pay off for Interpol

Even if it aligns you with Pitchfork Media, it's hard to deny the importance of Interpol's 2002 debut Turn On The Bright Lights. In the wake of the stylized Strokes, a dressed-up, strikingly-unattractive band out of New York City appeared with one of the most fleshed-out and complete albums in years. Despite inane comparisons to Joy Division, Interpol managed to make a dent among indie fans here and gather a much larger following in Europe. The only question was, "Can they do it again?"\nAfter two years, the answer is yes. Antics, while nowhere near as dark as the first record, is a bristling, breathtaking album filled with an equal number of hooks (first single "Slow Hands" sounds like Franz Ferdinand with a little more staying power) and pensive moments similar to often overlooked tracks on the first record. "Narc" and "Public Pervert" crescendo from austere to absolutely stunning; "Evil" has the best hook that Interpol has ever written, hands down.\nThe term sophomore slump exists for a reason, but every now and then a band manages to defy the norm and create a meaningful second record that doesn't parrot the first or overreach its grasp. This album manages to avoid both and continues to prove Interpol's talent and ability; it may not be as much of a shock as its auspicious debut, but it's certainly not any less thrilling.