CONCERT REVIEW: Interpol @ Crocodile Rock CafÃ©, 6/25

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CONCERT REVIEW: Interpol @ Crocodile Rock CafÃ©, 6/25

POSTED: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 5:28 PM

Filed Under: Music Concert Review

Interpol (except for Carlos — right, middle — who was recently replaced with David Pajo).

I don't think I was inebriated enough for the Interpol concert in Allentown. But if I were, I'm sure I would have loved it. Allentown, on the other hand, was just tipsy enough to go bananas for the post-rockers (never call them punk), who played a surprisingly short set at a jam-packed Crocodile Rock. Even shorter and less thrilling was 4-piece opener Twin Tigers, who didn't sound like anything someone with horn-rimmed glasses hadn't heard before. I'll give credit where it's due: Interpol has toured relentlessly since releasing their sophomore effort Antics in 2004, and the quartet has built up a fan base everywhere stretching from their New York roots to little old Allentown, apparently. Using all of my square foot of personal space, I watched from afar as frontman Paul Banks kept the Allentowners wanting more of his matter-of-factly melo-tone. "Dude, this is my ringtone!" I heard one denizen shout amidst the thump of "PDA." Really? What an unnatural sound you've chosen to hear every time you receive a call. As the show plodded away, the head bobbing factor always hovered around 0, save my guilty pleasure track, "Slow Hands." Most underwhelming was "Lights" from their upcoming fourth album, eloquently described by the band as having "some classical stuff going on." Woo-hoo! Then suddenly, after about 35 minutes of "Oh my god, Interpol came to Allentown," Interpol briefly departed Allentown. They returned after an unwarrantedly long "of-course-they-want-an-encore" pause for the closer, "C'mere," to the chagrin of one nearby Inter-po-po devotee: Apparently, they played the same exact setlist and encore at their last show in Pittsburgh. My beef with Interpol has been that they were a band whose live sound would exactly mimic their album (in a bad way), a belief completely reinforced by this barely-hour-long outing. Indeed, Interpol reaches out even further in the same I-Wish-I-Was-Joy-Division-But-I-Have-Just-One-Setting direction they have always aimed for, despite their alleged versatility. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt that they would exude a powerful, raw sound that would give them some serious groove potential, but I was left wondering: Where is it? Where's the hook? Where's the X factor that turns studio greats into live legends? They left it back in the van, right next to the other half of Daniel Kessler's ego. Regardless of my pedantic criticism, the crowd ate it all up in one gulp. They wanted the same sound they heard on their iTunes (or ringtone), and they got it. With the quirky little stagelight show (debatedly my favorite part), they even got the Visualizer, too. Admittedly, I have never taken to the Interpol sound, though I tried, lord knows how hard I tried. This show was for the real Interpol folk, and it was good enough for them. I mean, dude, it's Interpol!

Kevin C

Posted 2010-06-30 21:09:33

What the band plays is nowhere near "post rock" at all.  Aside from the chip on your shoulder, you should at least get that detail correct.

jackie_a

Posted 2010-07-01 12:45:41

this is the worst review ive ever read. man, you are a douche. you tried too hard here.
can we all just get along?

PATRICKV

Posted 2010-07-01 16:28:48

So very much criticism going on in this article buddy!Since you started with this b-shit review, why isnt there a recent photo of the guys?Is this really your job?-SO FAR YOU FAILED. Unbelievable.

Harrison S.

Posted 2010-07-01 17:16:11

If they aren't post-rock, please enlighten me as to what they are. Post-rock is at the very least too vague a description.

I don't like Interpol. So sue me. Sorry if I'm not allowed to criticize things I don't like.

The picture was not my doing, so don't give me any 'b-shit.' 

Also, keep in mind I'm a 19 year-old intern. I hope you feel big, 'douche.'

Harrison S.

Posted 2010-07-01 17:32:32

PS. <3

PATRICKV

Posted 2010-07-01 17:41:13

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA, 19!?!?!?! No shit this review is a piece of crap! Why bother write about them? Wait until you graduate from college and THEN intern. sound good?Also get some decent perspective when writting about bands, a-hole.

PATRICKV

Posted 2010-07-01 17:45:07

PS. </3

Harrison S.

Posted 2010-07-01 17:52:00

I'll keep that in mind when I'm 'writting.' Thanks for the constructive criticism!
(I still love ya by the way, *mwah*)

PATRICKV

Posted 2010-07-01 18:14:46

You are very welcome, and by the way - i do take sarcasm from teenagers.

Harrison S.

Posted 2010-07-01 18:25:05

Glad to hear it. Now cease giving me 'new comment' notifications please, non-teenager.

Harrison S.

Posted 2010-07-01 18:30:17

And *I* take advice from people who spend this much time criticizing an Interpol review. Glad were on the same page!

Todd Sanders

Posted 2010-07-01 21:00:48

jackie_a, 

Calling Harrison a "douche" does not seem like the best approach to "just getting along" with him, though I do agree that cultivating positive vibes would be beneficial.

Harrison,

I enjoyed your review; it has a subtle humor and relates many of the same sentiments I have about Interpol (including the same guilty-pleasure track). I've always been back-and-forth on them.

Lynn

Posted 2010-07-01 21:31:01

were these comments suppose to criticize ? i agree with PATRICKV, though. i am glad this review isnt going anywhere and nobody has been taught any productive elements from this, specially you who is still being immature. 19 years old huh?a no-go.

Tom

Posted 2010-07-03 08:24:41

Wow, Mr Simms, what a garbage review, it reeks of both journalistic and musical laziness, next time stay in bed instead of bothering to write a review.  You tried too hard to be cool and made yourself look stupid. Let's hope your career writing reviews for pop idol fairs better.

jackie_a

Posted 2010-07-03 10:47:37

Giving <3's and ''i still love you ''dont seem to be fair in his side TO BEGIN WITH. it doesnt seem to approach also with his criticism. I bet he came up with this review right after taking a shit. Thats exactly how he would wipe his ASS.

Colby.

Posted 2010-07-07 00:45:39

What kind of music do you like then, Harrison? Perhaps you aren't qualified to write reviews about this genre of music. I'm about your age, and am ashamed of the representation you've given teenagers in the world of concert reviews.

Craig

Posted 2010-09-22 10:56:56

Guys. It's cool. Harrison has a really excessively large penis. The kind that damages chicks inadvertently.

Harrison

Posted 2010-09-22 11:04:32

It's true!

Corey

Posted 2010-12-01 16:45:34

Harrison, I actually think this was a good music review.  Though you were thoroughly being an ass, I feel that it's better when writing is engaged and alive rather than dull, monotone, and vaguely praising.  I enjoyed reading it, but then again, I don't know much about journalism at all.

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