Now that all the big "New York Rock" dudes are on their second LPs, it's time to put up or shut up. Sophomore slumps are bound to happen, but not for Manhattan gloomsters Interpol: they've been able to sidestep the curse of the follow-up by decamping to Connecticut and recording another disc of catchy goth / Joy Division / postpunk / alternarock heaters. Single "Slow Hands" leads it off with a disco pulse and a sick bassline; I have no idea what "we spies / we slow hands" is supposed to mean, but it sounds cool. "Evil" is similarly bass-driven, with a nice snare shuffle on the pre-chorus that recalls Sonic Youth. The steady pulse of "Not Even Jail" and the lovers lament "C'Mere" are also top notch - so's the rest of the 10 tracks, actually. Real satisfying throughout. Recommended.

• 20th anniversary edition
• red colored vinyl
• includes printed insert
• limited edition
• original release year: 2004
• music label: Matador 2024

reviewed by Nick Catchdubs 05/2005