Monday, 23 July 2007

Interpol: Our Love To Admire

Wherever you stand on the great debate you have to admire this

Amid all the furore over Interpol's return, one thing's been absent from the debate: their
music. There's been little discussion as to whether their new material is actually any
good.

Though recorded for the first time with an outside producer - Rich Costey, the man who
ramped-up Muse's space-rock aspirations on 'Black Holes & Revelations' - 'Our Love To
Admire' is not exactly a departure. Instead, the band's third album plunges straight back
into a world of brooding nighthawks, seedy streets and dark corners lit by violent neon
blasts.

So far, so familiar. But listen more closely and subtle differences become apparent. The
first album they've recorded in New York, the songs ripple with the metroplis' energy;
'The Heinrich Maneuver' swings with a hip-shaking urgency; 'Mammoth' pounds
unrelentingly, but fosters a hopeful soul in its violent heart; the twitching 'Who Do You
Think' urgently speeds through empty streets.

There are shades and depths too: 'Rest My Chemistry' is a stately mix of wisdom and
regret, while touching closer 'The Lighthouse' finds Interpol sounding unexpectedly
vulnerable and open.
But 'Our Love To Admire' finds its true strength as a whole. From its opening notes to its
final breath, the album's enveloping atmospherics seep into the senses, giving the
everyday a film noir quality.

So make a fuss over their return, but let it be for this reason: Interpol have made a great
album.

Paul Stokes

Questions 1-5 on NME’s Review of ‘Interpol’.

1. What does Paul Stokes say to show he is annoyed with all the ‘hype’
surrounding the band ‘Interpol’?

______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)

2. How do we know that ‘Interpol’s’ new album is similar to their last one?

______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)

3. Write two phrases that show Paul Stokes likes this album.

First
Phrase:_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)

Second
Phrase:_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)
4. Explain why you think Paul Stokes mentioned that the band ‘Muse’s’
producer also produced this album.

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__________________________________________ (1Mark)

5. List two phrases that suggest this band writes fast or loud music.

First
Phrase:_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)

Second
Phrase:_______________________________________________________

__________________________________________ (1Mark)

Questions 6-12 on Q’s Review of Bob Marley.

6. List three things from the article that show the reader Bob Marley is
infamous.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

(3 Marks)

7. What phrase is used to suggest Marley started writing his songs as soon
as he came to England in paragraph 5?

______________________________________________________(1 Mark)

8. What does Rupert Howe (the author) mean when he says ‘Marley crossed
over from local hero to a virtual ambassador for reggae outside the West
Indies.’?
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

(2 Marks)

9. How many songs did Bob Marley record after he had moved to London?

__________________________________________________(1 mark)

10. Discuss how throughout the whole article, Rupert Howe shows the reader
that he is a fan of Bob Marley and this album.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________

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________________________________(5 Marks)

11. What is the release date of the album ‘Exodus’?

___________________________________________________(1 Mark)

12. Explain what is meant by the phrase in the last paragraph ‘it still shines as
the pinnacle of Marley’s musical ambitions?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

________________________________

(2 Marks)