Antics
by Interpol
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Sep 28, 2004
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 246 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 230 out of 246
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 246
  3. Negative: 7 out of 246

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  1. harlequin
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    the best album of the year from the best (alive) band on earth. take you on a cruise is such an epic.
  2. AramisG
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    I find it hard to write a good review for something nearly perfect. I guess I should just come out and say this album rocks. Totally rocks. It gets my vote for best of the year. I downloaded Antics in July (& bought it yesterday) and have been listening to it regularly since then. In many ways the big miprovement here over TOTBL is that the mood of many of these songs isn't as I find it hard to write a good review for something nearly perfect. I guess I should just come out and say this album rocks. Totally rocks. It gets my vote for best of the year. I downloaded Antics in July (& bought it yesterday) and have been listening to it regularly since then. In many ways the big miprovement here over TOTBL is that the mood of many of these songs isn't as reminiscent of Script of the Bridge or Ian Curtis. The only beef I have with Antics is that the last song is a marginally better/different version than the original and that the album is too short (meaning I just want more new Interpol songs as soon as possible). I hope I don't have to wait too long for their next one. … Expand
  3. DonnyDon't
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    I'm going to say this, piss off the nay-sayers, and proclaim that 2004 is the best year music has had since 77. And the beauty is, unlike those popular and social changes, this revolution is soley for the music fan. It is ours to relish, worship, and feel superior to those with bad taste everywhere. I mean, look at some of the innovation coming out with LPs from Franz Ferdiand, The I'm going to say this, piss off the nay-sayers, and proclaim that 2004 is the best year music has had since 77. And the beauty is, unlike those popular and social changes, this revolution is soley for the music fan. It is ours to relish, worship, and feel superior to those with bad taste everywhere. I mean, look at some of the innovation coming out with LPs from Franz Ferdiand, The Streets, Modest Mouse, Hope of the States, and... c'mon, 37 years late we even got Smile. But as far as more modern music, Interpol deserves enough credit for it to possibly be considered their year. Not since the Smiths has a bands sense of musical style been so completely reflected by their image. We get 10 gems on this disc, and compared to their debut, this one is certainly more of an acquired taste. I appreciate it more and more with each listen, and it's even beaten out the debut in terms of immediacy. (I think I'll admit to TOTBL being a better album, but I think I persoanlly prefer Antics). Buy it. Love it. Kick your signficant lover out of bed and in their place put a CD player playing in the said space. All night long.… Expand
  4. ShaunM
    Sep 28, 2004
    9
    Who the hell would read the New York Times for music reviews anyway? This is a great album from a great band.
  5. maTMOLKROBER
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    excellent, brilliant..
  6. mariant
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    I love the whole album thats it !!:)
  7. paulbanks
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    It's interpolerrific!!!!!
  8. mahonrim
    Sep 27, 2004
    8
    granted, this could never be "brightlights," but it's a great album and brings the hits. take a deep breath and inhale the evolution.
  9. PeterM
    Sep 27, 2004
    9
    A great album. Different from "bright lights" in mood but just as addictive a few listens later.
  10. AaronR
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    Considering the immense pressure on Interpol after their near perfect debut, Antics is a miracle. Infinitely more complex then TOTBL, it's also denser, more subtle, more musically varied, and much more melodic. Not only is Antics more consistent track for track, it should also put to rest all of the inaccurate comparisons with Joy Division and the Chameleons UK. (As an enormous fan Considering the immense pressure on Interpol after their near perfect debut, Antics is a miracle. Infinitely more complex then TOTBL, it's also denser, more subtle, more musically varied, and much more melodic. Not only is Antics more consistent track for track, it should also put to rest all of the inaccurate comparisons with Joy Division and the Chameleons UK. (As an enormous fan of these early post-punk bands I have to say, honestly, that Interpol really does NOT sound like Joy Division; their music is the opposite of JDs sparse sound and circular structure) If you want a musical comparison, I think Echo and the Bunnymen's "Heaven Up Here" or the Sounds "Heads and Hearts" might be closest. Anyway, Antics somehow improves on the debut, paul Banks vocals are mixed up front this time, and the quality of the guitars is almost on par now with the ridiculously precise rythym section. This is one of the most gorgous sounding albums I can remember hearing in LONG time.… Expand
  11. Tom
    Sep 27, 2004
    9
    There is no filler on this album, every song is at least *good.* And there are 4 classics on this one (Not Even Jail, Take you on a Cruise, C'mere, and Evil). The NYC best band debate is officially closed.
  12. chrise
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    Its a great album after the darkness from TOTBL, here comes the real "bright light"..100% enjoyable
  13. KyleB
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    I personally preferred TOTBL, but I am definitely not disappointed by this album, Take You On A Cruise and Slow Hands in particular!
  14. SamB
    Sep 25, 2004
    9
    This CD is awesome. Definitely check it out if you like A) Turn on the bright lights B) The Arcade Fire and/or C) Good Music
  15. JoelT
    Sep 25, 2004
    8
    The main question with regards to the follow up of a classic debut is not whether the new album improves upon the first but whether it maintains the illusion. To get the bad news out of the way first, 'Antics' is not an improvement on '....Bright Lights' but the good news is that it has all the moves to dismiss any talk of these boys as one-trick ponies. With The main question with regards to the follow up of a classic debut is not whether the new album improves upon the first but whether it maintains the illusion. To get the bad news out of the way first, 'Antics' is not an improvement on '....Bright Lights' but the good news is that it has all the moves to dismiss any talk of these boys as one-trick ponies. With 'Antics' Interpol have played the card that ensures their position in the big time for some years to come yet. Roll on 2006 and album number three...… Expand
  16. interpolman
    Sep 24, 2004
    1
    ew
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Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Album of 2004
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2004
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. E! Online
    100
    There's something totally irresistible about Antics: The air of mystery, the bleak but hopeful arrangements and the melodies so sharp and moving that they might inspire a night of heroic partying.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    An album scored through with a vehement beauty that, with each listen, becomes all the more acute for its unwillingness to shy away from life's bleaker, more painful moments. [25 Sep 2004, p.62]
  3. Q Magazine
    90
    Antics is ridiculously good. [Oct 2004, p.112]
See all critic reviews »