Our Love To Admire
by Interpol
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2007
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. AllMusic
    60
    It feels like half of an album by a band making sure their songs that fit the mold of what they've done before, and half of an album by a band using their major-label leverage to push their boundaries.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    When it works, it's undoubtedly impressive: impressive enough, in fact, to counter the fact that Interpol are pretty light on ideas of their own.
  3. Spin
    60
    Admire feels oddly reined in, a transitional record by a band not yet willing to completely let go of the past.
  5. Pitchfork
    60
    Admire finds the band's balance shifting significantly; the rhythm players often seem more like glorified session men than integral components of a sleek post-punk machine.
  6. Dot Music
    60
    Crucially, it seems their ability to write a magisterially moving song such as "NYC" or "Obstacle No 1", both from their debut, seems to have abandoned them. In fairness, sonically speaking, this is their best effort yet.
  7. Blender
    60
    In fleshing out the contours of a sound once slavishly indebted to early-'80s titans like JD and the Smiths, they've nuanced the moods Banks moons over. Awesome for him. Only so-so for us. [August 2007, p.114]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    Here's the solid, understated third album that digs in without trying to break new ground.
  9. cokemachineglow
    54
    Even the best songs of Our Love To Admire can’t reach the boggling complexity and honesty of most anything from "Turn On The Bright Lights" (2002).
  10. PopMatters
    40
    Our Love to Admire is the perfect soundtrack for an eighth grade dance, but for actual adults who know better, it’s best to avoid this mess.
  11. Austin Chronicle
    40
    The psych guitar closing "The Scale" and "Mammoth" work well, but Our Love to Admire could use more Carlos D.'s low-end bass/keyboard flourishes. Perhaps it's time to turn the lights out.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2007
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 337 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 285 out of 337
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 337
  3. Negative: 20 out of 337
  1. alxmsn
    Jul 9, 2020
    10
    This is in my opinion Interpol's best album. Their 'OK Computer', in a way.
  2. Cobweb
    Dec 30, 2014
    10
    Interpol's best album, easily. It's nearly flawless- "Pioneer to the Falls" and "Mammoth" stand out as two of the finest tracks the band hasInterpol's best album, easily. It's nearly flawless- "Pioneer to the Falls" and "Mammoth" stand out as two of the finest tracks the band has ever recorded. Hopefully in the long run it will get the respect it deserves.… Full Review »
  3. surf1ngthevoid
    Sep 16, 2019
    9
    This one can be softer than their previous releases, but it still got some killer tracks. Can't name just few. Intensely emotional and prettyThis one can be softer than their previous releases, but it still got some killer tracks. Can't name just few. Intensely emotional and pretty solid as it is, I still thinking this is the best Interpol album to date.… Full Review »
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