Turn On The Bright Lights
by Interpol
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Aug 20, 2002
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 409 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 377 out of 409
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 409
  3. Negative: 30 out of 409

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  1. JackM
    Mar 21, 2006
    10
    Awesome Band....They are what I wish U2 had evoled into in the early 90's.
  2. jake
    Aug 18, 2006
    10
    Best album of 2002
  3. RJMcClaine
    Jan 28, 2007
    10
    utterly brilliant. best album in a long, long time (and i mean "album" in the truest sense). if your love of music gets shaken often, as mine does, this will reconfirm it. and don't buy that joy division/chameleons/echo and the bunnymen comparison crap; interpol is far and away more powerful and driving, thanks in large part to the genius rythym section. do yourself a favor and buy this.
  4. Edward
    May 12, 2007
    10
    Dark, brooding and emotional. Just the way I like it! A thrilling debut! The best post-punk album I've ever heard.
  5. Smith
    May 21, 2007
    10
    Brillaint!
  6. AdamR.
    May 28, 2007
    9
    Interpol has a fresh perspective on what seemed like a tired (and over saturated) sub genre of rock.
  7. DevinR.
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    A little dark and dreary but oh so awesome throughout! A killer album from a killer band.
  8. JoeT
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    I truly hope they're able to reach the heights of this majestic debut (or even surpass them) ...on day.
  9. TaniaG
    Jul 19, 2007
    10
    epic.
  10. jamesa.
    Jan 27, 2009
    9
    This band has been growing on me lately in a great way, and this album amongst their others is also tremendouse ! It's a shame people are to narrow minded to discover brilliant music and Vocals like what's on offer here with "Bright Lights". beutifully epic!
  11. AC
    Dec 29, 2006
    10
    A fantastic album from start to finish, clearly destined for classic status. Without a doubt, the best album I've heard in years & also one of the best I've ever heard in my entire life. Yeah, is that good. This band is here to stay. "Turn On The Bright Lights", is a modern masterpiece. Also check out there 2nd LP, "Antics" which is just as good.
  12. Glowguy
    Dec 12, 2014
    10
    Sometimes as an adult you go back and revisit things 10 years later that you almost completely forgot about. Fortunately I did that today. This album still holds up amazingly well in 2014. It's one of my favorite albums ever released and it really broadened my horizons when I was just stating to branch out and listen to some new things. They kind of doomed themselves in a way bySometimes as an adult you go back and revisit things 10 years later that you almost completely forgot about. Fortunately I did that today. This album still holds up amazingly well in 2014. It's one of my favorite albums ever released and it really broadened my horizons when I was just stating to branch out and listen to some new things. They kind of doomed themselves in a way by releasing something so great as a debut - they could never hope to live up to it and their following releases always left me feeling disappointed. Interpol is not one of my favorite bands but this album ranks at the top as far as debuts go. In my opinion it has the best one two opening punch of any record and the final four songs are equally as impressive. Truly superb guitar layering, tone changes, and propulsive rhythms have a really hypnotic effect.… Expand
  13. Chegg180
    Mar 19, 2011
    9
    Such a great album, draws you in at certain times and then has you take a step back .Timeless classic which, though does have elements of Joy Division within, is a nice deviation from the norm of post-punk revivalists.
  14. d_nasty
    May 10, 2011
    8
    A bit overrated but still somewhat of a modern post punk classic. The lyrics are a bit silly or nonsensical and that's usually a problem with me but for some reason it works with this album. Tracks like "Obstacle 1" "NYC" and "Leif Ericson" are just beautiful and make you wonder why this band couldn't go on forever.
  15. RoverJones
    May 28, 2011
    10
    The lyrics can be very very awkward, but I get the feeling that it's intentional. It is tough, however, to find an album with soooooo many brilliant hooks. "Obstacle 1," "PDA," "Say Hello to the Angels," "Stella...," "Hands Away," and "Obstacle 2" have got to be some of the most amazing rock hooks ever put on record, while the rest of the album is enticing in an ethereal, hypnotic (and IThe lyrics can be very very awkward, but I get the feeling that it's intentional. It is tough, however, to find an album with soooooo many brilliant hooks. "Obstacle 1," "PDA," "Say Hello to the Angels," "Stella...," "Hands Away," and "Obstacle 2" have got to be some of the most amazing rock hooks ever put on record, while the rest of the album is enticing in an ethereal, hypnotic (and I mean extremely hypnotic) way. Simply put, what. a. **** record.… Expand
  16. Palp
    May 26, 2012
    10
    Turn On The Bright Lights is a brilliant and complex album, both lyrically and instrumentally. I can't believe that it has taken me this long to start listening to Interpol, but I'm very glad that I gave this band a chance. This is about as good a debut album as I have ever heard.
  17. Ricko
    May 27, 2017
    10
    Wow - not just one of the great debut records but one of the great albums full stop. "Turn On The Bright Lights" is a must for lovers of indie rock. The Joy Division influences are there but despite their innovation and groundbreaking, I think Interpol have produced something that is better than anything the Manchester band ever did. Interpol took the dark, brooding indie guitar genre to aWow - not just one of the great debut records but one of the great albums full stop. "Turn On The Bright Lights" is a must for lovers of indie rock. The Joy Division influences are there but despite their innovation and groundbreaking, I think Interpol have produced something that is better than anything the Manchester band ever did. Interpol took the dark, brooding indie guitar genre to a whole new level on this record. Every track is brilliant from start to finish. Really captures the atmosphere of night time in a big city especially somewhere like NYC. 15 years on and the band are still trying to hit the peak of their debut.There hasn't been many records released since that better this.… Expand
  18. njestyle
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    all i have to say is Interpol's Turn On The Bright Lights, is Number 2 on my personal top 100 albums of all time... now that has to say something right??
  19. sudheervemuru
    Jul 19, 2012
    10
    Anyone with a decent sized attention span and an appreciation for how an album sounds as a whole has to consider Interpol's debut one of the decade's best.
  20. ReubenIsAGod
    Dec 29, 2013
    10
    The Album to me is basically black comedy, Its dark, downright depressing yet despite the overwhelming flow of bitter sweet agony you cant help but grin, this showing your morbid sense of entertainment and joy, making u laugh in a fit of sweet delight knowing that someone out their is WAY worse then you. Ohh and tracks are rather Catchy 2
    -Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights: 10/10
  21. quidster4040
    Apr 3, 2013
    10
    One of the finest recordings of the 2000s, and easily the greatest rock/alternative album recorded in the 2000s decade. The album is hauntingly simplistic that creates a mesmerizing aura about living in high-octane New York City.
  22. SteveBackMeta
    Nov 14, 2013
    8
    An excellent debut record from the NYC indie post-punk revivalists. Most of the lyrics are poor, worth disregarding entirely in fact. The gloomy, unsettling music more than compensates, and there are also enough unexpected left-turns in the songwriting structures to reward repeated listens, such as the double-chorus in "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down", and the excellent bridgeAn excellent debut record from the NYC indie post-punk revivalists. Most of the lyrics are poor, worth disregarding entirely in fact. The gloomy, unsettling music more than compensates, and there are also enough unexpected left-turns in the songwriting structures to reward repeated listens, such as the double-chorus in "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down", and the excellent bridge in "PDA". "Obstacle 1" boasts one of the most unnerving moments in modern music, with the scary line "stabbing yourself in the neck" surrounded by deep-throat guitars. It's very effective. Much better than Editors for obvious reasons, partly because here, they sound like Interpol, not trying to force a Joy Division clone out of limited talent.… Expand
  23. normankant
    Aug 4, 2014
    10
    This album is a masterpiece of 2000's. It is the best album of that decade and one of the greatest of all time.
    There are guitars, playing elegant and sad melodies, being soft, hard, gentle, raw.
    There's an incredible drumming through it, Sam Fogarino plays the drums with an unmistakable emotive style, his style. There are unforgettable bass lines, played by one of the best bassist of    This album is a masterpiece of 2000's. It is the best album of that decade and one of the greatest of all time.
    There are guitars, playing elegant and sad melodies, being soft, hard, gentle, raw.
    There's an incredible drumming through it, Sam Fogarino plays the drums with an unmistakable emotive style, his style.
    There are unforgettable bass lines, played by one of the best bassist of our times, Carlos Dengler, and there's the melancholic moving voice of Paul Banks.
    This is an expressionist record, emotions flows through it from start to finish. When you put it on and the first track, Untitled, begins to play, you already feel the talent, the beauty and the uniqueness contained in what you're hearing. These things won't disappear during the listen and when you'll have finished to hear the last track, the love for Interpol will be filling your heart.    … Expand
  24. Radiohead2000
    Jul 23, 2015
    10
    Perfect. Absolutely perfect, the eeriness, the beautiful dark sound, it's one of the best albums of the 21st century. The blends of so many great bands like The Smiths, Joy Division and other great bands makes this album so unique.
  25. bobbybean
    May 28, 2016
    10
    As a big fan of Joy Division; I cannot seem to find the similarities between them and Interpol. This album is a masterpiece from beginning to end. I don't think they'll ever be able to top this album in the near future. It's simply the best piece of any alternative music you will ever hear. Interpol is a great band and I hope to see them make new and exciting albums in the future.
  26. thegetaway
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    Such a flawless, mesmerising masterpiece, that for me, really encapsulates what living in the early 2000s felt like.
  27. coreymagz
    Aug 20, 2016
    10
    Interpol's 2002 critical hit is one to remember. It is a perfect album. Between mesmerizing production and Bank's stylish and slick wordplay, the debut album rocketed the New York alt rock band into stardom.
  28. didi_robles23
    Jul 30, 2018
    10
    An album that you can listen to from beginning to end. You really enjoy all the songs. My favorite and I consider that it is the best within the genre of alternative rock.
  29. KlDS
    Jun 14, 2018
    10
    I don't over exaggerate when i say this album is one of the best albums of the last 20 years, and for people who say it rips off Radiohead and Joy Division...have you even **** listened too EITHER of those bands?
  30. DCMusicFan
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    Oh, how I miss the indie rock of the 2000s! No really I do.

    (I don't care about the emo stuff or ringtone rap in that decade though.)
  31. Chris182
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    (7.5/10). This is my favourite Interpol album (basic i know) for many reasons. It captures the New York City post-punk attitude perfectly. I do not love this thing like many people do but i have alot of respect for it.
    Best Songs: Obstacle 1, Obstacle 2, PDA, The New, Say Hello to Angels
    Worst Songs: Stella Was a Diver, NYC, Leif Erikson
  32. KurtCobainsDick
    May 20, 2021
    10
    Honestly one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. The album is perfect if you’re seeking for a melancholic sound.
  33. pivallejo11
    Jun 20, 2021
    10
    Perfect album. Honestly the only 10 I have ever given. This album has marked me in a way no other album has. I am so obsessed with it I wrote an entire essay of 4,000 words analyzing this masterpiece in depth.
  34. deax
    Jul 23, 2022
    9
    I was kinda skeptical of this album in the beggining, but it grew on me eventually. And I have to say, It's really good.
  35. blumpy18
    Feb 19, 2023
    10
    This album's songs are absolutely astonishing. The first half of the album is thrilling and exciting, and the second half is depressing and bittersweet. This album and their second album, "Antics" may have been the peak of their career, it's good enough to keep you listening. Unforgettable record
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2002
4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2002
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    It sounds like the Ramones covering OK Computer. It's also one of the best debuts of the year.
    Read full review
  2. Blender
    60
    Bright Lights isn't a trudging soundtrack to depression; it's laced with upbeat, albeit bittersweet, songwriting. [#9, p.148]
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    Predictably claustrophobic listening.... When they come up for air, Interpol have the tunes to match all the mannered gloom. [Sep 2002, p.107]
See all critic reviews »