El Pintor
by Interpol
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Sep 9, 2014
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
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  1. NOW Magazine
    Sep 11, 2014
    60
    The songs are excellent in their own right, but when they’re all lined up, Interpol start seeming like a one-trick pony.
  2. No Ripcord
    Sep 8, 2014
    60
    El Pintor isn’t a rekindling of old fires, more so a chilled, mutual acceptance from a band that is letting things roll as smoothly as can be.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 8, 2014
    60
    There are precious few real surprises, then, but that's not a problem.
  5. Exclaim
    Sep 5, 2014
    60
    While El Pintor is no Turn on the Bright Lights or Antics, the record finds Interpol climbing out of their mediocre rut, slowly but surely.
  6. Under The Radar
    Sep 5, 2014
    60
    El Pintor is an Interpol album that does exactly what it says on the tin, with no alarms and no surprises.
  7. Pitchfork
    Sep 8, 2014
    59
    With El Pintor, Interpol don’t sound as much like Interpol as they do a band that really wants to be Interpol; it’s a sad notion for anyone who once held this band’s music dear to their hearts, but taking into account what came before, it’s a miracle that Interpol still exist in this capacity at all.
  8. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 8, 2014
    50
    As welcome as this debut was at the time, and as arguably relevant as its topoi of absence and alienation are to us all, there’s something very disquieting about a band that, four albums later, is obstinately continuing to mine its somber wellsprings.
  9. Magnet
    Sep 18, 2014
    45
    Sadly, "Everything Is Wrong" announces another second-half fade, the back side congealing into the same zombie histrionics that sank Interpol. [No. 113, p.57]
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Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2014
57
#57 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 145 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 128 out of 145
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 145
  3. Negative: 5 out of 145
  1. Noiseblock
    Sep 9, 2014
    10
    Interpol is at a new peak. El Pintor is like a pleasant combination of the ,,TOTBL"-styled use of guitar and the splendid, yet ominousInterpol is at a new peak. El Pintor is like a pleasant combination of the ,,TOTBL"-styled use of guitar and the splendid, yet ominous songwriting of Our Love to admire. There are several new, thrilling experiments on the old and time-tested Interpol-esque sounds, most prominent on Same Town, New Story and Twice as hard. Interpol tries new, more eclectronic based approaches and gets rewarded for it. It´s definitely Interpol at core, but still not the same Interpol everyone expected. A splendid album.

    (PS: The Tiny Mix Tapes-Review is the most biased review of an album i´ve read so far. if you want to write a good, yet critical review, look at the one the critic on Pitchfork wrote. I just felt the need to say that.)    … Full Review »
  2. EdgarRubio
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    In my opinion El Pintor is not a "return to form" as a lot of people say. Interpol didn't lose the form, they just evolved into somethingIn my opinion El Pintor is not a "return to form" as a lot of people say. Interpol didn't lose the form, they just evolved into something quieter and more atmospheric.
    This album is just a proof that they can go back to an upbeat sound without losing the charm and the elegance.
    But I differ from all the people (and critics) saying this is Interpol going back to their roots. The album doesn't even sound like ToTBL. It kind of sounds like the album that should have been released between Antics and OLTA.

    I might be one of the few Interpol fans that think that Antics is better than ToTBL, and as a fan of the band I think El Pintor is at the same level of those two records.    … Full Review »
  3. WXYZ
    Sep 9, 2014
    10
    Simply beautiful. They have gone back to their old style and have made an album either almost equal to, or just a second version of "Turn onSimply beautiful. They have gone back to their old style and have made an album either almost equal to, or just a second version of "Turn on the Bright Lights".… Full Review »
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