User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Turn On The Bright Lights
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Turn On The Bright Lights Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 409 Ratings

  • Summary: You won't read very many reviews of this New York band without seeing the words Joy Division pop up, and although there are some similarities, Interpol has something new to offer as well. This debut LP includes the tracks "PDA" and "NYC" from the group's well-received first single for Matador.

Top Track

Obstacle 1
I wish I could eat the salt Off of your lost faded lips We can cap the old times Make playing only logical harm We can cap the old lines Make playing... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. E! Online
    100
    For such a dark and brooding record, Turn on the Bright Lights is also unexpectedly thrilling, coasting on jagged minor-chord guitar melodies and huge emotional swells with a ton of high points along the way.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Interpol mix the propulsive sonic backgrounds and emotional swells of early-'80s post-punk with unexpected bursts of melody and their own brand of wit to create one of themost exciting new sounds of the year. [23 Aug 2002, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    90
    Plainly stated, Turn on the Bright Lights is the album modern followers of post-punk have been waiting for.
  4. Almost Cool
    80
    As a debut full-length, the group is definitely doing some excellent stuff, but like any band that gets swept up by the hype machine, you may be disappointed if you expect too much.
  5. Drawer B
    80
    Don't be fooled by the constant references to other bands. While the foundation upon which Interpol is building, certainly is borrowed, its music is not a miming act.
  6. Uncut
    70
    There's exhilaration amid the despondency, as powerful songs and a light, shoegazey sheen means they frequently soar. [Sep 2002, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    Interpol's sleek, melancholy sound is a thing of glacial beauty.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 135 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 138
  3. Negative: 1 out of 138
  1. KyleB
    Sep 24, 2004
    10
    Quite simply the best album I've ever heard. This can be confirmed by friends, who are tired of me talking about the greatness that is Interpol.
  2. michael417
    Mar 3, 2011
    10
    possibly one of the greatest albums ever recorded. everyone stop comparing them to joy division. just because paul banks sings in a baritonepossibly one of the greatest albums ever recorded. everyone stop comparing them to joy division. just because paul banks sings in a baritone voice, it does not mean he is ripping off ian curtis. it just means he sings in a baritone voice. last time i checked joy division didnt use a ton of reverb, interpol does. interpol is way more melodic than joy division. and i do not see the similarities with ok computer. yeah its a sad dark album, but i wouldnt say that sad dark albums are exclusive to radiohead. lucky, paranoid android, karma police, climbing up the walls, exit music (for a film), and no surprises sound nothing like this album. stop comparing them. even if they are "ripping them off", they ripped them off in a brilliant way. kurt cobain admitted to ripping off the pixies on nevermind, no one will argue that that album is bad. turn on the bright lights is an amazing album. end of argument… Expand
  4. jemr
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    a brilliant debut from a brilliant band. pda is the best song on the album.
  5. Drake
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    This is true Alternative Rock! Fantastic album.
  6. 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 longTurn 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.… Expand
  7. 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.
  8. JP
    Jul 9, 2005
    2
    They rip off Joy Division and OK Computer throughout and do a poor job of it. Every song on this album sounds nearly identical and the They rip off Joy Division and OK Computer throughout and do a poor job of it. Every song on this album sounds nearly identical and the singers tone throughout never gets beyond depressed. I purchased this after having a friend claim it was great, he was sadly mistaken. The key to going for a retro sound is to take what the previous bands did and change it so it becomes your own, at this Interpol failed.… Expand

See all 138 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
89 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »