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. 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 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 thepossibly 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
  2. SilverMan
    Jun 10, 2012
    9
    Why are you users talking just about Joy Division and Radiohead? In fact I really found offensive when someone was talking about OK Computer. Turn On... and OK Computer have nothing in common!! TELEVISION!! Does someone remember this band? Maybe the first band to create melodies based on two guitars? This is the main influence for every indie rock band in the world, specially for Interpol.Why are you users talking just about Joy Division and Radiohead? In fact I really found offensive when someone was talking about OK Computer. Turn On... and OK Computer have nothing in common!! TELEVISION!! Does someone remember this band? Maybe the first band to create melodies based on two guitars? This is the main influence for every indie rock band in the world, specially for Interpol. And the "depressive" sensation? It came from Joy Division, obviously. Forget Radiohead! This is a totally different topic...… Expand
  3. 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 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 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
  4. NiklasP.
    Aug 24, 2002
    5
    Fairly OK for a band that rips flesh off Joy Division and Radiohead, mixes it up and serves it to the masses. This works wonders in the current musical climate, where (in my opinion) bands either go for old styles (White Stripes) or newer old styles (The Strokes), so this is a bit newer still. with some good results. I say: get the Joy Division box "Heart and Soul", it's worth the Fairly OK for a band that rips flesh off Joy Division and Radiohead, mixes it up and serves it to the masses. This works wonders in the current musical climate, where (in my opinion) bands either go for old styles (White Stripes) or newer old styles (The Strokes), so this is a bit newer still. with some good results. I say: get the Joy Division box "Heart and Soul", it's worth the money and it will blow Interpol away.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. nash
    Feb 4, 2009
    10
    One of the few albums that does DERSERVE a 10. A great album and the darkest of the collection. Not one weak track in the whole album.
  7. JoshR.
    Sep 14, 2002
    9
    People who compare Interpol to Joy Division haven't listened to enough music. Just because Paul Banks sings in a baritone doesn't mean he's ripping off Ian Curtis. This is a great, pretty original record, and it is *not* "a history lesson" as some have claimed. Buy it and listen with open ears -- one of the best of 2002.
  8. 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.
  9. ScottM
    May 2, 2005
    10
    Electrifying. Passionate. Awesome.
  10. ZakT
    Mar 23, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest albums i've ever purchased. I am writing this more than a year after i initially bought the album and i think the album is better now than i ever did.
  11. RossH
    Apr 2, 2006
    10
    One of, if not the best album ever.
  12. davidr
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    WOW. After more than 3 years, this album keeps on delivering. One of my faves. And there are probably at most 3 songs which would remind you slightly of Ian Curtis' Joy Division (after someone primes you to look for the influence), but the rest is an original time warp into the post punk era.
  13. DD
    Apr 8, 2007
    10
    The more I listen to this album, the more I realize how brilliant Interpol is and how there the best band in the world. Period. They do everything right and sound amazing doing it. How can you not love this band? These guys are so passionate about what they do. And you can't say that about that many bands out there right now. "Turn On The Bright Lights" is a masterpiece, the best The more I listen to this album, the more I realize how brilliant Interpol is and how there the best band in the world. Period. They do everything right and sound amazing doing it. How can you not love this band? These guys are so passionate about what they do. And you can't say that about that many bands out there right now. "Turn On The Bright Lights" is a masterpiece, the best album I've heard in a long, long time and PDA has to be one of the best songs ever written. I also recommend "Antics" which is another masterpiece by them.There third album has alot to live up to but... I know I won't be dissapointed.… Expand
  14. Drake
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    This is true Alternative Rock! Fantastic album.
  15. Mikec
    Jan 6, 2008
    10
    Amazing debut.
  16. XY
    Oct 8, 2008
    10
    Album of the decade.
  17. zaja
    Sep 14, 2008
    10
    Just wanted to contribute another 10 score. one of the very, very few true 10.0 records.
  18. S.S.
    Oct 2, 2002
    9
    Rich dark sound. Yes.. there are definitely heavy Joy Division influences, but all music is built upon the past.
  19. eddys
    Oct 6, 2002
    8
    At first it appears all grey and retro, but when you look and listen more intently, the brighter shades and individuality shine through.
  20. joeyl
    Mar 5, 2003
    9
    Yeah. Despite being an intense Joy Division fan who was at first horrified by the reports of Joy Division ripoff, when I heard this album I loved it. At times, they reach the immense heights (or is it depths?) of Joy Division's music. At other times, they achieve their very own brand of dark perfection. Impeccable guitar work, understated and hypnotic, tight arrangements, Yeah. Despite being an intense Joy Division fan who was at first horrified by the reports of Joy Division ripoff, when I heard this album I loved it. At times, they reach the immense heights (or is it depths?) of Joy Division's music. At other times, they achieve their very own brand of dark perfection. Impeccable guitar work, understated and hypnotic, tight arrangements, spinetingling vocals, and lyrics that include such gems as "the subway is a porno" and "I can't pretend I don't need to defend some part of me from you". A stunning debut. I look forward to great things from this group. (and those of you who don't already own it, need to buy Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division and hear what all the fuss is about).… Expand
  21. davidd
    Jan 3, 2004
    9
    Excellent disc. Tense, dark, and beautiful.
  22. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    9
    Since I don't own a Joy Division album (though 'Closer' is atop my want list at the moment), I'm not burdened with comparing Interpol to them. Looked at on its own, this album stands tall. Brooding and morose... perfect for an overcast fall morning. Or better yet... at sunset.
  23. rpggrrrl
    Feb 7, 2004
    8
    This album is delightfully dark and tense and yet it has a heartbeat. It's like a big fat beautiful post-punk orgy. It's a first album so there are a couple of weak tracks, overall it's a keeper.
  24. RedCat
    Apr 16, 2004
    10
    The most beautiful and thrilling sound and the most sophisticated and moving lyrics. A classic.
  25. WH
    May 26, 2004
    9
    simply flawless.
  26. mr.bocf
    May 30, 2004
    9
    i love this album. i guess it spinned for at least the 100th time today. not that the album is perfect but the atmosphere at times is pure genius like in the 11th track leif ericson.
  27. ArinF
    Aug 14, 2004
    10
    Interpol is the one of the few bands out today that can have a record that you can listen to front to back. They have accomplished something not many bands have with their own unique sound. Paul Banks is a genius writer.GO Interpol!
  28. JacquesDerrida
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    What more is there to say about this album? From the opening virtually instrumental Untitled to the brooding closer Leif Erikson, Banks and Co. hit every emotional and phonic level possible. And regarding the Joy Divison debate, yes the voice is similar, but the overall aesthetic is not. Interpol's sound is much more full, and prominently features the duelling guitars of Kessler and What more is there to say about this album? From the opening virtually instrumental Untitled to the brooding closer Leif Erikson, Banks and Co. hit every emotional and phonic level possible. And regarding the Joy Divison debate, yes the voice is similar, but the overall aesthetic is not. Interpol's sound is much more full, and prominently features the duelling guitars of Kessler and Banks. A classic album the height of which will be very difficult to reach again.… Expand
  29. CarlosCarlitos
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    greeeat CD
  30. JoeR
    Jan 5, 2007
    10
    Hands down, my favorite cd of all time. Every song will at one point or another grab hold of you and not let you go (PDA, Untitled, Leif Erickson, and NYC especially). This is not a cd to be taken lightly, for it will forever change the way you view music
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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 »