Interpol and the INCREDIBLE Moses Leroy

By Alisha Stamper

Interpol

nterpol and I first met through a mix cd. The maker had included a track and left it untitled, having received it untitled from another friend on a mix cd. I was obsessed with that song (and too broke in college to go in search of more). I later found out the song is literally "untitled", track one of Turn On the Bright Lights (2002, debut album for the band). The lyrics were magic. "I'll surprise you sometime,.... when you're down." Maybe it was life at the time, having friends that unknowingly were there, without the peppy crap, and the song just stuck. Now that I have all their albums, I have more favorites to recommend, and a broader sense of why their music is different and stands so very far apart from the rest of the stuff out there. Let's allow a fan reviewer on Amazon say it:

"Interpol create literate, atmospheric, moody, trashy post-punk music that recalls '80s faves the Psychedelic Furs. And this is definitely a good thing. While most young bands are content to rhyme "make it" with "fake it," Interpol pens melodramatic tales of tortured and tortuous urban relationships that are truly refreshing. Like their peers the Strokes, they're bright, sophisticated, and meticulous enough to build stirring soundscapes. Turn On the Bright Lights is a must for anyone who missed the Bunnymen, the Furs, and Joy Division the first time around."

If that isn't enough to steer you in their deserving direction for good, listen to these fantastic songs: "Evil" and "Public Pervert" from Antics... who am I kidding? The whole album is listen-worthy!

The Incredible Moses Leroy

Electric Pocket Radio (2001) is a smile and sunshine in disc form. Eclectic, American Bandstand-inspired, it is still far and away separate from anything else I've ever heard. The songs are busy, but so completely interconnected without sounding fake or overworked. As the name implies, there is definitely an electronic, raw "pocket-radio" feel, complete with added background static. Its a little touch that is possibly unnoticed, but it makes a difference. The songs have a strong melodic tone with a keen balance for the supporting vocals and instrumental accompaniment.

Ron Fountenberry "is" the Incredible Moses Leroy. Incredible is a nod to his love of comic books, while Moses Leroy is the name of his great-grandfather, a civil rights activist. Fountenberry's voice is reminiscent of the great African American swooners of the 60's and 70's. See a fantastic biography on Ron Fountenberry here. He has moved on to form a group called The Softlightes. Some favorites:

• "1983" (There is something about proclaiming that "love with always reign" and calling on people who experienced things with you in life to remember, and be happy about, your memories of great things. This song is MAGIC.)
• "It's a Sunday" (Thank-you, Mr. Fountenberry, for describing a "lovely" sunday. I completely agree!)
• "My best friend" (If this doesn't describe how ALL of us feel when we're with our absolute best friend, I don't think anything can)

ENJOY!