In debut, Interpol turned out an instant classic

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 | 8:44 a.m.

This space is usually reserved for my thoughts on vintage recordings, albums music fans may have missed over the years and might enjoy returning to now.

The past two Fridays, for example, we've looked back at material from 1954 and 1968.

This week we break with that old-school tradition and check out something barely a year old. Released in August 2002, Interpol's "Turn On the Bright Lights" already qualifies as a modern rock classic.

And as it happens, the New York City quartet will be in Las Vegas this weekend, playing the Huntridge Theatre on Saturday night with the Warlocks and Ratatat. Doors open at 8, with tickets priced at $20.

The show is likely to attract carloads of fans from Los Angeles, who may have missed out on a pair of expected sell-outs at the Hollywood Palladium this week. Listening to the band's debut album, it's easy to see what all the fuss is about.

Online indie rock mecca Pitchfork hailed "Turn On the Bright Lights," as 2002's top CD, and I'm not sure I can find one better.

Often compared to Joy Division, Interpol seems too polished and a bit too cheery to me to fit into the same category with that seminal British post-punk outfit.

The foursome -- vocalist/guitarist Paul Banks, guitarist Daniel Kessler, bassist Carlos D. and drummer Samuel Fogarino -- blend textures that are alternately moody ("Hands Away"), poppy ("Say Hello to the Angels") and punkily upbeat ("Obstacle 1," "PDA.")

Interpol's best songs unfold dramatically, often morphing from one style into something entirely different before they end. One example is "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down," a delightfully quirky track that twists and rumbles through a series of unexpected changes before its protracted finish.

On the other end of the spectrum, the band shows off a sensitive side on the sweeping "NYC," the closest thing to a ballad on the gripping 11-track, 49-minute album.

The band has reportedly begun work on its sophomore full-length, due in 2004. Some of that material should be showcased at Saturday's show, just one more reason I'm as excited about it as anything I've seen thus far in 2003.

Pick up the album or stop by the Huntridge to discover a band you should be hearing plenty more from in the years to come.

Artist: Interpol.

Title: "Turn On the Bright Lights."

Year of release: 2002 (Matador Records).

Tracklisting: "Untitled," "Obstacle 1," "NYC," "PDA," "Say Hello to the Angels," "Hands Away," "Obstacle 2," "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down," "Roland," "The New," "Leif Erikson."