If you spend enough time listening to music, there will inevitably come a point at which everything sounds like something else. That New Politicians sound like a stack of bands I’ve heard before doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a belting album, because it so happens to sounds like many of my favourite bands all rolled together, and of course, what really matters is that they’ve got some fantastic songs.
Although much has been made of Interpol’s likeness to Joy Division, I’ve never been in complete agreement, especially over the idea that Paul Banks has effectively clones Ian Curtis’ vocal tones. Still, New Politicians draw on both Joy Division and Interpol’s filtering of the band that has become the most seminal of all of the acts to emerge from the UK post-punk scene. As you’ve probably surmised by now, ‘Remission’ is a dark, stark, reverb-heavy set dominated by chiming, interweaving guitars and a haunted baritone vocal. Singer Renal Anthony has that slightly twangy tone in common with Banks, and the New Jersey foursome have a clearly defined sound that they explore in full on this mini-album’s seven tracks.
‘Been in the Wars’ soars while fizzing with an urgent energy. It calls to mind Editors when they first emerged on the scene with ‘Bullets’ and ‘Munich’, while ‘Images’ is Interpol at their most Joy Division: heavily reminiscent of ‘The Specialist’, long shadows of the starkness of ‘Unknown Pleasures’ are laced with the dark overtones of ‘Turn on the Bright Lights’ while the martial drum sound of New Order’s ‘Movement’ complete the song’s cold and penetratingly bleak atmosphere. ‘Sticks and stones will break your bones, words will hurt like hell,’ singer Renal Anthony reflects from amidst a cold wash of reverb.
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The seven-minute title track begins with a chiming, reverb-laden guitar lifted straight off I Like Trains’ ‘Progress Reform’ before breaking into a vast chorus. Beneath the sonic haze, there’s a meandering, muzzy prog feel, and an indication that this is a band with a whole lot more to offer yet.
New Politicians Online
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