Turn On the Bright Lights is the debut studio album by American rock band Interpol. It was released in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2002, and in the United States the following day, through independent record label Matador Records. The album was recorded in November 2001 at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and was co-produced, mixed and engineered by Peter Katis and Gareth Jones. The title derives from a recurring lyric in the song "NYC".
Upon release, the record peaked at No. 101 on the UK Albums Chart. It reached No. 158 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, as well as spending 73 weeks on the Billboard Independent Albums chart, peaking at No. 5. The songs "PDA", "Obstacle 1" and the double A-side single "Say Hello to the Angels" / "NYC" were released as singles, with music videos being shot for all except "Say Hello to the Angels".
Only thing more surprising than the fact that this wasn't on the original list is the fact that it took 2 years for somebody to submit it onto the user list.
Classic. One of the best post-punk albums of the 2000s.
Turn On the Bright Lights is one of my favorite indie rock albums. The songs like "PDA", "NYC" and "Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down" do not have an uplifting atmosphere and sound like Ian Curtis has risen from the dead. Mostly because the usage of the same melodic bass guitar play (Peter Hook) as Joy Division.
Really solid album that definitely had its influence felt in the early 21st century so seems pretty appropriate to suggest it for this list. I probably listened to this around when it was released because it is the kind of thing one of my best friends at the time enjoyed. I enjoyed it more today - I think all this album listening is expanding my horizons.
Another album I’m convinced was on the original list, and can’t believe has taken so long to pop up on the user list. One of the best from 00’s indie era. Already in my frequent rotation.
Absolutely solid post-punk rock, but somehow fails to quite reach my heart. Maybe it's that New York thing, the complete assurance that one is in and of the center of the world. Which doesn't explain how I can love Lou Reed so much, but hey I contain multitudes etc.
I know the knock on these dudes is that they sound like Joy Division, but like…if you discount the vocal style, this tracks pretty close to a Sonic Youth record in a lot of spots.
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