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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. ScottM
    May 2, 2005
    10
    Electrifying. Passionate. Awesome.
  5. 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.
  6. RossH
    Apr 2, 2006
    10
    One of, if not the best album ever.
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. Drake
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    This is true Alternative Rock! Fantastic album.
  10. Mikec
    Jan 6, 2008
    10
    Amazing debut.
  11. XY
    Oct 8, 2008
    10
    Album of the decade.
  12. zaja
    Sep 14, 2008
    10
    Just wanted to contribute another 10 score. one of the very, very few true 10.0 records.
  13. RedCat
    Apr 16, 2004
    10
    The most beautiful and thrilling sound and the most sophisticated and moving lyrics. A classic.
  14. 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!
  15. 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
  16. CarlosCarlitos
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    greeeat CD
  17. 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
  18. DarcyC
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    Absolutely incredible album, right from the stunning untitled opener to the final note of leif erikson. Amazing album, in today's music it's hard to find albums with a solid set of excellent songs all the way through.
  19. FrankJ
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    A Masterpiece, nuff said.
  20. DontrelleJ
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    My favorite album of all-time, which is saying alot, considering there are so many albums that I truly love but this is 1# for me. I love this band with a passion! These guys are musical genuises. Buy this and there 2nd LP, before there highly anticipated follow-up comes out in June.
  21. SlayJ
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    I'm going to admit something very shocking... I hated this album at first. I don't know I just couldn't get into it for some reason. I think it was the fact that it was so dark and depressing and I'm a very happy person, so basically there was alot clashing there. But now I can't live without...it's a beautiful record. It took me about 6, 7 listens to fully I'm going to admit something very shocking... I hated this album at first. I don't know I just couldn't get into it for some reason. I think it was the fact that it was so dark and depressing and I'm a very happy person, so basically there was alot clashing there. But now I can't live without...it's a beautiful record. It took me about 6, 7 listens to fully realize how brilliant this was and also see how talented each member on the band truly was. Since then, I think I've listened to this about 163 times (I've keeped count) and this came out 5 years ago and try to listen to it as often as I can. This is by far one of the finest albums in the history of music. TOTBL is a Landmark title.… Expand
  22. EdgarH
    Apr 30, 2007
    10
    My favorite album of all-time! This is why I love music.
  23. Thompson
    May 6, 2007
    10
    Dark and poetic. Great, great album.
  24. MC
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    TOTBL is just so endearing. It's impossible not to love.
  25. DK.
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    Incredible! A definite contender for best album of all-time.
  26. AshleyC.
    Jun 7, 2007
    10
    The sonic textures and dark, brooding stuff are what they do best. As good as Antics was, it was probably a bit too poppy and hook-oriented for its own good. I hope the new album is a return to the depth of TOTBL
  27. MarcH
    Jul 3, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums I have ever heard. Simply brilliant. I have listened to it probably 100 times and it never gets old.
  28. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    This is an awesome album, reminiscent of Radiohead's Ok Computer while retaining its own marvelously ambiguous identity.
  29. KyleL
    Feb 3, 2008
    10
    Great the whole way through!
  30. HugoM
    Jul 29, 2009
    10
    This album does deserve a 10 . .completely underrated these reviews.
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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 »