Turn On the Bright Lights

Revisiting a classic fall album, plus more Tuesday picks

Thanks for joining me here for another dispatch of my twice-weekly music and menswear newsletter, which is different (but somewhat the same) as my daily style blog from which it gets its name. Thanks for reading!

As I write this from Brooklyn, we’re going through one of the first truly blustery, rainy nights this fall, a bit of a change from my recent trip to lovely Kentucky. It’s not all bad, though — just as visiting the clear blue coastline of Michigan reminds me of home state favorites Lord Huron, this kind of rainy weather always pushes me to revisit one band and one album in particular, and that’d be the 2002 post-punk classic “Turn On the Bright Lights” by NYC rockers Interpol. It was rightly acclaimed as a modern epic when it was released (and it’s certainly one heck of a debut album). It was also recorded, fittingly enough, in November 2001 in the midst of a Northeast fall. It’s also dark and moody, and perhaps best enjoyed while sipping some whiskey. All in all, it’s a great record for a rainy Tuesday night, and we’ll dive into some complementary picks alongside it.

What To Listen To This Week: “Turn On the Bright Lights” By Interpol

Led by intense and stylish lead singer Paul Banks (who perhaps unfairly draws comparisons to Ian Curtis of Joy Division), Interpol has always had a highly distinct, speedy, intricately woven sound built on the backs of some seriously cool guitar work from Daniel Kessler and former bassist Carlos D. The band is still a treat to see live (including when I saw them play Madison Square Garden in 2019), and this record remains a gem, at times slow and dirge-like and at other times spiky and propulsive. It sounds like New York City, it’s been praised for its power and although Pitchfork recently “re-evaluated” this album and gave it a lower rating, it remains — to me — a near-perfect gem. Personal highlights include the sweetly sad “The New” and the immense “Leif Erikson,” to name just two.

It always helps when a band sticks to its signature sound, and given that Interpol is recording a new album right now, I don’t see that changing any time soon. Beyond that, well, I always appreciate when a band knows how to dress very well in addition to onstage talent. Here’s some Interpol-inspired menswear coming your way in 3…2…1…

What To Shop This Week: Edwin Maddox Slim Jeans

Interpol are as famous for the band’s commitment to an all-black wardrobe and tailoring as they are for the band’s atmospheric, fast-paced rock music (it’s one of the reasons I love them, as luck would have it). To wear to your next rock concert or simply a night on the town, these classic slim black jeans are cool, crisp and surely Paul Banks-approved. Plus, you can even wear them to the office with a white Oxford shirt and tan Chelsea boots for a nice blend of high-low style. If you do decide to wear ‘em out on the town, perhaps you’ll be sipping on a nice whiskey this fall and winter, yes? On that note, I think I know just what you need to sip this week.

What To Sip This Week: Legent Bourbon

Especially on blustery fall evenings, I like to either seek out — or make myself — a nice Old Fashioned or pour up a simple dram of whiskey. Lately, I’ve been gravitating towards Legent Bourbon, which you might have read about on my daily blog. It’s an ingenious and delicious blend of Kentucky straight bourbon finished in wine and sherry casks, making for a pleasingly complex sipper on a chilly autumn night. It’s also ideal to get delivered to your door via Drizly this holiday season, and you might even want to consider picking up an extra bottle for your host at holiday parties (they’ll be here before you know it). If you decide to sip on Legent Bourbon as you listen to Interpol at home, well, that’s all the better.

The Final Pick: Astorflex Bitflex Boots

Whenever I talk about some of my favorite things, be it classic slim black jeans, nice whiskey or the music of Interpol, I’m often searching for a way to tie it all together. There are simply certain things that go hand-in-hand, like the music of Interpol (particularly an atmospheric live show) and of course, stylish, sharp dressing. Enter these sleek black Chelsea boots, an undeniably Interpol-esque pair of boots you can wear to concerts and speakeasies and holiday outings in equal measure. How’s that for versatility?

How’s that for a Tuesday night lineup? As I listen to Interpol and sip on some Legent Bourbon, I’m reminded that it’s mighty nice to be able to revisit albums that might have fallen by the wayside — sometimes, all it takes is a bit of time at home and the right sort of “Interpol weather,” if you will, to help me revisit a classic. Are there certain albums — or certain menswear essentials, or a certain whiskey — you enjoy when the right feeling strikes? Let me know in the comments below, be sure to share this with a friend and thanks for reading!