Interpol, Liars, at the Agganis Arena (which sucks)

Jesus Christ almighty, the way they run the Agganis Arena, you'd think that you were prisoners entering Sing-Sing rather than going to see a moody little rock show.

Outside the venue, the people from Mentos are giving away free sleeves of their freshmaking candies, but just inside the door the security guards seize them all. Mentos are food, and food is not allowed in the venue. Or rather outside food, because if you want to buy a $6 slice of pizza or a $8 tap beer INSIDE the venue that is fine, but freshmaking (like large bags, signs and fireworks) is strictly prohibited. I defiantly stuff a Mento in my mouth before surrendering the remainder of the sleeve and the security guard gives me a nasty look, trying to figure out how she can get me to spit it out before I go inside. Too late, I have been freshmade!

Opener Liars could use some freshmaking. Ozzie singer Angus Andrew screams a lot, wanders the stage in a powder blue suit (beneath which he eventually reveals a Celtics shirt), and with his shaggy doo and awkward charms is reminiscent of local chanteur Ad Frank. Thrashing through their tribal ambient set a la Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and all those songs on Vines records that don't become hits, the band certainly gave it their all, but as they strained to fill the largely empty arena one couldn't help but think how much better this would be in a nightclub where the fans aren't held a minimum of 15 feet from the front of the stage.

Interpol are about as Interpol as anyone could hope them to be. The band enters a dim stage bathed in blue LED lights looking as formal as in their press photos. The usual dark suits are here (save drummer Sam Fogarino whose suit is white, and singer Paul Banks, who is nearly casual in short sleeves), Carlos D is thankfully shorn of his absurd mustache and the keyboardist wears a fedora (Note to self: Just because your band takes their name from an international police force, no need to mimic the attire of Simon LeBon in the Hungry Like The Wolf video). They lead with "Pioneer to The Falls" the haunting lead track from their new album "Our Love To Admire" and there start a nearly 2 hour set of uncanny perfection. The early set is dominated by old material like "Obstacle 1", "C'mere", "Slow Hands", and by the crazy legs dancing antics of guitarist Daniel Kessler. Throughout this, every note is perfectly rendered, every stop and start perfectly hit, Banks' voice is crisp and unwavering, and the band hardly interact with the audience at all. The crazy legs dancing ceases as mid-set the band return to the new album with "My Chemistry", "There's No I In Threesome", and "The Heimlich Manuever" but reappears as soon as older tracks "Evil" and "Not Even Jail" come out. Is there a link? Must be. So although Interpol are as meticulous tonight as a preprogrammed Kraftwerk drum solo, at points it all just seems too perfect. I mean, porn-star sex is hot, but it can be a bit impersonal.

Oh wait, but it's still hot. Yes, very hot.

So it would probably be unfair to call Interpol out on that little technicality wouldn't it?

Yes.

As we leave, I run into my friend Kevin, who shows me that the Mentos he got outside were not seized, doubtless the difference between me putting my Mentos in my purse and him putting them in his pants pocket (begging the question "Are those Mentos in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"). He offers them around and serves up his own new slogan for the candies "It's no longer about freshmaking, it's about being an asshole". Indeed.