From the Archive: The Paranoid Style: 'The Interrogator'

With their latest release, the DC-based garage pop band delivers their best work yet.

Good Morning!

Today we’re taking a second look at The Interrogator by Washington D.C.-based band The Paranoid Style

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If you've been on Twitter lately, you've likely noticed it's been overrun by a lot of people "just asking questions." Usually, that's just cloud cover for trying to make a contrarian point or deliver a hot take. For anyone who misses the "old days" on the platform, it often makes for a terrible user experience.

Elizabeth Nelson is one of the bright spots -and one of the few reasons left to log on. With a trademark acerbic wit and next-level ability to bend the English language to her will, her tweets say more in 240 characters than many of us can do with dozens of pages. She delivers sharp insights, pushes up against the corners, and isn't afraid to throw the (proverbial) brick when called for. She's not asking questions; she's making statements.

So it seems ironic that the title of her band's Latest record is "The Interrogator." Far from the lazy "just asking questions" crowd, Nelson and the Paranoid Style's brand is delivering music that compels you to move, coupled with what pound-for-pound might be the most references per verse in music. It's all three chords and the (highly articulate) truth. A first ballot songwriting hall of famer, she pokes and prods with lightning-fast speed and never misses a chance to connect a few dots. Where else can you find another LP referencing both The Molly Maguires and group chats?

I suppose this should be par for the course for a band named after a 1960s political essay, but still. I usually use a lyric sheet to follow along the first few times; with The Interrogator, I referenced them to ensure I had caught everything.

I mean, just take this verse from ‘I Love The Sound of Structured Class,’ whose title is a play on Nick Lowe’s ‘I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass’:

Sitting on the front porch, still waiting on the lifeline from the kind of folks who share opinions like mine. I have spent time in education. I have spent time in jail. I've drunk from the river basin. I have skied in Vail. Time in capsules, Vitamin C. Everybody knows this is nowhere but me.

It would be easy for this record to slip sideways into the self-important—or worse, a kicks-rock version of Mark Russell—but the wide range of references and wordplay keep things fun.

And then, of course, there's the music. The Paranoid Style has always had talent and punch. These have always been records meant to be played loud, and previous outings have included everyone from Patterson Hood to Wussy (frontwoman Lisa Walker appears here as well).

Besides Walker, Matt Douglas (the Mountain Goats), and Will Rigby (formerly of On Repeat favorites, The dBs) have also been recruited to help. The addition of guitarist Peter Holsapple (The dBs) kicks everything up a notch.

This is a rock and roll record, but everything is well-polished and carefully produced for maximum effect. Like Nelson, they too are experts at connecting style dots, whether it's a nod to Graham Parker, the locomotive/infectious style of 'The Drop Is Steep,' or summoning the ghost of blues legends on 'Print The Legend,' the latter driven by William Matheny's keys.

These elements shine brightest when Holspapple, Nelson, and guitarist Timothy Bracy come together in 'The Ballad of Pertinent Information (Turn it On).'

The subtitle might be Turn it on, but The Interrogator is a record that commands you to turn it up.

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Listen:

The Paranoid Style | The Interrogator, 2024

Click the record to listen on the platform of your choice.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this record!

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Thanks for being here,

Kevin—