THE twenty-first century has so far yielded only one classic debut album; an album which will stand the test of time, and which will inspire bands for years to come.

That album is Turn On The Bright Lights, the debut effort from New York quartet Interpol.

On its release, there were many whisperings of its debt to Joy Division, and the vocal similarities were difficult to deny. However, repeated listening showed that although the band had been influenced by early-1980s indie (The Chameleons, Kitchens Of Distinction, Psychedelic Furs), they were, and are, far more than a mere tribute act.

No one else this century has topped their otherworldliness, their dark, epic ambience, and their sheer power as a band.

What does this have to do with Editors, who last night headlined Fibbers? Well, Editors sound a lot like Interpol.

Frontman Tom Smith demonstrated an appealing baritone croon which aped the cold, stark delivery of Paul Banks, and the band were similarly taut and urgent.

However, they ditched almost everything else which makes Interpol unique and inspiring, instead appropriating the straight-ahead post-punk of Slow Hands, easily the least interesting track on the second Interpol album, Antics.

In fact, on most songs, Smith's vocals were the only distinctive element, as the band drifted into oh-so-fashionable Killers/Bravery dance-rock territory. Only a couple of slightly more soulful efforts made them stand out musically.

Like Interpol covering your favourite indie-rock tunes then; not offensive to the ear, but really - what's the point?

Updated: 10:31 Friday, April 22, 2005