"Obstacle 1" is the second single off of Interpol's "Turn on the Bright Lights", one of the very best albums of 2002, period. This single (3 tracks, 13 min.) is slightly less-compelling than the first single "PDA" (a/k/a "Interpol EP").

No-one will question the musical genius of "Obstacle 1", the best song on the album. While sequenced smartly on the album right after the "slow" opening track "Untitled", it stands up very well on its own. The guitar play between Paul Banks and Dan Kessler is just outstanding. (I'm sounding like an old record, but why can't such great music find airplay? Except for WOXY, thanks guys!)

The other 2 tracks on here are somewhat "filler": the version of "PDA" is a live, "in-radio" version, and not as good as the original studio version. Equally, "Hands Away" is a live "in-studio" verson for the John Peel BBC program. Hence only 4 stars.

Life comes with obstacles, roadblocks to overcome. Struggle is part of everyday, even when you get out of bed to start a new day. One time or another someone regrets saying or doing something. Don't dwell on the past, life goes on. The writer is trying to express sorrow; regret or they can't get over a past memory. This song affected me in the sense that independence is the key to moving on, when no one is behind you, when you're all alone. Put old memories in the past, move on. People who make improvements find opportunities to make a new start, a new life. The writer probably comes from, a childhood with a void, yet moves on, forgets the past, and starts a future with knowledge and experience. When you get older you look back, realizing your mistakes, what a big deal you made out of nothing. Deceit can be seen, calling out a bluff. Guilt builds; your heart is weighed down. People express feelings in varied ways, when they need to confront someone or something it builds up, they're destructive.