The Strokes :: Angles

The members of the Strokes have taken some time off and tried each doing their own thing; Albert Hammond Jr. put out two albums that were fantastic, Fabrizio Moretti put out a great album with the band Little Joy, the weird looking bass guy,  Nikolai Fraiture, made an album called Nickel Eye (seriously you look like Jaws from 1970’s James Bond movies…get a damn haircut), Nick Valensi made some art, and Julian Casablancas put out a record that I can only describe as “Just ok.” Right. Its about time they got back to working together.

Angles is the result of a more than five year hiatus since 2006’s First Impressions of Earth (which I don’t care what anyone says, it was a great album) which adds another milestone to the Strokes flawless reputation of quality sounding albums and all-around great music. This albums guitar licks remain tasty, Albert Hammond Jr. and Nick Valensi seem to have expanded their talents here and the listener is the beneficiary. Julians vocals, as always, are that classic muffled bullhorn carelessness that make him a standout character.

Sometimes I feel like this album was produced by the Strokes, and the Easter bunny; around every corner you can find a treat. Songs can have up to 5 different sounding songs, all wrapped up in one great song, the variety is most certainly a musical journey.

Highlights include:

• Taken For a Fool
• Life is Simple in the Moonlight
• Grastification
• Call Me Back
• Under Cover of Darkness
• Wait…every song on the album, come to think of it…every song offers something special

The beginnings of some songs remind me of music from the 1980’s, in-fact some might have been taken from the Car’s B-Sides, most notably Two Kinds of Happiness. Another likeness I found was the qualities of background music from the early 90’s video game Double Dragon on Metabolism, I felt like I was beating a boss level upon first listen.

Other critiques include the fact that this album is far too short and leaves you desperately wanting more, I pray that we don’t have to wait five more years for more; also the album cover is hideous, (is that really the best we could do guys? Seriously.). I guess if those are the only downfalls of the album, it must be pretty damn good, right? Better believe it.

Cliffs notes: The Strokes reign supreme as one of the worlds best bands yet again!

For your reference: comparison of Nikolai Fraiture(Left) to Richard Kiel (the guy who played Jaws, on the right)

 

 

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