In the latest of a number of high-profile comebacks in 2011, The Strokes have made their long awaited return. In a year that promises the returns of the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters to the music studio, The Strokes remain one of the biggest highlights of a bumper year. But, if you have followed any of the press surrounding fourth album ‘Angles’, you will know it hasn’t exactly been a problem-free process.
The build-up to this comeback has been dominated by stories of the band being at war. The Strokes apparently have ‘undertones of hostility and resentment’ according to guitarist Nick Valensi, while the four musicians were reported to be less than happy with Julian Casablancas and his solo exploits. This resulted in one take of ‘Angles’ being scrapped and Casablancas recording vocals separate to the band.
What will it be then? The epicly charming Strokes that gave us ‘Is This It?’ and reinvented modern rock and coolness at the same time? Or will it be a damp squib from a band unfocused though in-fighting and well out of touch with a modern audience? Well, it might not quite be the first one, but it sure as hell ain’t the second one. ‘Angles’ may see the band going in directions we’ve never heard before – chilled electronica in the vein of MGMT one of these – but they are in triumphant form in this confident effort.
With our appetites suitably wetted by the brilliantly optimistic and impossibly catchy ‘Under Cover Of Darkness’, there is still a strong sense of Stroke-ness about this album. Partly down to the terrific and typically Casablancas vocal, and partly down to that unmistakable layered guitar feel, there are some fine songs that could have walked onto any of their previous efforts. Opener ‘Machu Picchu’ evolves from a reggae-beat start to a jangling guitar release, while ‘Taken For A Fool’ builds a swelling chorus we’ve come to expect from the New Yorkers.
‘Gratisfaction’ is bouncing with an irrepressible hooking performance and ‘Metabolism’ seems to have come straight here from ‘First Impressions…’, while the album’s highlight (a difficult call ahead of ‘Gratisfaction’) comes in its closer. Slightly chilled but swelling into an infectiously under-played chorus, ‘Life Is Simple In The Moonlight’ is a fine example of The Strokes return to form.
It’s not all easy work though. ‘Angles’ as a whole is what you class ‘a grower’, it will have a much profounder effect on you on the tenth listen than on the first. ‘Two Kinds of Happiness’ borrows from the 80’s with a fantastic crescendo of guitars, ‘You’re So Right’ has a dark and sinister electro-feel and ‘Call Me Back’ sees Casablancas joined by nothing but a slowly speaking guitar and atmospheric backing. ‘Games’ also has a stomping MGMT electronic feel, and it takes a bit of time to love these tracks. But the important thing is that you do in the end.
With 2011 being the ten year anniversary of ‘Is This It?’, it shows how The Strokes have grown. They may now not be the generation-defining band they were in 2001, but they are now one of the most established rock bands on this increasingly non-rock music scene and ‘Angles’ proves this. Not bad for a band just coming back from five years out.
Very, very good and difficult to choose a favourite track, but at this moment, I'm just going for 'Life Is Simple In The Moonlight'. Enjoy.
NWR
i absolutely loved the strokes album and song gratisfaction, so much so that i named my website after it! come check it out at www.gratisfaction.co.uk
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