"Juicebox"
from the forthcoming First Impressions of Earth
(Rough Trade - available on iTunes)
Yeah, so the Strokes - those guys still around? Yes, apparently, and they've just put out a new single.
Barely.
Guys, honestly, I liked it more when you were spending months in the studio with $30,000 of rack gear to make you sound lo-fi. Now that I can hear your polished guitar-and-bass dynamic, I'm unhappy to report that I'm just not comfortable with you, the Strokes, having a guitar-and-bass dynamic. Incidentally, when did you guys get a bass player? I thought the Russian one was sort of a cute Sid Vicious or something - stage presence, sure, but don't plug him in.
Come to think of it, forget the bassline ... when'd you guys become the Afghan Whigs? And why? Don't get me wrong - iTunes customers are eating this up, and it's got every indication of being a prime radio single. This week's charts show the song nestled at the twenty-fifth spot, right between Jack Johnson and Korn. I'll let will let the reader formulate his own punchline. All this reviewer can say is, I guess I liked the Strokes before they were uncool.
Reviewed by Dan Ray
This review is also posted on The Modern Pea Pod.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
The bassline to "Is This It?" was really cool. I think they have had a bass player for awhile now. ;)
I haven't heard the new single yet...
2 - LegendaryMonkey
Just goes to show, I guess... most good things come to an end.
3 - Zach
I haven't downloaded the song, and hearing Dan and others talk about it has almost made me afraid to... I loved (and still love) Is This It but Room on Fire didn't do much for me. I was really hoping for this third album to be a return to form, but from what I hear it's anything but. Still, I should really get around to seeing for myself...
4 - Kat
I, for one, think it's fanfriekingtastic. It would have been much less cool if they'd stuck to their trademark Velvet Underground-y lo-fi: tried, tested, tired and rested, you know? It's brilliant to hear Julian's vocals for a change (perhaps he even - shock horror - broke a sweat recording this one).
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
5 - Zach
So, I just listened and...is this even the same band? I don't mean that as a knock or a compliment. I don't know what I think of it! There's definitely more of an alt-radio vibe going on. I see Pitchfork's "Hash Pipe" comparisons, though probably not in as derogatory a way - I was never much of a Weezer purist. What impresses me, though, is Julian's voice. Shit, Kat, I see what you mean...for once he actually sounds like a rock'n'roller and not an insomnia patient!
At least this means album number three will actually be a change in direction.
6 - Daniel Ray
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I should probably say that, despite the snark in my review, I can respect the new single. It's certainly not the best song the Strokes have recorded, but I've gotta give it to a band that tries to improve on a formula.
The Strokes have always been a "name" band, and it's silly to argue that a new single is going to change that one way or another. Had I been following the band's studio time as I did during the recording of Room on Fire, I could probably cite a much more compelling reason for the production shift.
That said, I'm still not completely comfortable with the single's sound. But it's a lead single -- let's just see how it sits on the record, shall we?
7 - Dan
Hello, Village Voice readers Village Voice Music
Erm, I know they're your hometown heroes and all, but, like, don't hurt me.
Ahem.
8 - Kelly D
I don't know what the rest of you are listening to, but the new Strokes song does not sound like the Whigs. You could argue that it is from the time of Sub Pop, but that is pushing it. The Whigs have/had one of the most distinct sounds and styles of anyone in music. The Strokes should definitely not be compared to or put in the same category of the Whigs, or Twilight for that matter. How can anyone say there is a band out now that compares in anyway to the Afghan Whigs? The bassline that has you all in such a tizzy is pretty cool, maybe Green Day can borrow it for their next awful song. Just kidding, it is way too fast too make yet another punk ballad. I just don't understand how or why you can say that anything sounds like the Whigs, let alone the Strokes.
9 - Peter Lambert
The bassline in "Reptilia" is incredible...to knock Nikolai is a cheap jab by someone who merely a low-end Pitchfork disciple. It's "ok" to give respect to a band that's fan base extends beyond introverted 20-somethings.
10 - Zach
Peter: Maybe - maybe - if Modern Pea Pod only reviewed obscure indie records with introverted 20-something fanbases, your comment would have some value or relevance. But it's my editorial policy not to give a flying shit about Pitchfork or "indie," so please untwist your panties and move on. It's "ok" to give mediocre reviews to a band with whose bass player we're not on a first-name basis.
11 - DanH
I agree with kelly, the Strokes should not be placed in the same category as the Whigs. Quite frankly I don't know what the Strokes are trying to do here, to me it sounds like 3 different songs smashed together
12 - Helen
The Strokes are the best band everrrr.
I love the first two albums but this single is going in a totally new direction. It's sharper and more powerful and just like woah. I think they're taking a brave step changing their sound like this but it sounds fantastic. They're revolutionising indie rock all over again.
xx
13 - Hollie
OMG THE STROKES ARE THE BEST!....and this is a gr8 song the bass line is the best bit and its such a powerful song!...hu agrees!?