The Strokes - Angles

New Music Tuesday is here today - and there is no shortage of hot new tracks out there this morning. I ended up picked the Strokes over a couple bands because I owe it to myself and you guys to listen to more by this band. I reviewed 'Is This It' way back in June of last year, and it got a positive rating. I think even in that review I realized I have never really given them another shot to win me over. I don't listen to that record very often, so I'm not sure what to expect with this one. Julian Casablancas does the lead vocals, and I really enjoy his work. He did a great job in the Lonely Island track 'Boombox' as well. Even though these guys are from New York - they have a much bigger following in the UK and overseas. The Strokes have been on a break since 2005 or so, and from certain message boards, a lot of fans weren't really missing their sound. Which is a bit of a bummer, because I really liked their previous stuff. Despite the fact this record just dropped today, the band already told fans about another album they want to come out this year yet. Crazy. Anyway, this is a pretty short listen - 10 tracks. It's got a similar sound to 'Is This It' and that's a very good thing. I'm still classifying this as rock music - because it's so raw and unassuming. It feels good while you're going through it and it's very easy to have this on in the background and be grooving while doing something else. No individual tracks have really stuck out to me thusfar, but the record as a whole has had a really good vibe for me. I'd encourage ya'll to try it out today - I think if you liked any Strokes you've heard previous, there is no reason you wouldn't enjoy this one also. Happy Tuesday!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Machu Picchu
2. Under Cover of Darkness
3. Two Kinds of Happiness
4. You're So Right
5. Taken for a Fool
6. Games
7. Call Me Back
8. Gratisfaction
9. Metabolism
10. Life is Simple in the Moonlight

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Under Cover Of Darkness
2. Call Me Back
3. Two Kinds Of Happiness

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars

The Strokes - Is This It

I've decided to run a post/rant day today. Usually when I rant, it's just a one post day - but hey, I'm feeling festive. Plus, I had an odd amount of genre reviews and I was off by one. So I figured I'd hammer this one out today - plus, I love the Strokes! This album is really good - top to bottom. They only have 3 studio releases since 2001, with this being the first of that trio. Honestly, I have not heard any of their other stuff - so I'll have to get to that sometime soon. Style wise, I'm classifying them as a generic rock band, but they probably fit into other genres too. They're a little poppy on some tracks, and they have a very upbeat Brit Rock style to them too. They're not British - just have that feel to them. That's probably why they have a very large following in the UK. Anyway, this is another record to have faced some controversy. They originally had cover art of a nude woman seductively bent over with a black glove running down her hip. For some reason, they thought that it would be too risque in the states, and changed it to the microscope version you see above. They also had a track called "New York City Cops" that was changed due to the September 11 attacks against America. That track is now listed as "When It Started". Anyway, I think you'll enjoy this. It's got a great jam out feel to it. It has excitement around it that is very contagious. Check it out!!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Is This It
2. Modern Age, The
3. Soma
4. Barely Legal
5. Someday
6. Alone, Together
7. Last Nite
8. Hard to Explain
9. When It Started
10. Trying Your Luck
11. Take It or Leave It

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Last Nite
2. Someday
3. Soma

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars