Let’s just get right into it; The Strokes suck. I would’ve slapped myself if I ever said that years ago. We can all agree on this, can’t we? Even new listeners can agree, although most of them are new to the very accessible indie scene and can probably handle all these changes in our beloved sober indie bands.
I was obviously dreading it but finally took the time to play The Strokes 2011 third consecutive LP “Angles” entirely. No skipping, no skimming. I sat there and took it, analyzed it, and came to my conclusion; this wasn’t the whiskey-soaked, emotions running wild Strokes; it was the future-pop-electronic-bullshit sober Strokes. It didn’t take me three years to figure that out, I was just avoiding this album for so long I forgot it even existed.
I just didn’t understand Angles. I mean, even First Impressions of Earth had two decent songs, (aka You Only Live Once and Heart in a Cage). And that was probably their worst attempt at making music, ever. That album just had no focus, it was total microwaved chicken nugget nonsense packed with msg. I guess I’ll accept Angles in the sense that it did establish the new sound that The Strokes were anticipating. But I still couldn’t comprehend their vision for this album.
Some describe Angles as “adventurous.” Those are the people who describe every sub-par 80s synth pop indie band as futuristic rock n’roll. Even the way they look; less shaggy, more clean, after shave. Next album cover will probably feature Julian and a comb over. You can tell they just lost interest in The Strokes being that group of rich kid hopeless romantics falling into bars across the lower east side.
the thing with Angles, it was just entirely different from their first two albums. The music, the lyrics; that arousing indie rock aesthetic wasn’t there anymore. Not like “Reptilla,” not like “The End Has No End” or “Hard To Explain.” Usually when I watch a band grow over the years, they nurture their sound; they preserve the old and add the new experimental sounds gradually. It sounds more natural to start off inspired by Velvet Underground or Joy Division and work your way into a little Bowie. Personally, I didn’t understand Angles. Every song made me cringe. Though I will admit, “Under Cover of Darkness” did have that familiar Room On Fire melody, but it still felt a bit forced and cheap; the furthest away from musical catharsis. It didn’t trap me like Is This It did, that record raised me. Maybe it’s because indie is so overexposed. Or maybe it’s just because they have better recording equipment and I realize how terrible they actually sound without drunk muffling vocals.
I think it’s about the lifestyle they lived that inspired their music and made it relatable to most, and worth listening to. Of course drugs and booze eventually took a toll on these boys, but you can be sober and write amazing songs. I didn’t feel the least bit connected to any of the tracks on Angles.
Is this rant the result of me getting older? Or is the scene changing so much I can’t keep up with it anymore? Is this how old people feel?
Ha, nah man it’s definitely not me, it’s you.
