When Angles first came out, Julian Casablancas did a coupla things:
1. He claimed to be sober
2. He said the band only gave around 60%
At least one of those statements was uncontestable.
After watching a dodgy show at MSG where the Strokes got run outta Dodge by Elvis Costello and a coupla years down the line from their worst album and even further from Casablancas excellent solo album (and tour), only "Taken for A Fool" remains of the entire debacle.
So what are we to make of Hammond Junior's "It Never Rains In California" Albert Seniors comments to NME: "(The Strokes are) back, strong and mature, a lot of them have quit smoking and drinking and all the good things that come with rock 'n' roll, or whatever people think comes with rock 'n' roll.''
And about the near split while recording the terrible album? ''Fortunately they do love each other, and they have people around them who love them. Obviously we all take the wrong roads at times, especially when you're young. And some of us never come out of that road and end up in another world. The good thing about them is that, as I said, all these people that loved them and they loved each other and they finally realized that they had something going that was good.''
If the Strokes were drunk when they recorded the album they are crazy (and Julian is a flat out liar or had a serious relapsed), if not the biggest mistake remains in sharing the limelight. And Julian is da man.
rock nyc actually wrote that this looked a disaster while they were in the middle of recording it. If the Strokes really wanna stay together, they will have to accept the fact Julian Casablancas writes circles round the rest of the band and is the leader. The Strokes are a band, but apparently they are a band Casablancas doesn't particularly need any more. If they wanna play together, play behind the greats songwriter.