The Stokes debuted new material a couple of weeks ago with the
Stranglers-esque "One Way Trigger". You can be forgiven for not
caring to much about The Stokes in 2013, especially after that letting
listeners down with 2011's mediocre album Angles. We actually have to go
back almost 10 years before listening to decent material from The Strokes. A
further two would take you back to Is This It, an album which will soon
be regarded a classic.
Can you tell the difference between "All the Time" and tracks from
Angles? I can. "All The Time" actually sounds like The Strokes
have recorded it. The Stokes most certainly are not one hit wonders, "Last
Nite" was good, but Is This It showcased some of the best indie
rock America had to offer for British listeners. Instead of bland
instrumentation, a typical structure and poor guitar work, The Strokes hit back
with a single that tops "One Way Trigger" by a country mile. It
starts with loud, abrasive percussion and a catchy guitar riff that The Strokes
have been without for many a year. The chorus kicks in and Julian Casablancas’'
vocal effects shine. The lead guitar on the left side of the speaker is typical
of The Strokes and takes the listener back to their roots.
If this track doesn’t get you excited about Comedown Machine, then I’m
not sure what will. It's fast, short and its indie rock that we can all relate
to. Their fifth studio album will be released in late March and lasts for approximately
38 minutes. I'm hoping for a short, snappy album with material along the lines
of "All the Time". It's not that "One Way Trigger" is bad either;
it just doesn’t have the authentic sounds that The Stokes should be putting
out. They do that on "All the Time", and maybe they'll do it on their
biggest ever advertisement for RCA, Comedown Machine.
~Eddie
