Net Music Review

Angels by The Strokes

Its been nearly five years since The Strokes released their last offering, "First Impressions Of Earth", even longer since they released their instant classic debut and spawned a thousand imitators overnight. In that time they've gone from five hip guys against the world, to almost clichéd, bona fide rock stars who barely speak to each other. The risk with leaving such a long gap between albums is that nobody will care when it comes (Razorlight), or that such is the level of expectation that no matter what you produce it will be a let down (The Stone Roses). Well, after 2006's disappointing "First Impressions Of Earth" it is a difficult one to judge.

It is evident from the opening bars of "Machu Pichu" that there is something different about the 2011 version of The Strokes. There is a slight reggae-ish feel to the guitars, but Julian Casablancas' vocals still ooze coolness from every orifice. Hardcore fans may feel slightly cheated that it doesn't sound as if it was recorded in a garage but there is a lot to applaud here. The aforementioned fans will get all excited over "Under Cover Of Darkness" with its classic Strokes style opening; jangley, stop start guitar intro that gives way to something reminiscent of first album era Strokes. This may sound odd, given that the band I'm about to mention essentially copied the The Strokes but it almost sounds as if they are doing there best imitation of The Libertines. You can also hear Casablancas' vocals being overlaid which provides some interesting results. "Two Kinds Of Happiness" sounds like very little else they have every released, almost like Razorlight from their eponymous album, slightly ska-ish.

"You're So Right" opens with a dirty sounding guitar and has to be said is the albums first real let down/disappointment. It has the sound of a band trying to knock something together quickly because they can't stand the sight of each other. Things improve markedly with "Taken For A Fool", sounding like a futuristic version of the The Strokes. Difficult to explain but trust me, all the classic Strokes are there but somehow sound different. Things get even weirder with "Games" with its electro-pop feel. You can tell that the guitars have been put through a series of effects, but at times you wonder if you aren't listening to something from the eighties. I should clarify that statement, by saying things get weirder, that isn't to say its bad, "Games" is a fantastic track but it is such a departure for The Strokes you almost had to double check you have the right album playing! "Call Me Black" starts with a slow, simple guitar line accompanying Casablancas and continues in that vein all the way through fooling the listening by constantly hinting that its all about to take off. "Gratisfaction" picks it up again with its bouncing drumbeat and guitars and in contrast to some tracks on this collection actually has the sound of a band having fun!

"Metabolism" starts off with a heavy-ish guitar riff sound like a beefed up Arctic Monkeys and has a sence of urgency about it, the chugging guitar is compliant by ethereal choral arrangements which may well be a first for The Strokes. It is yet more evidence of a band that is trying to stretch its horizons and not be type cast. It is a strangely compelling track that deserves several listens to pick up the subtle nuisances in there, in fact this is an album full of blink and you miss it moments. Angels closes with "Life Is Simple In The Moonlight" and is classic Strokes territory, distorted vocals, clever little guitar interplays that draw the listening in and demand full attention.

While Angels may not be up there with THAT debut album, it certainly is a very good album. It is let down by a couple of moments where things don't quite click into place, but it is refreshing to see a band not content to rest on their laurels and just knock out the same old thing every couple of years.