Album Review: The Strokes – Angles

The Strokes – Angles
8/10

It's been nearly 10 years since The Strokes hit the scene with their garage rock edge and their punk-like attitude. Now after an almost five-year long hiatus, the New York quintet has resurfaced with their fourth effort, Angles.

The news of their return sent devoted fans into a frenzied panic, myself included. What will they sound like?! Will they follow in the shadow of their third and least satisfying record First Impressions of Earth? Or will they channel their original sound from their Is This It days? Will it be as upbeat as Room On Fire? Or will their solo projects have a strong influence? Whatever the case, expectations were definitely high.

The album's first single, “Under Cover of Darkness,” brought many relief. It featured their classic Strokes sound, albeit showed some maturity with the inclusion of harmonies and the obvious fancier production work. Yet when “You're So Right” leaked online, it left some confused. What would the record have in store for their cult following of fans? For starters, Angles is the first Strokes album the group wrote collaboratively as a band. Frontman Julian Casablancas loosened his tight grip and let the rest of the boys have a say. That seems fair right? During the weeks prior to the record's release, there was a constant flow of articles and interviews claiming that the band had a difficult time putting it together; tons of inner-band feuding, firing their producer, having 4/5 of the group record their instrumental work while Julian emailed them lyrics and recorded vocals on his own. Unfortunately, it shows. At times, Angles seems quite disjointed; songs suddenly changing rhythms and instrumental patterns. Such is the case in “Call Me Back” and “Metabolism.” Not to say these are bad songs, because they really aren't. They just seem to create a small issue with the flow of the album. Yet on the other hand, some tracks seem so well crafted, had the album been done any other way, we probably wouldn't have “Taken For A Fool” or “Life Is Simple In The Moonlight” in their current form.

At the end of the day, it's nice to see The Strokes evolve. Although there is definitely a Strokesy feel to the album, if fans are hoping to hear the New Yorkers circa 2002, they won't find it on Angles. Whether that is refreshing or disheartening is a matter of taste.

The Strokes - "Call Me Back"


The Strokes - "Taken For A Fool"