The Strokes
Comedown Machine

THE REVIEW

Fifth album from the strokes, what can I say, I didn't expect any better. The problem often lies in how these albums are judged. What you read around is irritating. It can be summarized in two trends:

1. "lame little disc made for the sixteen-year-old fanboys of Casablancas' glans"

2. "little disc that wouldn't be pointless if the production had been cared for a bit and if they had been less goofy", as if the voices and giggles at the end of some songs were mocking the listener.

A big run-up to a mavafammoc is needed here.

The only problem with The Strokes is that the first album was too hyped, it was shouted to the four winds that it was the foundation of a new rock-concept, under the influence of what drug?
Casablancas and company have always made sweetened pop-rock little records for softies, you either like it or you don’t, you either accept it or not. There's not a damn thing to argue about. And "Is this is" is at the same level of trendiness as this last "Comedown Machine," with the only difference being the guitar overdrives equalized on the distorted.
The Strokes have always been jokers, they farted into the microphone on the first album, how can one claim that they are "not serious about what they do"? If I like them, it's also because they are goofy and I perfectly relate to them.
But I've read these things everywhere, from Pitchfork to a webzine of 5 pimply users. What are we insinuating, that a band after a couple of albums has to show some maturity? What is it, are we inserting ethics into the silly little music that accompanies me on the tram? What do people have in mind when they listen to yet another Strokes album, loaded with expectations—is it poop? It must be poop.

By putting on this "Comedown Machine," I realized two things:

1. Thank heavens it doesn't sound like that fecal mass "Angles," and

2. finally we find the Strokes of the first albums.

Yes, because, maybe a little less fresh, this little disc gives you a pleasant half-hour, among little songs that make you move your butt, delicate arpeggios, ignoble falsettos, pseudo-romantic pseudo-ballads, and so on. There’s also the coolest track they've ever written (50/50), what are the reviewers pondering? We've crossed the threshold of ridiculousness by nitpicking an album of The Strokes. I can only wait anxiously for the same delirium over the sixth album.

Sorry for the rant, I'm off to buy some Valium.

p.s. I love Casablancas' glans but I guess it’s not working anymore.
HATERZ GONNA H8