The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth on CD

Description

This album comes in luxury packaging for a limited period: a six panel digi-pack, die-cut front with three inserts and a 32 page booklet. The Strokes have taken to fame with a cheer most politely described as grudging, but not even front-cover adulation and celebrity girlfriends can crack these New Yorkers’ mojo. On their third album, First Impressions Of Earth, Casablancas and company turn heel on the bristly, familiar feel of 2003’s Room On Fire, and concentrate on evolving their sound. The album’s lead single--the prowling, Cramps-inspired rock’n’roll number "Juicebox"--is something of a red herring. However, songs like the triumphant "You Only Live Once" or "On The Other Side", are born in the crisp, synthetic spirit of the early ‘80s new wave. Two particular moments stand out: "Heart In A Cage" is a drifting, melancholy proto-punk number in the spirit of Berlin-era Iggy Pop, while "Ask Me Anything" unfurls as something of a solo piece, frontman Julian Casablancas emoting over a restrained backdrop of synth and strings. The album sags a little towards the end (with the building, passionate "Fear Of Sleep" a definite exception), but as a whole, First Impressions Of Earth finds The Strokes fulfilling all that early promise and displaying a slow-evolving longevity that few would have ascribed to them. If the brilliant lead single "Juicebox" seemed to indicate Julian Casablancas was broadening his musical horizons, it's misleading. First Impressions Of Earth is, with the odd exception, very much Strokes business as usual. However, the opening three tracks show the band at their best. "You Only Live Once" is a brash and winning opener, sounding as vibrant as a lost Blondie classic. Nick Valensi provides thrilling guitar work throughout. It's Casablancas singing and songwriting that let's the side down, and with fourteen songs he gives himself a lot of space to disappoint. If this undeniably talented band are to repay that initial excitement, their fourth album is going to have to offer a great deal more consistency and invention than on display here.

Tracks

1. You Only Live Once - The Strokes (3.09)
2. Juicebox - The Strokes (3.17)
3. Heart in a Cage - The Strokes (3.27)
4. Razor Blade - The Strokes (3.29)
5. On the Other Side - The Strokes (4.38)
6. Vision of Division - The Strokes (4.2)
7. Ask Me Anything - The Strokes (3.12)
8. Electricityscape - The Strokes (3.33)
9. Killing Lies - The Strokes (3.5)
10. Fear of Sleep - The Strokes (4)
11. 15 Minutes - The Strokes (4.34)
12. Ize of the World - The Strokes (4.29)
13. Evening Sun - The Strokes (3.06)
14. Red Light - The Strokes (3.11)