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 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. Much better than the underwhelming songwriting and woeful production of their second LP, Room on Fire, and darker and heavier than the debut smash, Is This It, the Strokes’ third album is a bona fide return to form.Amid the dipsomaniac-sounding vitriol and anger born of despair evident here, First Impressions of Earth highlights just how much your Razorlights, Franz Ferdinands et al owe to The Strokes’ essentially catchy-as-hell, pop-rock palette. Listening to the 14 tracks on offer here suggests a stream of the past five years’ fave guitar bands, with The Strokes at the source. Casablancas’s charismatic vocals of yore are at the fore - now a brooding, manly croon veering from an Iggy Pop baritone through aggressive caterwauling to a Shane MacGowan slur; Hammond Jnr and Valensi’s very ‘American’ (Cheap Trick, Cars, Television) axe-work features trademark New Wave licks beefed-up with fiery surf guitar; Fraiture’s bass is psychobilly-tough, as on Juicebox with its b-line made for speed-freak drag racers, and Moretti’s drums are by turns tight, tribal and lolloping. Cocky enough to tip a wink to Manilow’s Mandy on Razorblade, even, the bodies and minds who made this album sound more lived-in: they’ve been through the mill a bit and come out with a rougher-edged corker. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth, out now on Rough Trade.
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comment by YaOnlyLivOnce
Jan 21, 2007
I am extremely suprised that this album is being " hailed as a return to form" because it is anything but. Not one song is anything remotely similiar to any song The Strokes have produced before, with exception to Julian's deep crooning voice and some more exceptional geeeeetar solos. But although it is the weakest of the Strokes' three albums it remains a great record(which shows how good they really are), possibly the second best of the year behind The Arctic Monkeys' Whatever they say i am blah blah blah really long album tite album, yet not much better titled. The first four songs of the album are all fantastic and there are a few more great ones littered througout the album. The key for The Strokes has always been "less is more" and with a 14 song 60 some minute album they did not heed to this rule. My belief is that the negative backlash to Room On Fire pointed them in another direction which is a shame becasue this album could have been better than it was. Nevertheless, this is a very good album with a few absolutely fantastic songs.Songs to listen to: -You Only Live once -Juicebox -Heart In A Cage -Ize Of The World -Razorblade and some others worth while: -Electricityscape -Vision Of Division (with a sick guitar solo) -Red Light -15 Minutes (the ending is good)
comment by ilike_music
Feb 7, 2006
Thank God they finally released this album...i thought i'd go crazy without a new Strokes album to listen to. 10/10...best track for me is "Heart in a Cage" followed closely by "You Only Live Once". HOWEVER...although this album is great, it still doesn't beat "Is This It".
comment by fingerchimp
Jan 21, 2006
yeah i must add my voice to this, it really is a spanking good album...the strokes always takes a little while to grow but they have succeeded in becoming one of those bands that stand alone with a very original sound (derivative i know, but what isnt)..a very talented bunch of musicians, a great vocalist and lyricist, check out the incisive dissection of a relationship on razorblade (even if it does nick its chorus melody from barry manilow)
comment by Allaway9
Jan 20, 2006
I love all the Strokes stuff and I heard Juicebox before I heard the album and really didn't know what to expect but after listening to it about four times a day It's really hit home and I find the tracks come and go into my head during the day.I don't know if it's their best yet- their last two albums were both fantastic and I love them both so I couldn't say which was best!!!!
comment by matira
Jan 10, 2006
a great album with lots of potential singles on it (Heart in a Cage is next single for sure). seems to have lots some of the originality of Room on Fire, seems the critics got to them. still a great album to start the year with.4 Stars
comment by Myserious Dr. X
Jan 7, 2006
I agree that this album is brilliant. The opening tracks are good. The ending tracks are brilliant. The tracks in between? Cracking. The Strokes have made my day. And, I think heart in a cage is the next single; it has to be my favourite song so far.And I also don't understand why Room on Fire got a hammering by the critics. Maybe the style was too bold and american?
comment by vonaxenbourg
Jan 6, 2006
These tracks are very good. They sound clear and well-produced. The songs are played cleanly and with style. The lyrics are well-composed. I like what I hear!BTW, dipsomania is the compulsion to drink alcohol. Is this really what fires this music?
comment by brodieblue
Jan 5, 2006
Why was there such a backlash to the strokes second LP room on fire?I think everyone needs to go back and listen again to this LP. It seems like the critics thought they needed to be brought down a peg or two, and everyone stepped in line. Maybe they thought they were partying too hard? Re-evaluate this LP and you will hear how tracks like, reptilia blow anything off the first LP away. In relation to the new LP on first listen, I just did'nt get it. sounded to contrived, trying too hard, however, it is growing on me. I agree it is a lot heavier but the good tracks are mixed in with obvious filler. They need to forget about the critics and do whatever they want, or feels right. Too cool for school
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