The Strokes are largely credited with reviving the New York garage rock scene in 2001 with their debut album, "Is This It." In 2003, they released the equally-strong "Room on Fire." The format hasn't changed much on "First Impressions of Earth", but it sounds like Julian Casablancas and company have less confidence in it. The album begins promisingly. Opener "You Only Live Once," the album's strongest track, would've been right at home on "Is This It," while "Razorblade" is more reminiscent of "Room on Fire," and "On the Other Side" is one of the band's darkest songs yet. "First Impressions" would've been much better if the Strokes had stuck with the 11-song formula of their previous two albums. At 52 minutes, the album drags on a bit too long. There's no reason this album couldn't have been done in 40 minutes or less. On later tracks like "Fear of Sleep" and "Evening Sun," Casablancas sounds tired and bored, and Albert Hammond's guitar and Fab Moretti's drumming lack their usual force.
"First Impressions" proves what indie rock fans have feared, that the Strokes are not invincible and that they are capable of mediocrity. On "Heart in a Cage," Casablanca sings "I'm stuck in a city, but I belong in a field." Here's hoping the Strokes solve this crisis of identity, before they are viewed as part of a passing trend.
3 STARS (out of 5)
1 comment:
I agree. Most of the songs are boring, and others are just plain puzzling. "Juicebox" sounds like "Nu-Metal" and why does it have a bass solo? I like that first song, though.
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