NEWS: Something Different from the Strokes ?

MUSIC: Something Different from the Strokes ?

The Strokes have locked themselves into their newly renovated New York studio to start work on their next album. According to singer Julian Casablancas, this record isn't going to sound anything like their first two records.

In an interview with NME, Casablancas said ...

The band is currently predicting the album could come out as soon as the summer of next year.

Sounds intense.

'this record isn't going to sound nothing like their first two records.' Oops.

Their last two albums were fantastic. I'm looking forward to the third.

Here's a tip, Julian - dump the whole "singing through a shitty radio" vocal effect for starters.

maybe the next album will feature four chords instead of just three.

If he did that he might sound just like everyone else, are you gonna start telling guitarists to stop using effects pedals? Meh, I'm sick of people bagging out bands, especially those that write there own music, and it aint half bad.

Typically guitarists use pedals to accentuate a passage, a solo, what have you - to diversify their sound throughout a set. Julian uses the same effect on every song, which goes beyond being an effect and instead becomes a crutch. While producing/recording bands, I'll use this with singers who aren't confident with their voices, or when a singer basically just sucks - in addition to the fairly ubiquitous usage of double tracking, etc. These approachs are used generally to fix or hide a problem.

I'm not bagging on the Strokes necessarily. But since they've recognized that they're in a rut, dumping that shit is honestly a good first step.

I like the strokes, too, but I agree with Idjiit here. I can't understand the words half the time. Granted, I'm a poor listener and have worse hearing, but still. Can he actually sing?

well since you wouldn't do it, I will.

The Strokes are a terrible excuse for a rock band. I hope Drew Barrymore makes their drummer go insane. I'd like to see them put out an album that doesn't sound like every other shitty NYC band with "cred" out there.

You want to hear a real band with real cred?? Pick up a fucking Valient Thorr record. That's rock people.

is this one going to include melody then?

I like the raw sound of Julian. I know it's forced, but it's the same concept as The White Stripes choosing to record on older equipment to give their albums that old record feel. I would like them to expand on their next album, though. Their second album didn't show improvement at all - it was the same record. They need some diversity.

Don't worry; my guess is that it'll sound the same as the other two.

Yeah - lame.

Here comes the Indie Cred Police. "The Strokes are too popular." "The Strokes have too many groupies." "The Strokes daddys are rich." Blah, blah, blah.

All I know is that nobody sounded or looked like The Strokes before they came out. Limp Bizkit, Korn and all that nu-metal shit ruled. Now, half the groups that the Indie Cred Police listen to are Strokes clones. They have been HUGELY influential and their first two records were both catchy and interesting. I have every confidence they'll come up with something good for #3 too.

Yes, yes you did.

I couldn't care less if the Strokes are popular. They just bore the shit out of me. I've tried to like them, honest. But I can't get through their records without skipping songs or simply turning them off. My wife does the same thing when they're on in the car. :shrug:

At this late date, there is nothing new under the sun, my dear. Just groups who are better or worse at recycling what has already been done. In my book, The Strokes score points for going against the grain of what was popular at the time they came out and for having great taste in influences. They're not re-inventing rock 'n' roll, but who is at the moment?

C'mon, Cherry, don't be so harsh. Leave that to me.

Sorry, how were they going against the grain? Because they're not nu-metal hacks? Within their scene they were towing the line and there's a huge list of bands that should be credited for The Stroke's success before they are.

The only thing that's exceptional is that some marketing exec at a major label decided to go "against the grain" and pick a band with this sound that was cute enough to take advantage of and market successfully.

Define "market successfully". The Strokes have NEVER sold as many albums as their hype would suggest.

That said, i think they're a pretty decent band.

Two Words: "Concept Album"

get out your capes and keyboards

that's because your wife rocks.