Two reviews of The Strokes’ new album “Comedown Machine” written 24 hours apart.

1. In this record, I see glimpses of the band that fundamentally changed me back in 2000. The hooks are solid, if not some of the best out there in 2013. The genre and instrumental experimentation is commendable, even impressive. But it’s, so far, not a record that I am falling in love with. That is, not as a whole, complete LP.

In an alternate universe, there is a version of this record that was recorded live to tape in the studio, with nothing outside of the two-guitar, bass, drums and vocals setup (okay, maybe an old Fender organ on a few of the tracks). The me in that alternate universe fucking loves it. I imagine this version of myself (who we’ll call Red-161, as compared to me on this Earth, Red-616) went to NYU over BC, dove deep into the early 2000’s rock scene, became a bit of a visual documentarian of those drunken and dangerous LES days, has some bit of minor fame and acclaim from those photos, although as time has passed he is probably coasting on the fumes and the remaining dollars, unsure of his next move and feeling a bit empty. He is also skinny and smokes cigarettes.) But I digress… I wish it was that record. I miss the sound of those Strokes, but the songwriting leads me to believe they are still there, somewhere, underneath the studio trickery.

I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. I don’t think I’ll ever hate a Strokes record. I get the thrill from a few of the songs, others will go unlistened in my iTunes library for years. I guess this is part of loving a band, the high with the disappointment, and the constant battle against apathy.

2. I gave the record about 3 more spins yesterday after writing that. And then I listened to nothing else all night. As i went to bed, the hooks were STUCK IN MY HEAD. More than one of them, and not the two singles that have been out slightly longer. Songs I didn’t love at first were on repeat in my brain. I woke up, and they were still there. I listened this morning, and I am coming on board. I’m defrosting.

I think that is the plight of the Strokes fan. I’m going to like this record whether my ears want to or not. My heart and head are forcing me to. And I’m strangely okay, if not happy, about that.

One other thing: this record came out in March, as did their previous record Angles. With Angles, I found that it was infinitely better in the summer, doing things you do in the warm months: windows-down driving, drinking on rooftops, going to BBQs, sitting on beaches. My wife (mai waife) would say “Who is this? I like this song” in July, where in February she decried the whole album as “weird.” 

So that’s something. And I hope it’s true. 

Three part harmony.

[via Life]

soothsayanyway:

this Silverchair concert souvenir is almost fifteen years old - purchased with hard-earned babysitting money in November 1999 in Lowell, MA (on their joint tour date with Blink 182).

what would Silverchair have to say about the power of all the platforms that have followed since TV’s reign?

the image for the shirt also appeared on the cover of the band’s 1999 single, Anthem For the Year 2000 - and that suggestive phrase provides the grand finale to the song’s politically charged music video. they seemed afraid of the future…but willing to make use of the very medium they criticized, leveraging their reach and influence on MTV to warn people of their apocalyptic vision.

I’d love to talk to them today.

Liz has a great tumblr going. Also, SILVERCHAIR!

Now this is more like it. I was not too psyched about the A-Ha inpired “One Way Trigger” so its really nice to hear the boys do one right with “All The Time.” Now I’m back to being excited for the new album, Comedown Machine.

flavorpill:

The Beatles playing The Ed Sullivan Show is just one of the crazy 8-bit GIFs in our slideshow of famous moments in music history, all done by musician Joshua Carrafa.

This should be accompanied by this MIDI of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”

kanyewesanderson:

Fantastic Mr. Fox / Gold Digger

An amazing tumblr mashup blog

[via tomgam]

Digging this album. Lo-fi and retro, but not cloyingly hokie. The first track is much needed pop-rock.

(Source: Spotify)

Uh, this is happiness. Ben Folds & Friends doing the “Fraggle Rock” theme song.

[full “Do It Anyway” video here]

Saw a bottle of Penfolds wine in the grocery store, and couldn’t get this out of my head. In honor of the new album and the show Friday, I figured it was time to bring it into existence. 

The new Ben Folds Five record has hit. Been waiting for this for a while. Fucking awesome album. Can’t wait to see them play in Central Park on Friday.