Albums by this artist

First Impressions Of Earth (2006)

Room On Fire (2003)

Is This It (2001)

Interviews

Retro Rock In The Modern Age
February 1, 2002

The Strokes

First Impressions Of Earth

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» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

The Strokes First Impressions Of Earth RCA, 2006 RiYL: The Cars, XTC, Ween

This is not the first time around for the Strokes, but the impression left by their third album is that this is a pretty darn good band. Groups who make a big debut splash often have a tough time getting through the next two records on their way to an extended career, but the Strokes have followed a well-worn but effective path – their sophomore release was more of the same, yet with slightly rougher edges; clearing the way for more confident experimentation on album number three.

And following suit, First Impressions Of The Earth is the most expansive, challenging, and ultimately rewarding of the Strokes’ efforts to date. Within are fresh/familiar examples of the group’s Lower East Side grunge-meets-Broadway melodies shtick, but we also get some more intriguing fare, hinting that the group’s well of creativity is just really starting to flow.

Musically, drummer Fab Moretti is the shining star, pacing the album with entrancing fills and a metronomic precision that keeps the songs sounding clean despite the group’s occasional practiced sloppiness. His layered rhythms propel the chugging rockers “Heart In A Cage” and “The Other Side,” and he flips beats on a dime in the multi-sectioned “Vision Of Division” and “Evening Sun.” One of the album’s most striking tracks, “Ask Me Anything,” shocks perhaps because the group’s heartbeat is missing completely from the Mellotron-and-vocals ditty.

As before, there are a handful of straight-up pop anthems on this one. “Razorblade” makes its mark with Julian Casablancas spouting romantic clichés and a Manilow-nicked melody over a bed of cutesy guitar licks. The slick “Electricityscape” takes its pretty time building to a cathartic chorus that cribs lyrics from Glenn Frey (!). OK, so they’re not so original when it comes to their hooks, but yet, either of these could be a summery radio hit on its own.

It’s later on the long-ish album (14 tracks) that the group really stretches out. “15 Minutes” and “Ize Of The World” make a dashing pair – the former starting out with Casablancas’ Shane McGowan impression but leading into an uptempo reflection on fame and the meaning of life, while the latter tune is an impassioned political musing with (again) another righteous Moretti backbeat and a killer ‘80s-style guitar solo.

It’s not that the Strokes have turned into Radiohead, or are in some other way laying claim to being a groundbreaking musical act. The band is still, at this late date, sticking a little too close for comfort to its inspirations. But there is something about First Impressions Of The Earth that elicits the listener’s respect. Whatever else you might say about them, this group can play, and now through three albums, they’ve yet to cut a dud. With their “moment” already a couple years in the past, these kids seem like they might just stick around for another decade or so, and I for one will be interested to hear what they come up with.

TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.