The Strokes’ fifth outing Comedown Machine is finally here and it’s definitely different. Different is by far no means bad though. Since their first album, The Strokes have given us some of the most influential and experimental musical material offered. The only problem is that ever since that first album, many loyal fans have been disappointed by a lack of similarity to that stunning selection they initially emerged with. But the good news is, that refreshingly, The Strokes have somehow managed to carry on their developments of sound while providing some high quality throwbacks to their original work.
The album opens with ‘Tap Out’, a casual yet upbeat rhythm welcomes us and indulges with guitar reminiscent of Albert Hammond Jr’s solo work. It’s catchy and introduces us to a toned down alteration to the voice we’ve come to expect from Casablancas.
Two absolute shockers come from the second and sixth songs, ‘All the Time’ and ‘50 50’. These two songs reward faithful Strokes fans, as they reach into the past for influence. They both have the classic steady beat and melodic chord strokes ringing throughout, paired with periodic bursts of energy when the chorus blasts out; creating iconic sections that look back to classics such as ‘Last Night’ and ‘Reptilia’.
The most interesting tracks to listen to however are the ones that develop the style they’ve been building for years. ‘Welcome to Japan’, ‘80’s Comedown Machine’, ‘Partner in Crime’ and ‘Chances’ are radically different from The Strokes’ origins. The clever little riffs combined with excellently matched chord sequences allow both Valensi and Hammond Jr to shine, while the smooth vocal work helps to create a sound that is some of the best and original work from this quintet in years.
The Strokes are a band that has drawn a loyal fan base over the years and the experimentation with their sound has perturbed some of them. But this album is an excellent piece of innovation and it seems to have perfected a sound they have being working toward for years. They are clearly a band that enjoys change and trying new sounds, and this change is a very welcome one.
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