The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth (RCA)
release: January 3, 2006 (whoops!)
rating: *

Releasing a record on the first Tuesday of the year is practically unheard of. Mostly, labels are still putting out repackaged greatest hits albums or better yet, still on vacation. Furthermore, releasing around January 1 has now turned out to be just like what the movie industry does, throwing out the leftovers that they know won't be candidates for best of the year. This album proves it! And knowing that "Juicebox" is the first single from First Impressions of Earth is a good indication of what a mess this third album is. The Strokes were either really drunk or weren't interested in melodies or both. There are a few good spots here. Just a few. And they are few and far between. Very far. Julian Casablancas just might be singing about something more serious and introspective this time but the music isn't good enough to care. "Fear of Sleep," at least, is a small highlight and has slight emotional impact. It's a tiny climax on an otherwise lifeless album that is generally painful to hear. If anything, the Strokes made it a point to release the first big let down of the year. -Kenyon


March 3 and 4 in NYC. Sold out. Shout Out Louds and Adam Green (who put out his own excuse for a record one year ago) on various dates. at least the website looks pretty rad.