First up is the Strokes' return to New York. It's amazing how excited I can get over a band whose particular brand of rock n' roll cool relies heavily on an air of apathy. Regardless of whatever problems they may have had putting together Angles, I still think it's a really solid record. The cover art is atrocious, and made me more prejudiced to think the album would be awful than any of their interviews about Julian only liking X% of the songs, etc. I've let it seep in over the course of 2 weeks and several plays, and it has really grown on me. I really do hope they get over whatever creative process problems they had, and continue to put out more music.
The last time I saw them was my junior year, playing on campus. It was absurdly exciting, to say the least.
Speaking of the Aragon, I can't help but feel a little old, because the first time I saw the Strokes there was also my first real concert. One of my favorite pictures is from that night - we look so young! I found a review of that show elsewhere online, and it's like a weird time warp: they didn't even have enough songs to do an encore! And tonight they play to a sold-out Madison Square Garden. So people can say whatever they want about the Strokes, but they'll always be one of the most seminal bands in my rotation.
is more cheerful than The First Days of Spring was (thank goodness), but it still offers the same type of lyrical narrative that can be universally understood. I'm really looking forward to their show next week. So far I'm really attached to "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.", "Just Me Before We Met" and "The Line."
