[Pitabread]

As we await the 4th Strokes album (should be out early '10 I think), we've heard projects from Nikolai, Albert, and Fab, and now we get to hear a full album from Julian. The first time I listened to it on myspace, I was kind of indifferent about it. Its very VERY synthy and not what I expected from a member of the Strokes.
I picked it up a few hours ago (it was released today) and listening to it on the way home, I liked it a lot more. The rhythms are very Strokesish, but instead of guitars playing them, its synthesizers and keyboards. I haven't listened to them much, but from what I caught here and there, the lyrics are pretty good. Anyway, I recommend this to the avid Strokes fan, or anyone that enjoys synth heavy pop songs.

the single, 11th Dimension:

[Laurence]

11th Dimension is an insanely catchy song, it's probably the album highlight. I grabbed the leak and I've spun it a good 18 times or so, and I'm liking it a lot. Some of the songs actually seem too long. They're good songs, they just drag on a bit. There's some Strokes-ish influence in there but I daresay he wanted to try and distance himself from that sound a bit, and the full-on synth-pop approach does that pretty well. The other highlights are Left & Right In The Dark, River of Brakelights and Tourist. I reckon it's a solid 7 or 8 out of 10.

It kinda reminds me of that La Roux bullshit that's doing the rounds at the moment, but much less offensive.

[phonetics]

I picked it up at Best Buy today for ten bucks. I've been anticipating this album since I first heard 11th Dimension about a month ago, I've gone through it at least three times and so far it doesn't disappoint. The only song that gives off a truly Strokesque kind of vibe is River of Brakelights. The rest of them are unique enough to give this album a lot of variety, particularly 4 Chords of the Apocalypse which has a very blues kind of feel to it. Glass and Out of the Blue are definite stands out, really digging 'em.

I don't generally judge an album until I've had it for a while but I definitely like it so far. Just another reason to be excited for Strokes '10 release.

Also, did anyone else see Casablancas on Conan? It was hilariously bad.

[Pitabread]

Yeah I saw him play on Conan, it did kind of suck. The drummer was funny looking though, so he kept me entertained. After listening to it more, I'd say my favorite song is Tourist, 4 Chords of the Apocalypse is a pretty good one too (it says that Fab, Nick and Nik helped write the chord progression, I didnt know they were helping with this album at all). I see what you're saying about distancing himself from the Strokes sound though, Laurence.