The Strokes - You Only Live Once
Oct 17, 2006 10:43:25 GMT -5
Post by pen on Oct 17, 2006 10:43:25 GMT -5
jdmasta289 said:
penance said:
Honestly, I don't like FIOE nearly as much as the previous albums. To me, it's lost a lot of the simple catchiness and appeal that ITI and ROF had. I really think they tried too hard to please the critics that said they were a one-trick pony and in doing so, revealed that they were. Most of the songs on FIOE strike me as pretty boring and directionless.
This is honestly one of my favorite albums of the year, even if I don't consider myself a hardcore Strokes fan to begin with. I really fail to see how the Strokes would consciously make an album to satisfy any critics, considering everyone in the music business (and them especially) know damn well that most of the critics are already on their side.
No, this doesn't have the simple appeal of their last two albums, but who wanted them to do the same thing again, anyway? I'm relieved they decided to progress toward better musical heights - and this displays a talent their last two albums didn't necessarily do.
Boring and directionless is a judgment call, but not every musical group should try to conquer the world with revolutionary songs that take some great meaning. I mean, look at the Fray. Just nice musicianship and songs that don't take some huge significance. Just great and honest music that is complex enough. Sometimes musical complexity can become boring if the songs take on the same complexity (i.e. Panic! At The Disco), but in this case, I think it works because none of the songs, especially the singles, sound identical.
I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I think you're confusing me with the people I usually rail against. I listen to nu-metal. I'm not looking for revolutionary songs with great meaning, just some fun catchy ditties that I can hum along with. You know this, man.
I think the first two albums were better, and I know critics were not necessarily on the band's side with Room On Fire, because there was a lot of criticism that it was too much like the first album. That's why I think they tried to really push the envelope with First Impressions, and I just don't think it worked out for the best. Most of the songs just lose me. They lack the simple fun of songs like "Under Control", "The End Has No End", "I Can't Win", "Take It Or Leave It", or "Last Nite". "Juicebox" has that, and to some extent "Heart In A Cage" does as well. I think a couple of other songs might, but the majority just run off the road.
I didn't want them to necessarily do the same thing again. I actually was excited by the prospect of them being more exploratory, but I think that in doing so they lost what made them good to begin with, and that's what disappoints me. That they were apparently unable to grow as a band without sacrificing what made them enjoyable to begin with.
If you like it, good for you. Enjoy it. I don't.