The Strokes - 'Reptilia' (Rough Trade)
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
One danger here - this is exactly what Strokes haters think The Strokes sound like. And, if you'll forgive one for abandoning the old 'objective music critic' position for approximately three glorious angry pop minutes, but it's also more than adequate proof why such doubters are, in a word, wrong.
It may not shock, but it'll sure as hell invigorate, 'Reptilia's strength being that it manages to perfect the typical Strokes song without ever sounding as if it's in danger of slipping into self-parody. It's basically New York's finest on top form, teasing with erratic break-downs before Julian Casablancas' new-found growl suddenly tears all over the top of some pounding guitar work as a plucky little riff tries valiantly to escape from underneath it all. All that and one hell of a guitar solo equals one lucky listener.
Despite being one of their more heated efforts to date (a world away from the glorious melodies of '12:51'), its confusingly subtle nature is something to behold - not instant, but ultimately unforgettable. The 'anti-Strokes', that most puzzling of all endangered species, look to be on increasingly shaky ground.
Artists in this article: The Strokes
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