finally heard the new Strokes record today...

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in a record store in New Jersey. Some of my thoughts are best expressed in the following IM conversation...

s-: it's all in the context, whatever. i talk so much trash that it's sick.
s-: then always get guiltily caught out.
s-: i need my jaws wired shut
Hstencil: btw the Strokes suck donkey balls.
Hstencil: they're like the aural equivalent of drinking water. Except not good for you.
s-: yeah, they are shite
s-: plus ------ is kind of a cocksucker
Hstencil: they played their shitty record in Princeton Record Exchange when I was there today.
s-: that record blows
s-: if that record was a person i would not fuck it
Hstencil: god so boring, so uninspired, so poorly played!
s-: no matter how drunk i was
Hstencil: yeah that record is a bad lay!
s-: even if that record turned into [name withheld], i would still say "step off!"
Hstencil: you and I should write record reviews that are just like transcripts of IMs.
s-: that would be genius
Hstencil: with certain names whited-out.
s-: yes, of course
s-: we should give the ilm world the benefit of our opinion on the strokes record, no doubt
Hstencil: fuck yeah.
Hstencil: I think I will post this sans names.
s-: yes, go for it!
s-: but really, the sheer laziness that emanates from that album is appalling

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 06:21 (twenty-one years ago)

well my thoughts and that of my correspondent. Anyway, it's complete crap and anybody who buys it, deserves it.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 06:23 (twenty-one years ago)

dude you were at the princeton record exchange today?! that's like 5 minutes from where i grew up!

i am jealous obv

― geeta (geeta), Monday, 3 November 2003 06:49 (twenty-one years ago)

i am disappointed that you did not once say "haha". what kind of IM record review is this?!

― geeta (geeta), Monday, 3 November 2003 06:50 (twenty-one years ago)

well yeah plus I got some good records, none of which were by Les Strokages.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 06:50 (twenty-one years ago)

"Les Strokages"!

i prefer "Der Stroken"

― geeta (geeta), Monday, 3 November 2003 06:51 (twenty-one years ago)

i prefer "strokin'" by clarence carter.

― lauren (laurenp), Monday, 3 November 2003 06:55 (twenty-one years ago)

well yeah, that's a given!

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 06:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I prefer "Me and Les Hydropathes"!

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 3 November 2003 07:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i like it. u r all harringay

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 10:31 (twenty-one years ago)

me too.

(finally i have boiled the essence of most of my posts down into one easy to use phrase)

― Dave M. (rotten03), Monday, 3 November 2003 10:33 (twenty-one years ago)

you could shorten it even more to just 'buh'

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 11:10 (twenty-one years ago)

hstencil you are wrong but we'll work with that

― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 3 November 2003 11:14 (twenty-one years ago)

i like the new strokes album! but i'd like them even better if they changed their name to 'der stroken.'

― geeta (geeta), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:17 (twenty-one years ago)

haha drinking water: 10 out of 10!

― David. (Cozen), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

water is life.

― RJG (RJG), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:36 (twenty-one years ago)

i heard their new song on Ver Radio the other day, without having any idea who it was (though I should have known because who else could it be) and i was like "wow, the radio plays good stuff over here in Englandia"

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I think you just have to forget it's Der Stroken and then it becomes good! btw how crazy is it that Lou Reed's singing style has caught on with someone else? It's like someone said "hey I'm the new Johnny Cash!" You're like that's great but... why??

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess it works fine as car music. Oh, wait, a copy protection mark. I guess, no use in the car stereo then. Oh well...

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:52 (twenty-one years ago)

the main thing bugging me at the mo is how often he seems to sing about 'wasting time', his time, your time, her time...i mean dude the album's short enough, relax!

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 12:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, Julian Casablancas has done nothing with his life. He should get out a little more and scare up some work.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 3 November 2003 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I hear Kate is hiring someone in the ass department.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Honestly....

The new album is uninspired, and reaching for something it can't have. Sounds forced. I truly do not like this band, due to their star quotient... but the first LP, seriously, was catchy. It stayed in yr head, whether you wanted it to, or not. This new LP, nothing grabs you. It comes off tired and strained. Poor suckers.

ha ha.

― gage o (gage o), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

c'mon everybodee its the strokes!!! its gonna be grate!!!

― ilm (jdesouza), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I'm anticipating the Strokes album in precisely the same way I'm anticipating getting hit in the crotch; with severe trepidation and fear coupled the understanding that if I never encounter it, I will be a happy happy man.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:02 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a pretty good album, still haven't made a final verdict on it yet. Rock music for people not arsed listening to rock music which is a fantastic idea.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

i liked the single. but i liked the singles off "is this it", and i found the album a disappointment. i will play "room on fire" when i get home and perhaps post my thoughts.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:07 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm finding it VERY catchy, more hooks than the last one even

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

(i hardly listened to the last one in full)

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I am drinking water and listening to Room On Fire, it's quite enjoyable.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a feeling I would like the new one OK, but after giving it some thought & reading how same-sounding it is, I'm fine w/ just the one Strokes record. I mean, those things cost money, you know?

― Mark (MarkR), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Rock music for people not arsed listening to rock music which is a fantastic idea.

Has the 'rap music for people not arsed etc.' and 'dance music for people not arsed etc.' for this year happened yet? We must find them.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:28 (twenty-one years ago)

'a fantastic idea'

.. which we will just have to credit you with, Ronan. I'm sure their idea was way higher, loftier, Strokesier even.

I've only heard the single and by my current rule of acceptability for any song - ie. whether it can be covered by this down-at-heel covers band I'm in - the Strokes thing passes.

But then so did 'Silver Machine' by Hawkwind.

― mick hall (mick hall), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Not sure, I bet I'd be bitching about the dance one though Ned which means.....................JUNIOR SENIOR!

hiphop one is what?

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:30 (twenty-one years ago)

hiphop is junior senior also

also rock

― geeta (geeta), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:32 (twenty-one years ago)

No other bands need exist! Junior Senior are the music for people not arsed to listen to music.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought Chemical Brothers was dance for people who don't like/can't be arsed with dance

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:52 (twenty-one years ago)

That's old hat. Get with the times.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.easleys.com/hats/O-S/Pilgrim_Hat/pilgrimF15940.jpg

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 3 November 2003 15:55 (twenty-one years ago)

do you people really think this album is "hooky?" I forgot how it sounded like five minutes after it was finished playing!

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

but you applauded that free improv dude for making music to which people could be indifferent!

― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude no way you guys their new song has like a synth they've totally matured seriously.

― David Allen, Monday, 3 November 2003 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

context, amateurist, context.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah david we're all dying for them to mature.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Like a good cheese.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:50 (twenty-one years ago)

>Hstencil: you and I should write record reviews that are just like transcripts of IMs.
s-: that would be genius<

hstencil, you've found your calling - a Pitchfork reviewer!

― Sam J. (samjeff), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I have to admit, for once I am in utter agreement with the Pitchfork review.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

except I would have rated it 9.5

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Rock music for people not arsed listening to rock music which is a fantastic idea

'cept this feels more like rock music by people not arsed making rock music. if you're so bored get out of the way! it just oozes laziness and not in the way that g-funk is lazy, either.

― rob geary (rgeary), Monday, 3 November 2003 18:52 (twenty-one years ago)

i am lazy but i love jangle, i also like the way he says 'don't worry about it honey'. this is pretty much enough for me.

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 4 November 2003 14:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 156 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

ned your stance of defiant non-interest with this band is crumbling a bit in the light of your continued need to assert it.

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 08:21 (twenty-one years ago)

'Reptilia' is grebt bcz it sounds like a video game!!

― geeta (geeta), Thursday, 6 November 2003 08:42 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.theonion.com/onion3604/doesnt_own_television.html

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 08:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I finally heard it too. It's rubbish. The vocals are whiningly annoying, the (non)production claustrophobic and the tunes third rate. Hopeless.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 6 November 2003 10:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I used to think that, now I really like it. D'oh!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 6 November 2003 10:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I breathlessly await Nick's package. Ha-HEM. I mean, Nick Southall's parcel-post.

It would really serve me right if I ended up liking it.

― Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 10:46 (twenty-one years ago)

ned your stance of defiant non-interest with this band is crumbling a bit in the light of your continued need to assert it.

*shrugs* If I'm less non-interested than before, it ain't out of love.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 6 November 2003 14:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Why are people who aren't fans of the Strokes seemingly incapable of saying, for instance, "they're not that good" or "they could be better"? Why is it always "rich boy assholes" or "absolute rubbish" or "unlistenable garbage"? Is there anyone out there who doesn't like the Strokes but doesn't feel as though there is a need to be a strident Haterade-guzzler about it?

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:08 (twenty-one years ago)

HI AM THE AMAZING DANIEL! I DON'T REALLY CARE AT ALL ABOUT THE STROKES WHICH IS WHY I DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM ANYOMER!

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:10 (twenty-one years ago)

what the fuck kind of crazy idea is that?

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:19 (twenty-one years ago)

UNFOTURNATELY I WASTE ALL OF MY BILE ON JUSTIN TIMBERSUCK!

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Taking sides: Justin Timberlake vs. Julian Casablancas.

Hmmm. Actually, I think Julian has the better ass, so he wins.

― Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:26 (twenty-one years ago)

sexist

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Is there anyone out there who doesn't like the Strokes but doesn't feel as though there is a need to be a strident Haterade-guzzler about it? they're really not my cup of tea. that is all.

― scott seward, Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Julian also has a better haircut!

― Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

folliclist

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Plus, being sung about by Courtney Love is way cooler than being sung about by Britney!

― Citizen Kate (kate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I have yet to hear this new one, but considering that I found the first one that everyone loved very dull, I have little reason to seek it out.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

"that everyone loved"???!

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, maybe not everyone. I mean - I didn't read the whole thread, but was there anyone who hated the first one and loved the new one? From what I gather, most people are saying it sounds basically the same but maybe not as catchy. To me, the first one wasn't so much catchy as it was simply annoying.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean there's nothing great about having an annoying hook stuck in your brain, is there?

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:40 (twenty-one years ago)

every strokes fan on ilm seems more or less defensive about it, yet several strokes opponents seem to react as though julian casablancas were howling into their ear 24/7

anyhow re. the rich kids thing it seems a clear case of use other whatevers please

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

just to be clear i'm not talking about hstencil here who i think genuinely dislikes the music and that of course is wrong but not really offense-giving in any way

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

every strokes fan on ilm seems more or less defensive about it, yet several strokes opponents seem to react as though julian casablancas were howling into their ear 24/7

I think it's a case of the latter creating the former.

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah - I used to be a little defensive, b/c my somewhat tentative love for them didn't match the stridency of the hataz' hate. But now that I love the new album so much, I'm just a full-fledged fan.

― Sam J. (samjeff), Thursday, 6 November 2003 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't care about their backgrounds, their supposed wealth, their haircuts, their drug habits, and fortunately I'm not having the record piped in to my room 24/7. I did hear it once, I think it sucks, emphatically so, so I started a thread about it. Big deal. Sorry to hurt the feelings of those who feel so strongly about it.

― chopped liver, Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Who here has hurt feelings?

― Sam J. (samjeff), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wish they'd continue in the vein of the "12:51" video and stop dressing like normal people. I want Flock Of Seagulls haircuts. and keytar for Julian.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

just to be clear i'm not talking about hstencil here

― amateur!st (amateurist), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah I know you weren't amateurist but I thought I'd spell out my position for those who think I spend all my time thinking about hating the Strokes.

― chopped liver, Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Also for the record, I don't hold it against anyone for liking the Strokes. I think my main problem with them is the singer's voice - but, you know, different "strokes" for different folks, right?

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll confess I tend to think someone's a rube if they go on about how the Strokes are such a badass rock band. And there are people who do that.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I simply adore The Strokes! Let me play a few tracks for you:

*puts down bowl of catfood*
*cat runs to bowl, pulling string tied around its neck*
*string pulls a peg out of a shelf, causing a bowling ball to run down it*
*bowling ball hits a bell, startling Grandma awake*
*Grandma jumps out of her rocker*
*rocker hits a switch on the wall, turning on a fan*
*fan blows into the sail of a toy sailboat*
*toy sailboat glides across swimming pool, its prow hitting the on button of the CD player*

― Rube Goldberg (Dan Perry), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

ok for about a minute there I thought some insane lurker had shown up before I noticed the e-mail address and remembered my use of the word "rube." god it's been too long since I've seen some Rube Goldberg drawings.

but anyhow I really wish the Strokes would dress more clean on magazine covers. Maybe the Don Johnson look. or maybe those ass pirate ensembles Spandau Ballet used to wear. I'd totally be more into them then (Interpol proves it actually).

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Grandmas jump out of (young privileged) rockers fully formed (and old) like Athenas from the forehead of Zeus (Zeese?), proving that The Strokes = Tom Petty i.e. it's all good, especially for the fans.

― jazz odysseus, Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't mean to be LITERALLY petty, but rock spawns a new revolution of Grandmas and that's what it's all about!

― jazz odysseus, Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

INXS would clean their clocks in a a battle of the bands - YOU KNOW IT TO BE TRUE

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Mmm...you've just reminded me how great "Don't Change" is.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

INXS would clean their clocks in a a battle of the bands - YOU KNOW IT TO BE TRUE

Easily.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

too bad their lead singer is DEAD.

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Thursday, 6 November 2003 22:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Julian's alive? *dodges brickbats*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 6 November 2003 22:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Give him time.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 6 November 2003 22:11 (twenty-one years ago)

two things: first, "laconic" is the operative term for the vocals which I consider to be a positive thing.

second, I feel like the Strokes have bypassed the entire notion of 90s indie and emo. It's like they're starting in 1987 and should be considered peers of the Jesus and Mary Chain, the House of Love, even the Pixies, and a bunch of other bands at the time that were figuring out who the Velvet Underground were. I appreciate that.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 7 November 2003 09:54 (twenty-one years ago)

except the Strokes write way better songs than any of them

― M Matos (M Matos), Friday, 7 November 2003 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

matos otm oh look flying poo

― amateur!st (amateurist), Friday, 7 November 2003 11:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Dear god.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 7 November 2003 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

that's the most boring TRON outtake ever! why did they put that on the dvd??

― rob geary (rgeary), Saturday, 8 November 2003 07:28 (twenty-one years ago)

oh wait that's the video. i kinda like "12:51" because the keyboard plays the same melody as the vocal. i will remove myself from the roster of hataz. i wish at least one of them would get a haircut though.

― rob geary (rgeary), Saturday, 8 November 2003 07:29 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

under control sounds like sam cooke sort of, or it sounds like thats who they might have had in mind, a thought confirmed by the fact that they played "a change is gonna come" after their set.

i still dont have an opinion on the new record. it is certainly not shit, but neither can i decide if its particularly good. give it time.

― amateur!st (amateurist), Wednesday, 17 December 2003 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I like it a great deal and I was really enthusiastic when it came out, but somehow I haven't listened to it more than 3-4 times and I don't think I ever will (same thing as with the new Missy)

― Baaderist (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 17 December 2003 15:36 (twenty-one years ago)

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