Thoughts on The Strokes' First Impressions of Earth
This is really very uninteresting. But what did I expect? There are some tracks here that I am really quite in love with, but they are few and far between. The album, itself, really does nothing for me. They show some dash, sure …but not even as much as you’d think. Outside of Juice Box (which I found to be an interesting miscalculation) the boys don’t stray all that far from their normal tricks. Which would be fine except that the besieged apathy, so prevalent (and even charming) on their previous works comes off a bit more tired here than I am comfortable with. They’re reaching…and it seems to only be because they feel that they have to.
Honestly, the most noticeable change of pace would be in the production. The wall of sound being in full affect. None of this we-are-an-indie-band-so-we-recorded-this-in-a-crisp-tincan shit. They have never sounded so full, or more RAWKING. Whether that is a good thing or not, of course, is up to the listener.Also, on Ask me Anything it's just Julian, a simple, ambient analog tread and his self doubt. It's somewhat affecting, and a genuine change of mood for them.
That's the other thing, though. Julian clearly tried to step up his game this time out and reveals that there's not all that much there. Lyrical quality is a plus for me but it's not necessary for me to embrace a work. But when it's put in the forefront like how it is on most of the album, it's hard not to notice the shortcomings.
The whole thing just seems lazy? Which is unfortunate, as this was supposed to be their most daring work yet. Sadly, it comes off as their most truthful failure.
