After the disappointment that was room on fire the strokes returned with an enjoyable third album, although its not entirely the strokes everyone knows and loves.

The sound has largely changed and this album has a more rock than indie approach to it. The catchy guitar openings and laid back (great) muffled vocals have gone. Instead you get a more shouty and louder julian. The guitar riffs are still there and better than ever. Hearts in a cage and juicebox open with flarey and stylish guitar solos which give great effect as these songs pound on with raw intent.

Its not their best and its not their worst. Its more a hardedged approach which i clearly welcome. The strokes have left the teenager guitar pop and given a brilliant more grown up-ish album.

Sadly, it seems the strokes will never be able to top their first album "Is this it". This album, the follow up to "Room on fire" is by no means a bad album but it just doesn't seem to capture that something that made their first album so special. It seems to me like they are trying to appeal to a wider audiance and almost as if they are trying too hard. It has a good few stand out songs that you will love but theres also a few on there that will make you think "why the hell is this on here?!". The album as a whole doesn't flow as well as the other two but if you just pick out your favorite songs you will love it. This album is definetly a grower. I recommend picking it up.

When i first got this, i was a bit disappointed because the previous 2 were great (ROOM ON FIRE & IS THIS IT), but once i started listening to it more, because i really wanted to like it, because The Strokes are one of my favourite band.
I thought it was great, a must buy for anyone who likes FRATELLIS, COLDPLAY, SNOW PATROL, KILLERS, KEANE,STEREOPHONICS, HOOSIERS or OASIS
Can't wait for the next one