The Strokes

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

As The Guardian ("Casablancas' lyrics are often incoherent") and The Independant ("...with lyrics often not understandable") go on and on about the cliched view that Strokes singer Julian Casablancas' lyrics are meaningless, I hope some of you have bought the album and seen Casablancas for the lyrical genius he is.

Ask Me Anything: "Harmless children, we named our soldiers after you"

This line was actually cited as one of the "meaningless" lyrics in an article in, I think, NME. Apparently, the Strokes are too cool to do politics. But I read another interview where they now acknowledge their responsibility as artists. This, for me, is a clearly politically loaded lyric.

The song Ize of the World is the best example of Julian's genius and political edge. A mistrust for modern society shines through alongside a genius link between title and lyrics.

http://www.shesfixingherhair.co.uk/lyrics_izeoftheworld.html

Check the link to read.

I know The Strokes are no R.A.T.M. But I don't like R.A.T.M. The Strokes make better music. They won't go out and protest like Bono. And certainly won't join the Conservatives like apparent-modern day saint "Sir" Bob Geldof. But genius lyrics have been coupled with a political edge and incredible music to make this album their best so far.

Anyone with any thoughts? Probably soft stuff for you Rage fans. But to me it means a lot. Plus, this is clearly more clever and subtle anger than R.A.T.M.'s screaming protests. Which, for me, is much more credible.

[commiecrusader]

The Strokes' new album is genius, and the politics in it are subtle but beautifully done. This album is a masterpiece, regardless of it's political undertones, but with those added, it is nigh on perfect in its genre.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Agreed. It is an artistic maserpiece even without the political messages. With them, it is a cultural, artistic and musical masterpiece. And I don't think I am exagerrating at all. I don't know whether it will receive the critical acclaim it deserves. But for the avid artistic fan of music, this is bound to remain a classic.

[boosh logic]

I havn't got the new album yet but it looks pretty good - their video (I forget which song for) looked like they were taking a darker approach.

Does anyone from UK know when they are touring next?

[commiecrusader]

They are touring in February but its sold out apart from in Nottingham and Doncaster. Go to www.thestrokes.com to check it out.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Yeah you're way too late to get one of the best venues. Sold out in hours.

[Invader Zim]

I'm a big indie/post-punk fan, but I don't like the Strokes that much. Sure they have had some good songs and are very influencial but I don't rate them so highly.

In terms of lyrics, I don't think a lot of bands have the edge on them, these lyrics below are probably two of the best I have read.


"Arbeit macht frei
Transports of invalids
Hartheim Castle breathes us in
In block 5 we worship malaria
Lagerstrasse, poplar trees
Beauty lost, dignity gone
Rascher surveys us butcher bacteria"

Manic Street Preachers

"her old man
He don't like blacks or queers
yet he's proud he beat the nazis? - how queer..."

The Libertines

But in all honesty, political lyrics are usually really despressing.

But the standard of lyrics wee have been seeing sinse the rise of neo-indie rock has been doing my head in. At least the Arctic Monkeys write catchy and poetic lyrics, even if the most serious they get is about hookers and bouncers.

[Cyanide Suicide]

The new CD is pretty good, but it is not nearly as good as "Is this it?" in my opinion.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Yeah I like the Arctic Monkeys, I think, in the same way you do. Plus some of the music is really good, like that riff off of "Scummy". Or "Sun Goes Down", whatever they changed the name to now.

Arbeit Macht Frei is one of my favourite Libertines songs. Awesome.

The Strokes lyrics have got much more meaning on this album though. And despite the shitty reviews, it is an amazing album.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Originally posted by [email protected] 23 2006, 12:09 AM
The new CD is pretty good, but it is not nearly as good as "Is this it?" in my opinion.
I really don't see how people (and the bastard reviewers) can think that.

As much as I love "Is This is?", and it is the perfect debut album, "First Impressions..." is perfect for it's timing. They've done the perfect debut. The not so perfect, but extremely good and catchy follow-up and the perfect third album.

The lyrics are meaningful and thoughful ("Ize of the World" in particular), the music is much more thought through. For some completely idiotic reason, people are calling it "overproduced", when it's not AT ALL. You can still hear each individual part and can clearly hear each part as being Albert or Nick, it's just louder and fuller, to match the vocals.

It's perfect. And I won't hesitate to say it.

[cccpcommie]

Originally posted by Socialsmo o [email protected] 12 2006, 10:55 PM
As The Guardian ("Casablancas' lyrics are often incoherent") and The Independant ("...with lyrics often not understandable") go on and on about the cliched view that Strokes singer Julian Casablancas' lyrics are meaningless, I hope some of you have bought the album and seen Casablancas for the lyrical genius he is.

Ask Me Anything: "Harmless children, we named our soldiers after you"

This line was actually cited as one of the "meaningless" lyrics in an article in, I think, NME. Apparently, the Strokes are too cool to do politics. But I read another interview where they now acknowledge their responsibility as artists. This, for me, is a clearly politically loaded lyric.

The song Ize of the World is the best example of Julian's genius and political edge. A mistrust for modern society shines through alongside a genius link between title and lyrics.

http://www.shesfixingherhair.co.uk/lyrics_izeoftheworld.html

Check the link to read.

I know The Strokes are no R.A.T.M. But I don't like R.A.T.M. The Strokes make better music. They won't go out and protest like Bono. And certainly won't join the Conservatives like apparent-modern day saint "Sir" Bob Geldof. But genius lyrics have been coupled with a political edge and incredible music to make this album their best so far.

Anyone with any thoughts? Probably soft stuff for you Rage fans. But to me it means a lot. Plus, this is clearly more clever and subtle anger than R.A.T.M.'s screaming protests. Which, for me, is much more credible.
nonsense..liking the strokes more is an opinion..i like rage against the machine so much more..why? cuz they made more hit songs and they got a few points across..the strokes did not..if rage were to come back and make a record..name any amount..go ahead i bet you that rage would sell more..and they even tell you to download their music..

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I am also a pretty big fan of indy and post-punk, but The Strokes blow.
They were on SNL last night, and their performance was shit, to say the least.

On a similar note, Prince will be on SNL on the fourth of next month. That's in two weeks. Can't wait.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

ccpcommie:

Why the obsession with record sales?

RedZeppelin:

The Strokes NEVER put any effort into things like SNL or chat shows they appear on. They openly say they hate it and, I can assure you, their live performances to their fans at gigs are incredible.

But then, if your basis of good music is performances on popular TV shows, then you keep at it.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

ccpcommie?


they got a few points across..the strokes did not


I think I know what you mean,
But watch what you say.
‘Cause they'll be trying to knock you down in some way.

Sometimes it feels like the world
Is falling asleep.
How do you wake someone up
From inside a dream?

Your mind would wander and search
For its place in the night.
Your body followed this feeling
Like following light.

Once that your music was born
It followed you 'round
And then it gave your activities meaning and let you be loud.

You're sad but you smile.
It’s not in your eyes.
Your eyeballs don’t change.
It's the muscles around your eyes.

An egg to fertilize,
A pulse to stabilize,
A body to deodorize,
A life to scrutinize,
A child to criticize,
Young adults to modernize,
Citizens to terrorize,
Generations to desensitize.

Your dreams are sweet and obsessed,
And you're overworked.
You're overtaken by visions
of being overlooked.
How disappointed would
D(ead)I(dealisitc)D(esperate)I(inventor)P(ioneer)P (hilosophers) be
To see such power in our hands
All wasted on greed?
I am a prisoner to instincts
Or do my thoughts
Just live as free and detatched
As boats to the dock?
Just like when music is born
And detached from your heart.
Is your free time to free minds or
For falling apart?

Night after night,
You turn out the light.
You don’t fall asleep right away.
“Are we... are we done?”

A desk to organize,
A product to advertise,
A market to monopolize,
Movies stars to idolize,
Leaders to scandalize,
Enemies to neutralize,
No time to apologize,
Fury to tranquilize,
Weapons to synchronize,
Cities to vaporize.


I dunno bout you, but I can see just a few "points" that are "getting across" in that song.

Although you probably won't read is all because you're too busy throwing stuff around and moshing your head to some gimp shouting "FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT THEY TELL ME! FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT THEY TELL ME!" amongst other imaginative lyrical wisdom.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Oh, and I forgot to ask...What in god's name does:


liking the strokes more is an opinion

mean?

Isn't everyone's choice of artists and opinion.

[The Grey Blur]

Socialismo please stop going on about how terrible RATM are and how brilliant the Strokes are

No one cares...


Although you probably won't read is all because you're too busy throwing stuff around and moshing your head to some gimp shouting "FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT THEY TELL ME! FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT THEY TELL ME!" amongst other imaginative lyrical wisdom.

Born Of A Broken Man (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rage-against-the-machine/113488.html)

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Well, apparently they do because all of my posts about it have been in response to other people's post.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Originally posted by Socialsmo o [email protected] 23 2006, 10:05 AM
ccpcommie:

Why the obsession with record sales?

RedZeppelin:

The Strokes NEVER put any effort into things like SNL or chat shows they appear on. They openly say they hate it and, I can assure you, their live performances to their fans at gigs are incredible.

But then, if your basis of good music is performances on popular TV shows, then you keep at it.
Yes, I do judge performers on their performances. No matter where they are, right?
I was a part of their audience, they were performing for me. And they failed miserably at entertaining me. Thus, in my opinion, they suck balls.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Well I diasgree. To get the best performance out of anyone, you'll always have to be at an tour gig. Instead of attending some yuppy tv show.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I did not attend SNL, I was an audience member watching ot on TV.
And I hold that SNL is no more part of yuppie culture than The Strokes.

[Socialsmo o Muerte]

Ok. You hold that.

[Zero]

Hmmm, The Strokes are alright.

I like the old Weezer, or White Stripes, though those aren't political much. My fav political bands are probably SOAD, Bob Marley, or Reel Big Fish... though the last two aren't as political as the first of course =P.

EDIT: RATM is alright I guess... but I like to listen to bands who do more then smash their heads into their drums, or aimlessly slam away at their Guitar... SOAD is about as hard as I go into Screamo and stuff. Slipknot is just wretched noise IMO.

[Hegemonicretribution]

I finally listened to this a coulpe of weeks ago, although I wasn't anticipating much. All I can say is, where the fuck are the strokes? I thought they were shit :D

The earlier stuff, to be honest, I despised. It sounds like they have had some lessons on their instruments, and come together, coupled with better music writing, and improved lyrics. Thumbs up here.

[Invader Zim]

Originally posted by [email protected] 23 2006, 06:07 AM
I am also a pretty big fan of indy and post-punk, but The Strokes blow.
They were on SNL last night, and their performance was shit, to say the least.

On a similar note, Prince will be on SNL on the fourth of next month. That's in two weeks. Can't wait.
And you don't like the manics either?

You want to listen to the Smiths, the Manics, Suede, Pulp, Echo and the Bunnymen, British Sea Power, the Cribs, Black rebel motorcycle club, Editors, the Cranberries, the levellers, the music, my vitriol, placebo, the libertines, etc.

I'm not such a big fan of the indie from the US which manages to cross the pond. I don't mind a couple of Interpol songs, and the killers are listenable to but beyond that I'm not a huge fan of US indie.

Though some Canadian stuff is great.