Worst Impressions of Earth: Paula vs. Dustin on The Strokes

Dustin: Okay, now I'm a Strokes fan, but I'm going to have to throw this new album "First Impressions of Whatever" on the top of the disappointments of 2006 list.

Paula: That's "First Impressions of the Earth" to you, sir, and it doesn't really belong on any disappointment pile. It might be a less visceral effort than "This Is It?" and "Room on Fire," but it's also got much more developed melodies that cut loose in a poppier kind of way. Coming from a band that way too many people anointed as the saviors of rock, I think that "First..." is worthy, if misunderstood, evidence that The Strokes don't take themselves too seriously and and neither should their fans (and critics). Just lay back, relax and have fun with it.

Dustin: See, but that's my problem with it. The album doesn't make me want to lay back and relax and have fun, like their other albums do. The Strokes are good at making fun three-minute songs and albums that run less than 40 minutes. This new album is long and full of songs that clock in over four minutes and often lack that energy that defines the Strokes sound.

Paula: But that's just it. They've put out an album that has a "new Strokes" feel to it, without completely bucking the "old Strokes" sound. It's become way too common (standard practically) for a rock band that comes out with a promising, highly-praised debut, to follow it up with a solid, reliable second effort, only to arrive at its third collaboration feeling like it needs to be experimental and different to remain edgy. It's a formula that's worked for bands like Radiohead (OK Computer), The Clash (London Calling) and even Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin III), but it has become almost cliche. Some might accuse "First..." of being a cowardly effort from a band that lacks the balls to completely revamp its sound, but haters would have poopooed that as selling out and would've probably bitched even louder had it been too similar to "Is This It?" and "Room on Fire." I think it's commendable that they're willing to try new things (think the lack of percussion on "Ask Me Anything" or "On the Other Side's" hints or reggae), while you've still got a track like "You Only Live Once" that could've come from 2001 or 2003. First gives you hard riffs, garage sounds, carefree poppier fluff and Julian Casablancas yelling and whispering...how can you not just chill out with it and let it remind you what it is you liked about The Strokes in the first place and how much potential they still have left. With so many indie one-hitters sounding the same over and over again, "First..." should make you happy that at least one talented band is going to be around for a while.

Dustin: I don't mind if a band changes their sound - just don't change it from "catchy" to "boring." As examples of change, you mention "On The Other Side," which is lame, boring and whiny, and "Ask Me Anything," a waste of time that is more a bad poetry reading than a song. Other tracks, like "Fear of Sleep" and "Vision of Division," do nothing except show us that Julian can scream like a howler monkey. And songs like "Electricityscape" and "Killing Lies" sound like they could be from any average band vying to get their lead singer on American Idol. In Jurassic Park, eternal nerd Jeff Goldblum says something about how change is often a scary and dangerous thing. I think this album is a perfect example of that.

Paula: It's not an unflawed track list, but it's definitely a balanced one. Yes, some songs find Julian being whiny and others find him howling like a jungle dweller, but again, the contrast makes not entirely for a new sound but for a balanced sound that grows on you after multiple listens. A song like "Juicebox" is a perfect example of what make "First..." more accessible to wider listening audiences that like a broad spectrum of sound in 35+ minutes. Admit it, The Strokes are growing up and some fans (ahem) are in denial about it because not that long ago they epitomized rock and roll salvation... which, I think the always level-headed Mr. Goldblum would agree, is an unimaginative notion to begin with.

Dustin: Well I still find their new "grown up" sound mostly boring, and I blame Drew Barrymore. Just look what she did to Tom Green.

Paula: So now you're resorting to the Yoko Ono argument? First off, Tom Green lost a nut. Can you blame the guy for not wanting to suckle with cows after that? Are you going to say it's Drew Barrymore's fault the guy lost one of his boys? Besides, she's dating the drummer. Since when does the drummer affect the direction of a band? Unless you're the one-armed dude from Def Leppard or the guy who was in Nirvana, no one even knows your name if you're the drummer - not even your bandmates.

Dustin: BattleOverBarrymore.blogspot.com?

Paula: Admit it: you've watched at least one Drew Barrymore movie and liked it. Just like I know that there are more than a couple of songs on "First..." that you like enough to have actually tried to get tickets to their concert next month.

Dustin: Hey, just because I still want to hang out with Drew when she comes to NYC doesn't mean I liked 50 First Dates.