If you've ever been to a sports game, watched a car commercial, or listened to the radio, you've probably heard these songs. They're not all necessarily classics, but that doesn't mean they're not overplayed. But I won't stop loving them anyway. Evil - InterpolThis song solidified Interpol's ex-bassist Carlos Dengler as one of the best and most respected bassists of the 21st century, and frankly, of all time. It's not as overused as the other songs on this list, but usually if you ask the average casual music-listener their favorite Interpol song, they'll reply with Evil, which I can't really say is unjustified. Chelsea Dagger - The FratellisAgain, this song isn't nearly as overplayed as the other songs on this list, but boy, have I heard it at a lot of sporting events. From football to field hockey to dare I say it, baseball, this song has entered my ears while trying to understand way too many sports. Hate To Say I Told You So - The HivesI've heard this song in too many advertisements, from movies, to restaurants, to car companies. That doesn't deplete from its outright awesomeness. The Hives are the quintessential stereotypical rock band, so much they're almost even a parody of one. Reptilia - The StrokesI remember the night I first heard this song outside of my own iTunes library clearer than I remember my first day of high school. I was sitting in the living room, watching TV with my mom. My sister got home from gymnastics so she went to talk to my aunt, who dropped her off at home. And then it happened. From the television, I heard a familiar riff. It was Reptilia. This event wasn't the last time I heard Reptilia in a car commercial, though. I've heard it in even more recently. Although this song is definitely overused in advertising, it's still an icon of an era that's not too far in the past yet. Seven Nation Army - The White StripesEvery time I even see the name of this song I want to scream the lyrics and headbang like I did when I was in middle school. Between the bass, the riff, the vocals, and the percussion, this song is pretty much the perfect battle song. How many football games have I heard this song at? Too many, but also not enough. This one's going on the field hockey game day warmup playlist next year. Mr. Brightside - The KillersI was in the seventh grade the first time I heard this song, or rather, started seeing memes about it. You see, I came along too late into the era of 2000s rock. It was past the point where everyone loved them and knew their names, but not so late that they were selling out and claiming that 'rock and roll is dead.' But Mr. Brightside... Mr. Brightside felt timeless. It's obviously the most well-known Killers song, topping Somebody Told Me and Human by a few-thousand radio plays and blasts at family barbecues. And memes, of course. But there's a reason Mr. Brightside is as well known as it is: it's universal. As long as calling cabs, having smokes, taking drags, going to bed, having sick stomachs, and being rejected are around, Mr. Brightside will be too. So, yeah. That's my list.I know we have tons of albums to review and we're currently working on dividing them up between the different blog sections. Don't worry, they'll be here soon. We're just busy.
See you soon!
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This was originally going to be an installation of my Hidden Gems series, where I talk about an artist on the less popular side whose music I think deserves more recognition, but I decided I needed to more for The Feelies than just that. Hailing from my home state of New Jersey (although they're from North Jersey and I'm from Central...), The Feelies were an 80s alternative band (think The Smiths but from New Jersey!) and recently dropped two whole albums. Wow. I'm not reviewing those right now, though. I'm reviewing the album that started it all: Crazy Rhythms. I discovered this album in the nationally-acclaimed Princeton Record Exchange, which is definitely my favorite Princeton location. My friend Sophia ran up to me with the Crazy Rhythms CD, and simply said, 'knockoff Weezer!' Y'know, except the Feelies came up with the plain blue background for Weezer to use 14 years later. The Boy With The Perpetual NervousnessThis song starts off with a slow build that brings a lot of the obviously tense mood of the track. I feel as if the instrumentals on this track really help enforce the message that the lyrics are trying to convey. This song almost makes me feel anxious. The instrumental break towards the end of the song also adds a lot to the tense mood of this song. It's a great opening track, although a lot of the songs on the album don't share the exact same mood. (I'm skipping the demo version) Fa-Ce-LaThis song makes me feel like I'm rushing to get ready to go out somewhere, which is a really specific mood, but definitely shows what the Feelies are trying to convey. This is also a great road trip montage song, which is again super specific. But hey, there's nothing wrong with that! The guitar and bass on this track are really strong and add a lot to the upbeat feeling. Loveless LoveThe third track of Crazy Rhythms takes the upbeat feeling down a few notches. This song builds up a lot slower and is more instrumental than the first two tracks. It still has the same truly Feelies vibe that the first two tracks ave, though, although it sounds a bit darker. The guitar in this song is fast paced and slightly hypnotizing, although it's a lot more mellow than what I was reviewing in my last article (New Skin by. CRX). Forces At WorkThis song starts with a slow build, as a lot of the songs on this album do. It then explodes into a one-chord riff with a chorus of vocals to follow. And that's probably the fanciest sentence I've ever written in an album review. This song is mostly instrumental, but still has a really specific feeling to go along with it. What's that, you ask? Another road trip. To me, this song feels really sentimental, although I can't describe the exact situation it would make me feel sentimental and reminiscent in. Original LoveThis track starts off slow, but gradually builds up into another energetic song, although less upbeat and a bit darker. Again, the guitar is hypnotizing. This song really does sound very early new wave, which is definitely something I appreciate about the whole Feelies vibe. It's both nostalgic and timeless at the same time. But maybe that's just me, a 2000s kid built on 80s culture. Everyone's Got Something To Hide (Except Me And My Monkey)This Beatles cover is actually very Beatles-esque, but still has that classic Feelies vibe. There's really not much I can say about it besides that. It's a solid track, nonetheless. Moscow NightsThis song starts off with yet another slow build into a dark riff that reminds me of something out of Mario Kart (will I ever stop comparing things to Mario Kart? I don't know). The riff is calm and quiet at first before exploding into a chorus of guitar and vocals. The Feelies' lyrics are very metaphorical, which is a complete flip from my last review, and very refreshing. I feel like this is a song to listen to at 3 AM in the middle of August. Raised EyebrowsThis is a classic 'end of a teen movie' kind of song. The riff makes me feel nostalgic for things that have never even happened. The guitar is once again very strong and nearly takes over the song, besides the vocals, which fade in and out like they have with most of these songs. This song is less energetic, but still upbeat and definitely a lighter song. I feel like this song is always leading up to the vocals, which never come in besides in the last quarter of the song. Crazy RhythmsThis track is very classic 80s new wave from the vocals to the riff. The bass in this song nearly overpowers the guitar, which is something I appreciate. The vocals stick around for most of the song until an instrumental break that lasts just about 4 minutes. This instrumental break builds up over time, and goes from just drums and bass to a chorus of little guitar riffs and melodies. The lyrics border literal and metaphorical, especially the whole 'crazy rhythms' part. This whole album has been just a gathering of crazy rhythms, and I love it. I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms (Live)This song is fast, energetic, and really tells the story of someone who just really, really wants to be in love. This song almost sounds a bit punk, but still has that distinct early new wave feel. ConclusionMy dad once told me nothing happened musically in the year 1980, but he was obviously wrong and I was obviously wrong for believing him for so long. The Feelies really signified the beginning of a new era of rock, fittingly called new wave. New wave led to the movements of the 90s, 2000s, and even 2010s. So we can really thank the Feelies for a lot. Not only is this album a strong debut, it's a strong signal of the oncoming new-wave era.
With that said, I'm off to get my actual schoolwork done. See you soon! Anyone who's read this blog would know that 2010s rock isn't my thing. Trust me. New school indie hasn't sounded appealing to me in any way since 2013. But recently, I've noticed a huge surge of artists coming onto the scene (or just creating new bands in that scene) who are truly unique and different. CRX is one of these bands. Ways To Fake ItOf course, I'll be saying that CRX sound very Strokes. But the vocal style of frontman Nick Valensi is very different from that of Julian Casablancas, and gives CRX a much tougher feel than the Strokes. The opening track of CRX really sets the vibe of the album, and even the band themselves. While Casablancas usually focuses on deep metaphors and lyrics that won't make sense on the surface. Valensi is very straightforward, which I appreciate. Broken BonesThis song sounds much darker than the opening track, and the guitar riff and percussion sound less like the Strokes. I guess that's kind of the point, though. You can't just be all Strokes all the time. While I could definitely see this riff fitting into a Strokes song, it definitely wouldn't sound the same. This song makes me want to fight my enemies in a warehouse. Give It UpThis track strays even further from the Strokes. This sounds like something from late 90s or early 00s punk rock. I'm not complaining, though. I don't think the vocals match the instrumentals very well, but that's fine. I also like the electronic elements in this song. Oh, by the way, did I ever mention my freshman year algebra 1 teacher taught math to Nick Valensi and his sister? That's unrelated to this review, but still a pretty cool fact. This song makes me feel dizzy, honestly. But in a good way, of course. AnythingThis song starts off with energetic guitar and synth which is always a good sign for me. Valensi's vocals are once again strong and energetic, which is something that makes this album really unique. I definitely have been enjoying the lighter, more enthusiastic songs on this album. This song definitely reminds me of the Strokes, and has a killer guitar solo, which is always something I like. WallsThis track has Nick Valensi's signature guitar style going full speed ahead. If I needed a song to sum up my Mario Kart experiences, this would be the song. I also noticed that the lyrics of this song really fit the fast-paced riff, considering Valensi frantically sings that he doesn't know what to make of it when everyone is faking it. And that guitar solo! Slow DownI would say this sounds a bit ska, but I'm hoping it goes somewhere else. This song reminds me of the Bravery's Above And Below. But yeah, it does sound a little ska. I can imagine hearing this in a Surf Taco in a mix of exclusively Sublime and Blink-182 (they're not ska! I know!). On EdgeThis could fit in with the playlist of old-school hard rock playing in Princeton Record Exchange tonight. This song has a nice guitar solo, and of course Nick Valensi's crunchy, repetitive vocals echoing through the whole song. UnnaturalThis album has made it very clear that Nick Valensi is straying from the metaphoric, pep-filled style of the Strokes and going for a darker, more intense sound. This song is reminding me of the Bowser's Castle level in Mario Kart Wii. That's weird, I guess, but adds to the feel of the song. One Track MindApart from the vocals, this song could very easily fit on the Strokes' First Impressions Of The Earth. Valensi's signature guitar style really shines through on this track, along with his strong and straightforward vocals. The bass on this track is also incredibly strong, as well as the percussion. This might be one of my favorite tracks on the album. Like most of this songs on this album, it has a very hard rock-esque guitar solo, which comes in at the end. Monkey MachineThis track is again very strong and has an intense, fast paced riff. The percussion is also very intense and fast paced, adding to the mood of the track. The guitar solo around halfway through the song also contributes a lot to the overall tone of this track. Overall, this is a very strong closing track to a very strong album. ConclusionIn conclusion, this album has done a great job showing Nick Valensi's potential outside of the usually upbeat tone of the Strokes. My one negative for this album is that the musical styles could have been a bit more diverse in the second half, because a lot of the upbeat vibes from the first half of the album were gone by the second half, and it started to get a bit repetitive. That's just my opinion, though, as everything is on this blog.
See you soon. Hey everybody! You may already know this, but I'm Liah from Twilight Collective, and this is my new series, Band Breakdown. In this series, I'll be going through the basics and things you should know about my favorite bands, and maybe some bands suggested by commenters. I'm starting off with a band I've loved for years and have accumulated a lot of knowledge and random facts about, and that band is The Strokes. Members and Origin StoryThe Strokes consist of frontman Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr (commonly referred to as AHJ), bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti (also known as Lil Fabrizio according to many fans). They met in high school in New York City's Lower East Side (my freshman year math teacher actually taught Nick Valensi and his sister, how cool is that?). They decided on the name The Strokes because they wanted their name to be ambiguous. The word 'stroke' can be interpreted in many ways, from a romantic context to a medical context to even an athletic context if you're a field hockey player like I am. DiscographyThe Strokes have five studio albums: Is This It (2001) Room On Fire (2003) First Impressions Of Earth (2006) Angles (2011) and finally (for now), Comedown Machine (2013). The Strokes also released an EP, called Future Present Past, in June of 2016. All of the Strokes, excluding Fabrizio Moretti, have ongoing solo or side projects. Julian Casablancas - JC And The Voidz, Solo Career Nick Valensi - CRX (on my radar as one of my favorite rock bands of the 2010s) Albert Hammond Jr - Solo Career Nikolai Fraiture - Summer Moon Songs You Should Know:The songs listed below are classic Strokes hits that every listener should know. You don't have to like, dislike, or have any opinion on them. Someday - Is This It Last Nite - Is This It Reptilia - Room On Fire The End Has No End - Room On Fire You Only Live Once - First Impressions Of Earth Macchu Pichu - Angles Two Kinds Of Happiness - Angles My Top PicksThese are my personal favorite songs by The Strokes. Again, you don't have to agree with this list, and they're in chronological order rather than a countdown because that's too stressful for me, to be honest. Luckily, I've included at least one song from every album. Yay! Barely Legal - Is This It Between Love And Hate - Room On Fire You Talk Way Too Much - Room On Fire Heart In A Cage - First Impressions Of Earth (if I had to choose a favorite Strokes song, this would be the one) You Only Live Once - First Impressions Of Earth Two Kinds Of Happiness - Angles Gratisfaction - Angles All The Time - Comedown Machine Oblivius - Future Present Past ConclusionIf you want a New York City 2000s band that brought the rate of haircuts down for the city from 2001 to 2006, the Strokes are the way to go. If you want something a bit more mellow, how about Interpol? Maybe some Yeah Yeah Yeahs?
Okay. Maybe eventually. But right now, on a sunny summer day on the east coast, the Strokes are the way to go. Please comment some bands I could write about in the next Band Breakdown, or even some more fun facts about The Strokes that I could include in an updated version of this article. Bye for now. I'l be off reminiscing of that one 70 degree day in February when I walked all around NYC wearing a sleeveless dress, just because I could. That's how The Strokes make me feel. Peace out. Honestly, I don't really have many moments where music just ~clicks~ with me anymore. I found the genre and time period I liked and just stuck with it. The thing is, Hidden Gems don't have to stick to any time period or genre. They're just artists I think deserve more recognition. Hidden Gems are the artists who make me think "yeah, I like this, okay, more of this!!!" Cut Off Your Hands made me have that ~musical clicking~ moment. I watched the music video for their song Turn Cold and instantly fell in love. I mean, just TRY to watch this video without falling in love. Yeah. I know. You just clicked, didn't you? Another reason I love Cut Off Your Hands is because they are often compared to the Smiths, another band I've started listening to this year. Cut Off Your Hands have two full releases, titled You And I (2008) and Hollow (2011). They also have two EPs, titled Shaky Hands (2006) and Happy As Can Be (2008). (Shaky Hands was originally the name of the band, but they had to change it due to copyright. I like the new name better.) Another song I love by Cut Off Your Hands is Oh Girl, which was released on You And I. The music video for this song is linked above, so I highly suggest you give it a listen. This music video reminds me a lot of Ok Go, and I really love the sound of the song, too. Although many comparisons have been made to other bands, Cut Off Your Hands have a truly unique and energetic sound that can't be done justice by comparisons. The above link is their newest song, titled Hate Somebody. The vibes in this song have switched from the Smiths to Talking Heads and Franz Ferdinand, according to a few YouTube commenters. Cut Off Your Hands have recently informed us via Twitter that they are in the studio working on new material. Now is the perfect time to become a fan, so you can appreciate their new releases as soon as they come out. So, yeah. If you like any of the artists I've mentioned in this article, or even if you don't like any of them, I strongly encourage you to give Cut Off Your Hands a listen or two (or three, or four, or as many as your heart desires. My heart's at about nonstop repeat for eternity).
I just downloaded the rest of their discography because I had $25 in iTunes and I have no impulse control when it comes to music. Anyway... Give Cut Off Your Hands a listen. I'm sure you'll love them. Peace out and see you soon! Most of the time when a musician screws up mid-gig, you feel kind of bad for them, like when Nick McCarthy screwed up nearly everything that could possibly go wrong in a performance of Evil Eye, all while looking generally depressed, or when someone from Interpol screwed up during their Spotify session performance of All The Rage Back Home. Those instances made me feel bad. Like a real person with human emotions and compassion and empathy. I don't feel bad for Van Halen in the video I am about to link. I feel no sympathy. I feel nothing. This video has rendered me emotionless, unable to react to whatever went down in Greensboro, North Carolina on this warm summer night in 2007. I was introduced to this video via a Cracked Spit Take video. I don't even know how I reacted when I first saw it. I think I just stared at my screen and didn't know whether I should laugh or just keep staring. I pretty much grew up listening to Van Halen. My dad was a teenager in the 80s and of course the music you listen to as a teenager sticks around so I heard a lot of them. It was also around the time of their big reunion and the induction of Wolfgang Van Halen as bassist. So, obviously, being five years old I thought Van Halen were the coolest people around. This video would have either crushed my dreams or just made me really, really confused.
Honestly, the video is kind of sad until David Lee Roth bounces around on a giant inflatable microphone for an extremely uncomfortable amount of time. I can kind of feel bad for Eddie, who is desperately trying to make the mess of a backing track sound like something, but that sympathy fades away when David starts walking away from the main part of the stage. That's when the reality of the video sets in. This is real, this is happening, and no one cares. If you ever think you did something embarrassing, just remember it most likely wasn't 'David Lee Roth bouncing around on a giant inflatable microphone for an extremely uncomfortable amount of time while Eddie Van Halen plays the garbage disposal in the background' embarrassing. Have a great day. MRIs aren't fun. We all know it. I had an especially eventful one a few days ago. Here's the story of the scariest, most stressful MRI of my life.So, first of all, I had to wear possibly the ugliest pants in the world since my jeans had metal on them. Here's a mirror selfie from after the MRI (I'll explain everything later) Then, they had to take blood. That was awful. I hate the feeling of anything going into my body. That was over quick, though, but when they actually put the tube in me it HURT. At the last MRI I had, they didn't do a tube, so I didn't really know what if was supposed to feel like. Anyway, I went back to where my mom was sitting and instantly had a mini panic attack. "Liah, it's fine!" "IDONTLIKEITIDONTLIKEITIDONTLIKEIT" Before I could say anything else, Kevin, the best person ever, led me back to the monitor room. The doctors were blasting The Weeknd and chatting and having a good time. I felt calm despite the awful, stinging pain in my right arm. Kevin left and Lily led me to the MRI room. I laid back on the MRI table and Orquedia tested my IV to see if it was in right. In conclusion, after lots of nearly-crying from me, it wasn't. They tried another place on my right arm, but again failed. They had to call in Kevin. Kevin, my favorite person ever, came to the back room and calmly inserted an IV into my left arm. It worked! After that fiasco was over, Orquedia asked me what music I wanted to listen to. I asked if it was Pandora, and it was. After five seconds of indecision, I decided that I wanted to listen to the Strokes because it was a nice summer day in New York and what else would I listen to? Also, whatever I listened to would be broadcasted to the doctors in the first room, so I couldn't listen to anything too weird, but I still had to impress them with what I listened to. It was all chill at first. I was listening to some Julian Casablancas song that I don't remember the name of. They were telling me when to breathe and not breathe. It smelled like bagels. The next song was weird, and I honestly don't even remember what it was. Suddenly, my right arm started twitching like crazy. I looked up at the ceiling of the MRI tube and pretty much hallucinated a kaleidoscope from fear and blood loss. My left arm, where the tube was, started to sting too. But then, there was a moment. Through the horribly crackly headphones, I heard a voice say 'take me out' really quietly. Was it Kevin? No. I heard some guitars start up and quickly realized it was a live version of Franz Ferdinand's Take Me Out. I nearly started crying and I whisper-sang to the ceiling of the MRI tube. It was a blessed moment. "You're going to feel a cold rush in your arm in about two minutes, okay?" I accepted that fact and continued silently jamming out while the kaleidoscope continued wherever I looked. The cold rush was EXTREMELY COLD. And it happened just as the riff changed in Take Me Out. It was probably the most intense moment of my life. I felt like everything was ending. I was getting dizzy. I had to close my eyes because I couldn't focus on anything. The MRI ended shortly after that as the Strokes' Automatic Stop played in the headphones. The only problem was I couldn't move my arms, hence why my left arm was FULLY EXTENDED in the mirror selfie. My right arm still hurts. Ow. Anyway, I've always been a believer in the theory that music really changes a situation. Without any music playing in that MRI I'm sure I wouldn't have been as calm as I was (barely calm at all!).
That's really all I have to say. Sorry for being so behind on posting, by the way! I'm experiencing some serious writer's block and also my arm still hurts, which is unrelated but still important. Stay cool. Hot Hot Heat have been one of the bands that's been sort of a constant in my life for a few years now. I first heard them on Yo Gabba Gabba when I was around 6 or 7 (I don't really remember, ok??) and since I (re)discovered them at the same time I heard other bands I now love (the Strokes, Ok Go, etc). Last year, they released their final album, titled simply Hot Hot Heat. Let's get to the review! Kid Who Stays In The PictureThis song feels magical to me. Everything about it. Everything. Definitely a strong first track, and it has that classic Hot Hot Heat flair (or should I say flare? Because flares are fire and fire is hot and hot hot heat hahahaha). Modern MindSo far, this song reminds me of MGMT. The instrumentals are... A lot, to say the least, but it sound really good and not cluttered at all. Even though it has a sound that reminds me of MGMT, it still sounds like classic Hot Hot Heat. Pulling LeversI love how the guitar and piano mirror each other in the intro. The lyrics and vocals are also really nice, and I really like Steve Bays's vocal style. This album is wonderfully put together so far, and this song has a bit of a Room On Fire sound, which I love. Bobby Joan -- (y'know, this blog has to stay clean...)Contrary to what the title might have you thinking, this song is really sweet and nearly nostalgic, about changing and moving on from your old reputation and hometown. I also like the 'be yourself' message this song shows. The instrumentals are really nice, too. The guitar and synth kind of dance around the vocals, which is a theme I've noticed in many Hot Hot Heat songs. I also like the backup vocals. MagnitudeHonestly, I'd be lying if I said this wasn't the most beautiful song I've listened to in quite some time. I love the piano throughout the song, especially because it gives off this warm but far away vibe. I don't know why this song makes me feel so nostalgic, but it does. I love how all of the instruments play off each other, that effect gives the song a vibe that I can't even name. !!!INTERMISSION!!!Okay, I just found out Hot Hot Heat's frontman, Steve Bays (the first commenter on the blog, actually) nearly died last week. Steve, I'm so glad you're feeling better and we here at Twilight Collective wish you a speedy recovery!! Get some rest and rock on. Pet a dog or another fluffy and emotionally supportive animal. We love you!!!! Mayor Of The CityI'm starting to think this album is about a group of people all living in a town or city together. I mean, maybe it's just me, but I definitely feel those themes. I like the drums and guitar in this one, and of course Steve's vocals. This song went quite quickly for me, but in a good way! I didn't even have time to focus on the lyrics. Alaskan Midnight SunThis song seems really fun and light, but I think the lyrics suggest otherwise. Sorry, I'm really tired. I closed my eyes and really just felt this song and its lyrics. I like the playful guitar throughout this song. So far, this is my second favorite song on this album, right after Magnitude. Comeback of the CenturyThis song is giving me vibes similar to the Strokes' Angles, but it still sounds very Hot Hot Heat and definitely has their signature strong sound. I think I'll go back through this song and focus on the lyrics, since, like the Strokes, the instrumentals overpower the lyrical message. this album sure was the comeback of the century! Sad Sad SituationI really like the guitar in this song. It feels nearly beachy to me. I also like the synth and percussion. I really need some sleep. This song almost reminds me of Hot Hot Heat's song about going outside from Canadian/American kids' TV show Yo Gabba Gabba. I remember watching that episode and thinking the band were pretty cool dudes. I actually didn't know the bands were real bands until I found out Weezer were on it, and then found out many of my other favorite bands were on it too! Yeah, I'm really tired, but I liked this song a lot! I also like how a lot of the songs on this album stop suddenly, which is kind of the exact opposite of one of the other albums I've reviewed recently... The Memory's HereHot Hot Heat, you may be gone, but your memory will always stick around. This song was actually less synthy-sweet than I expected, with an energetic bass line right from the beginning. This song makes me want to go on a quest. I have a feeling this song is about the end of Hot Hot Heat, but I won't judge. Julian Casablancas's Out Of The Blue was about what he saw as disinterest with the Strokes, so you can see where I'm coming from. But Franz Ferdinand's Goodbye Lovers and Friends wasn't about the end of their career, so maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, a simple but powerful song with an important message. ConclusionHonestly, you get the same kind of rush reviewing a final album as you do a debut album. With a debut, it's this feeling that this is all they have out and that's all they can be judged on, but with a final album you feel like you have to find a message or a statement that represent's the band or artist's career, as that is the last you'll be hearing from them under that name. This album is by no means the death of Hot Hot Heat, but a revival of sorts. This album was strong, nostalgic, and definitely a good end to Hot Hot Heat's 17 year run.
Stay cool, I'll see you soon. I haven't been able to write much because of finals and other end of year events, but that'll change soon! Three albums are dropping per day lately and I'm reviewing an album that came out in 2005. Yep. Room On Fire is The Strokes' second album, and there is no way you can tell me it's a sophomore slump. It's comeback of the year, if you ask me. This album is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and I'm the amusement park employee making sure your seatbelt is fastened. But also, I'm on the rollercoaster. I am always on the rollercoaster. This album really got me through 2016, as I see the main themes of this album as growing up and moving on, which is exactly what I did. These are songs for the end of the school year. What Ever HappenedThe guitar in this song is so calm, it just makes the whole song have this melancholy vibe of moving on and growing up, which really, I think the whole album is about. Trying to find your way in the world. Julian's vocals work so well with this song, as its calm riff seems to mirror his vocals in a muffled, toned down way. Really just an excellent song, but doesn't follow the Room On Fire formula, which I'll explain when it shows up. ReptiliaI feel like singing along to this one. This song is definitely for a summer night out. The songs on the album feel warm to me, but something about Reptilia balances that out with an icy cold riff and an incredible solo. This is a song for badasses. If I could play guitar like just one person, it would definitely be Nick Valensi. His style is so all over the place throughout the Strokes and CRX, but it all has that same intense and quick vibe. But yeah, Reptilia is incredible. That bass, too. I love how the Strokes just add and subtract layers of instrumentals throughout their songs. Automatic StopThis song follows the Room On Fire formula, i.e. Starting off with one thing, and then moving into something totally different, usually when the vocals come in. You can still hear the intro all the way through in this one, though, which is definitely a good thing. The guitar in this one is so nice, and again the lyrics focus on pretty much just moving on. This album really does have a warm, melancholy vibe. Maybe that's why it's called Room On Fire. 12:51The thing I love most about this song is the synthy guitar riff that mirrors Julian's vocals. It really just adds a whole other layer to the song. The rhythm guitar in this one is really nice, too, and everything just seems to work together. It's beautiful. The percussion is really nice, too, which I know isn't often something I comment on, but the Strokes really nailed it here. You Talk Way Too MuchThe intro and the actual song are very different, once again. It's so good, though, and the guitar riff is so nice against Julian's vocals. And that guitar solo! I love how different Nick and Albert's guitar styles are, it really makes the Strokes sound the way they do. And again with those drums. So good!! And the lyrics, man. Just overall amazing. Between Love And HateThis song really has that melancholy moving on vibe I was talking about. Maybe it's just a me thing, though. This song really brings me back to last June when I was leaving my old school and didn't want to leave my friends behind and thought I would be fine on my own. Long story short, I wasn't. This song really did get me back then, though, and I still find it relatable to this day. Also that guitar. Nick Valensi, man. And Albert Hammond Jr. And that bass. Nikolai Fraiture! Just listing the Strokes over here, no big deal. Fabrizio Morretti! I just love the overall sound of this album, and that's why I'm thanking all of the Strokes for it. Meet Me In The BathroomThe bass and guitar work extremely well together on this song. Please slay me, Strokes, this song is so good. I can't even comment on it. It's so good. Wow. Yes. More of this. Everything just sounds so good. I think I'm going to have to list the Strokes again. Nice outro. Under ControlSO CALM. Love it. That melancholy, warm vibe again. This song reminds me of falling asleep on a boat. That's an obscure feeling, but hey, I've experienced it. Summer 2015! Such a calm song, though. I really appreciate the vibes on this album, they're so calming and honestly quite relatable. The Way It IsI love how the guitar in this song changes with Julian's vocals. It's really a good vibe, and isn't the vibe found in most of the songs on this album. It feels almost more intense, and I have to give credit to Nick, Julian, and Fabrizio on that one. Julian's voice always works really well with the guitar and percussion, especially on this song. The End Has No EndI listened to this song every day in seventh grade. Every freakin' day. I love this song, and the message is honestly really deep. 'The secret to the government is keeping you dumb?' Truuuuuuuuue. I love the synthy sound of the guitar, and the bass is really nice, too. This song has a vibe similar to Reptilia. I Can't WinThis song is tied for my favorite with Between Love And Hate. I love the guitar and the way it stays consistent throughout the song. Honestly, I think it makes the song the masterpiece it is. Julian's vocals are really nice, too, and don't sound as synth-y, scratchy, and edited as most of the other songs on this album (newer Strokes stuff sounds more synth-y, older Strokes stuff sounds a bit strained and with some effects). ConclusionAs this album is currently at #2 on the list of ten albums that have changed my life (article on that coming up... maybe), it's safe to say I love it. It has the guitar and vocal style that is particularly my favorite, and its themes of changing and moving on are very relatable. Unless I got it wrong and it's all about love like everything seems to be.
I'll see you guys soon. Stay chill. Hello, readers of earth and anyone else who happens to be surfing my internet wave. It has been a long two months at Twilight Collective in which we have been trying to get through reviews. The review have in fact not been gone through. But here's a review I'm actually quite confident in, because it's a classic case of 'I liked the first single so I'm already attached and will get this done quick.'
That's totally a thing, right? Okay, now onto the band intro. BNQT is a giant collab (supergroup?) which consists of a bunch of really cool people that I don't feel like listing because I'm probably going to skip someone, but they're from bands including Travis, Franz Ferdinand, Midlake, Band Of Horses, and Granddaddy. Anyway, let's go. |
About The AuthorLiah is a high school senior who plays guitar and loves the color yellow. She doesn't post much, but when she does, it's awesome. We promise.
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